Good times in the sun, friends, and refreshing drinks – it all sounds pretty rad. Beer, wine, and spirits festivals are a great source of warm weather entertainment. With such a fun opportunity at your fingertips, you want to be sure that you take full advantage of the experience. That’s why we’re gathered here today (electronically gathered, but in 2019 that still counts). We’re going to discuss what you need to know before attending an alcohol festival.
Before the Festival
Benjamin Franklin once said, “failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” We don’t know for sure that he was specifically talking about festivals, but we assume he was. With that in mind, let’s review what you need to take care of before the festival.
Eat a Snack Just Before the Festival
Any time you’re drinking alcohol of any kind, you want to make sure that you have some food in your stomach. Even if they plan on having food trucks at the event, you’ll want to make sure you have something in your stomach just in case you have to wait longer to eat.
Dress Appropriately
Dressing appropriately means that you need to think about the type of festival that you’re attending. Since many festivals are held outdoors and will carry on in all sorts of weather, you want to make yourself as comfortable as possible. It might be a scorching August day or a soggy June afternoon following heavy rains. Be prepared for the conditions, so you can enjoy the event to the fullest!
Bring Supplies
Make sure you pack your ID (for obvious reasons) and cash (to pay for things, like how money works). Those are the easy ones to remember. It’s also a good idea to bring hand sanitizer to outdoor festivals since a port-a-potty will be involved, and you can also bring a fairly large bag to carry the free giveaway items. Also, bring sunglasses and sunscreen if the conditions call for them. For indoor festivals, those last few items are less essential.
Do NOT pregame
Listen, you’re going to have plenty of opportunities to sip on your favorite beverages when you arrive at the festival. You don’t need to approach this like a party-happy college kid. Show up sober so you’ll have a chance to sample more drinks at the event and really enjoy each one.
Have a Plan
Because of the number of options at your disposal, you’ll want to go in with at least some semblance of a plan. Check and see if your favorites are there and scout a few new names to try. You can skim the festival information for names of intriguing brands then check their reviews to create a “must-try” list of drinks. This way you won’t leave with any regrets.
During the Festival
After you’ve done your homework and prepared for the festival, you might think it’s time for fun, and it is, but stay focused! Keep these things in mind as you have your fun.
Snack
A lot of the foods you’ll find at the outdoor festivals will be pricey, so see if you can bring your own snacks in. If you snack during the event, you’ll be more likely to drink responsibly since your stomach will filled.
Stay Hydrated
This should be a no-brainer, but people still make this mistake. Take advantage of the free water that should be available throughout the venue. On the off chance that the outdoor fest doesn’t have free water, bring a bottle of your own. You don’t want to be caught without anything to hydrate yourself, especially on a hot day.
Pace Yourself
At any festival that involves some sort of alcohol, there are always a couple of folks who get carried away with their drinking. Don’t be that guy or gal. Remain under control and remember that these festivals last for hours. You don’t need to be in any rush. Sip and savor your drinks.
Keep Track of the Drinks You Liked
Even if you aren’t one to geek out over the drinks you sample, you’ll still enjoy some more than others. Chances are that you’ll taste some drinks that you want to have again later. To ensure that you don’t forget, write down the names or take pictures. Later on when friends desperately ask, “what was that one we really liked?” you’ll be able to save the day by supplying an answer. Not all heroes wear capes.
Interact
This is a social experience, after all. Talk to vendors and fellow festival-goers. Ask plenty of questions about the product. You won’t often have this sort of opportunity to learn about your favorite drinks. The vendors love to talk about their brands, so engage with these people. They’ll feel happier and so will you.
After the Festival
Get a Ride
You’ve been drinking, so be smart. Don’t risk driving. Plan ahead to have a friend pick you up or use one of those ride-sharing apps, like Uber, Lyft, or some new one that was probably just created.
Give Yourself Time to Recover
Replenish your fluids after the festival and take time to relax. Again, these events are long, so you’re going to need a chance to rest.
Tips for Vendors
Event attendees aren’t the only ones who go to these things. For all you vendors out there, pay attention to our special tips for you.
Prepare All Necessary Paperwork
Event hosts will always have a series of forms for you to complete. Make sure these are all finished so you don’t have any hiccups.
Arrive on Time
Actually, we should probably change this to “arrive early.” Oh well, too late. Anyway, show up early so you have plenty of time to set up your station.
Abide by Health Department Requirements
There will be specific rules depending on where the festival takes place, so look into those before the event.
Be Prepared to Educate
The attendees are all excited to be there, and they want to learn about all the beverages available. Be ready to answer questions and engage with the fans. This is a great opportunity to grow your brand by showing off everything cool about it that most fans never find out.
Consider your Swag
Everyone likes free stuff! Especially with your cool logo on it. Consider giving away custom glasses, coasters, sunglasses or additional items that attendees can hold onto after the show. They’ll remember your brand – which is a win for you!
Spring is a popular time for folks to grab a refreshing beverage, which makes it an important time for you to be at the top of your marketing game. If you have any questions about how to market your brand, let us know. We’d be happy to grab a drink with you.
