The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year, but does require a good bit of preparation and know-how once you decide to go. Patrons camp for a minimum of five nights on acres of Tennessee farmland, and it’s up to attendees to come prepared to live and thrive at the festival. This list details everything I wish I knew before my week-long Manchester camping experience.
Packing essentials:
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You’re probably overpacking. you will most likely end up bringing things you won’t use once and food you will forget to eat. Keep this in mind to avoid overstuffing your car with unnecessary items.
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It gets really hot during the day, but surprisingly cold at night on the farm. Plan your wardrobe accordingly.
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When you leave your campsite for the day, make sure you have everything you need with you in your backpack. No one wants to make the long trek back and forth multiple times a day from Centeroo to your tent.
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While many festivals inspire people to plan out elaborate and fashion-forward outfits, Bonnaroo holds more of a focus on comfort than looking cute. Getting ready in a tent, not showering for multiple days, and using a portable restroom as the main bathroom are all factors that contribute to this.
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The showers are not the nicest, and in general admission you have to pay to use them so many people choose to go without showering. Deodorant is a necessity.
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Sunglasses.
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Sunscreen. Use it.
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Bring your own toilet paper into the festival. Bring foods that you don’t need to keep cool.
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Bring multiple gallons of water. It is extremely important to stay hydrated in the scorching heat.
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Burn fun mix CDs and scour your CD collections for music for the trip and at the campsite, since your phone will likely not have service to play music or a consistent place to charge.
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Bring jumper cables in case your car dies while parked at the campsite. This happens often.
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Try not to bring valuable items, since your tent is technically open for anyone to enter. If you do bring something expensive, lock it up in your car.
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A portable canopy, typically used for tailgating, is essential for hanging out under during the day and in the mornings when the tent will be too hot to bear.
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For campsite supplies, make sure to pack lanterns, fans, blankets and chairs.
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While there are places scattered throughout the grounds to charge your phone, bring a portable charger so you don’t have to sit at a charging station for hours at a time.
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I cannot stress this enough: bring comfortable shoes. You will be walking A LOT.
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Be prepared for lots of bugs, mostly spiders and ants.
The 16th annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will be held June 8-11 in Manchester, Tennessee.
