MUST-HAVES FOR CALGARY FOLK FEST

The time has come. Calgary Folk Music Festival is back for 2014 and the city is buzzing with excitement. After last year’s triumphant recovery of Prince’s Island Park after the flood, it was a weekend to remember and I can’t imagine this year being any different.

Of course, beyond your festival wristband you always need some major essentials to tote along with you as you essentially ‘day-camp’ for four days in the park. Besides bringing cash to spend at all of the super delicious food trucks and eateries (seriously good food) make sure you bring a comfortable festival chair or pillow to sit on because Saturdays and Sundays can be long without having something to cozy up on. Also, sunscreen and bug spray are probably a good idea. Sunscreen for daytime and bug spray for night when the mosquitos all emerge from their secret hiding places.

Beyond that, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite items that just make folk fest that much better. Since tarping is a long and honoured tradition of the Calgary Folk Fest, it is pretty much a necessity that you need to pick up a tarp exactly for that reason. Top it with a super cozy blanket like one from Pendleton and you’ll have something to wrap around you as the night gets cooler and you the main stage acts begin. And since you need something to mark your tarp in the sea of tarps, get the kids involved in painting a colourful pinwheel to stake out your spot. Bright, colourful and fun; you’ll be able to use it for years afterwards.

Being eco-friendly is all part of being a folk-fester so bring a handy reusable drinking cup so you don’t ever have to toss away another cup. And since you’ll want to be comfortable throughout the entire weekend, pack a couple more essentials into a cute and summery backpack like this one from Herschel. An umbrella is a must as it rains almost every year - even just for a minute. Also, since you’ll want to be walking easy as you make your way through the grounds, why not invest in the ultimate folk fest-er’s wardrobe item - a pair of Birkenstock sandals. Luckily, they are on trend this season so you can rest easy that no one will make fun of you this year for donning them.

You also absolutely have to visit the Market Collective x Calgary Folk Fest artist market at Eau Claire during your time down at the grounds. Some of Calgary’s most amazing creative minds and artists will be down there flogging their wares. It is going to be a great shopping opportunity and is always one of my favourite parts of Folk Fest.

Where to Shop:

Blue Tarp, Dollarama (232 8th Avenue SW)

Pendleton Blanket, Hanson’s Fishing Outfitters

Sip Sip Tumbler, The Bay

Rain or Shine Umbrella, The Bay

Herschel Napsack, Little Burgundy

Birkenstocks, Soft Moc

Paint a Pinwheel, Indigo

Tagged as: calgary folk fest, clothing, fashion, festival wear, Folk Music, music, street style