Athfest 2011: EoA's Guide to Athfest: Things to Bring

Echoreyn of Athens' Guide to Athfest

Things to Bring

• Sunscreen

- It gets hot out there, so be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of it, the higher the SPF, the better. You might also consider bringing along a hat. After all, tunes are no fun when you're burned to a crisp!

• Water (and other hydrating drinks)

- Dehydration is a serious problem in Athfest-level heat, so make sure to keep yourself stocked with plenty of liquids especially since drinks bought at the festival can be pretty expensive. Also, if you're feeling overheated, be sure to step into some shops or seek out some shade. I've had heat stroke at Athfest several times, and trust me, it's no picnic.

• A Raincoat or Umbrella

- It rains at Athfest almost every year, and this time around, it's practically a guarantee, so come prepared. Since all of the shows during the day are outdoors, it's a very likely possibility that you will get wet. Also, if you're on Twitter, you can follow @athensgaweather for in-depth weather details.

• Snacks

- If you'll be spending all day at the festival, you'll need more than just the free samples you collect from the booths to keep you on your feet. Bring along a sandwich or some energy bars for the road.

• Money

- Chances are, you'll find a band whose tunes you just love. Or maybe, something in one of the artists' booths will catch your eye. Or hey, perhaps you'll be craving a bit more food and drink than you brought with you. No matter what, you'll need to remember to bring some cash so that that CD, t-shirt, or Snow Cone can be yours!

• Wristband and ID

- If you're participating in the nighttime venue crawl, this one's a must! I suggest keeping your wristband on throughout the weekend (it's waterproof) or attaching it to something you'll always bring with you, like a purse.

• Schedule of Bands You Want to See

- Make a list of bands you're dying to catch in action along with all the info on where and when they're playing so that you can make the most of your Athfest experience! Not sure which of the almost 200 bands you should go see? Check back tomorrow for Echoreyn of Athens' Athfest show picks list!

• Phone

- If you come to Athfest with friends, chances are you'll want to split up at some point to catch different bands or take breaks from the heat in some of the air-conditioned shops downtown. Don't forget your phone so that you can catch up with them again later! Also, you can follow @echoreyn on Twitter for all kinds of Athfest updates too.

• Camera

- Athfest is a wild, awesome, and incredible experience! Bring along a camera to capture your favorite memories of the weekend.

And most importantly, bring a sense of fun and get ready to rock!