Ireland’s favourite festival gets underway today and revelers around the country are still clamouring to get their hands on the last camping chairs and ground sheets in the country. If you’re heading for EP once it hits quitting time today, it may be time for one final checklist…
Please note, this list does not include tickets and a tent, because if you haven’t already sorted that, there is no hope for you.
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1. Baby wipes
Tesco issued a press release earlier this week about the rise in sales of baby wipes. That’s how important they are. There is no such thing as too many. Used on hands, face, muddy welly… and when you’ve eaten too many gourmet burgers the night before. We don’t need to paint that picture any further.
2. Black plastic bags
A makeshift poncho, your rubbish bag, a way to sit down in a damp field without freezing your ass off – black plastic bags have a multitude of uses on a festival weekend, so pack a roll.
3. Cash
By all means bring your bank card, but don’t go empty-handed when it comes to cash. You’ll be paying for almost everything you buy on site in cash so make sure you’ve been to the ATM before you go. There are on-site ATMs, but the queues can be insane, and who wants to walk miles towards one when all you want is a cup of tea but you’re down to your last fifty cents.
4. Wellies
Yes, the weather is supposed to be lovely this weekend, but when have we ever trusted Irish weather predictions? Campsites get mucky anyway, and you certainly don’t want to be going anywhere near the Portaloo queues in your flip-flops.
It gets a little like this near the toilets, you want to be well covered up…
5. Booze
A festival weekend can become very, very expensive quite quickly if you’re drinking and you’re paying premium prices for every round. Bring some alcohol with you to the campsite. Official rules allow for 48 cans per person or less to be brought onto the campsite, and remember that glass is not allowed for safety reasons, so if you have bottles, make sure they’re plastic.
6. Food
Again, a cost saving measure. The food options at Electric Picnic will be varied and there are some delicious options to try, but it’s always good to have some snacks left in the tent, even if it’s just for those occasions when you really don’t feel like joining a queue.
7. Water
A multipack of 500ml bottles is perfect. It’s important to stay hydrated, and you’ll be reaching for them the minute you wake up. Also useful for washing out camping utensils, brushing your teeth and rinsing the mud off your shoes.
8. Dry shampoo
More for the ladies than the menfolk, but dry shampoo is an absolute savior on a festival weekend. Go minimal on the cosmetics packing, some tinted moisturiser, a lip balm and mascara should see you right, but trust us on the dry shampoo.
The saviour of lazy campers everywhere, and all of us on your average Wednesday
9. Torch
If you’re arriving late on Friday evening you may need more than one while you’re pitching the tent, but every camper should have a torch. Try finding something in your tent in the pitch black and you’ll see why.
10. Camera
Don’t bring any more valuables than you need to, but you really should have some way of recording your experience. If your phone camera is up to the task, go with that. If you want a more fun photo experience, pick up a few disposables and enjoy the surprise when your snaps come back.
11. Large Towel
If you plan to make use of the shower facilities you’ll need this. It’s also useful as a makeshift pillow, just wrap your towel around a bundle of clothes.
12. Parka/Poncho/Raincoat
Again, it doesn’t matter what the forecast is – at some point, it will rain. This is an Irish festival, and as such, rain is going to happen, it’s just a matter of when. Wandering around soaked to the skin is zero craic, so get thee to the nearest Penneys and pick up a poncho to throw over your carefully thought out outfit.
Look how happy this woman is. It’s because she has a poncho.
13. Good mates
A festival weekend is what you make of it, and ninety per cent of the fun you have will be determined by the company you keep. Round up your troops and arrange to camp beside each other. A little village of tents is a good move in terms of safety, and it also means your campsite fun will rival any had in the main arena. Craic = sorted.
Her.ie will be at EP this weekend snapping some pictures and reporting on stories from the festival. If you spot us, make sure and say hi!
7-Up Free is asking people to submit what will uplift their summer. They will be giving away lots of prizes throughout the summer for the best entries. To be in with a chance to win people can enter via Twitter using the hashtag #upliftmysummer or they can enter via Facebook or the website www.7up.ie. Whether they want a weekly Friday ice cream to brighten their day or tickets to one of the hottest festivals in Europe, the 7-Up Free team might just make it happen!
