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How to Survive an Outdoor Music Festival. Summer concert extravaganzas are a lot of
fun, but present a lot of challenges, too. This checklist will help you make the most
of the experience. You will need Cash Water Cooler Right clothes Carabiners Tent and tarp
Tent stakes Flag Flashlight Sunscreen Hat Rain boots Pocket poncho Sealable plastic
bags Tissues Baby wipes Earplugs Lozenges Water-filled milk jugs (optional) Trash bags
(optional) and duct tape (optional). Step 1. Bring more cash than you think you'll need.
ATM lines are long, fees are high, and food and beverages are expensive. The same goes
for water: it's important to stay hydrated and water station lines can be brutal. Fill
milk jugs with water, freeze them, and stash in your cooler. Step 2. Wear comfortable,
closed, waterproof walking shoes. Consider wearing cargo pants so you have plenty of
pocket space; stuff a spare T-shirt into one. Use carabiners to secure your keys and a water
bottle. Step 3. Besides bringing a tent to sleep in, take along a tarp for eating under
and escaping the sun. Invest in heavy-duty stakes; the ones that come with the tent and
tarp may be too flimsy to penetrate the ground. Mark it with an unusual flag and bring a flashlight
so you can easily find it, day or night. Lock valuables in your car trunk; they won't be
safe in your tent. Step 4. Bring plenty of sunscreen even if it's not sunny, plus a hat;
a sunburned scalp and ears are no fun. Wear tall rain boots if the forecast is gloomy,
and pack a pocket poncho just in case. If it does rain, stash your cell phone in a sealable
plastic bag. Trash bags and duct tape can be turned into rain gear in an emergency.
Step 5. Have tissues on hand when you use the portable toilets. Use baby wipes as a
shower stand-in. Step 6. Take earplugs along in case the music is uncomfortably loud, you
can't stand one of the bands, or you just need a little peace and quiet. Throat lozenges
are a good idea, too, after days of yelling over music. Did you know Milwaukee, Wisconsin's
Summerfest is the world's largest outdoor music festival, with as many as a million
attendees over 11 days.