Telluride Blues and Brews 2016

The festival is rapidly approaching and today I am dialing in my final packing job.
I figured I could share some of what I consider to be the most important items on my list, so that way if and when you find yourself in a similar situation, you’ll be as prepared as possible.

HAT
Protect your eyes and your nose – wear your favorite radio station’s hat! And tell everyone about community radio.


Earplugs
No, not for the shows. That’s silly. I want to be blown away by SOUND the entire time.
Have you seen Joe Walsh shred lately? Or have you listened to Anders Osborne croon? No way I’m missing that. But I DO want to get some sleep in order to enjoy my days picking my way through the beer garden and dropping-my-jaw during great sets. So, here’s where the earplugs come in.
I’ll be hanging out at the Telluride Blues and Brews campground Friday and Saturday night, and the good news is, there’s going to be LIVE MUSIC even where I’m sleeping. Campground sessions – acoustic sets by TBB artists, like Moreland and Arbuckle, will play in the early evening before the headliners right in the campground. A great way to wrap up your mid-afternoon recharge-nap and get excited about that night’s headliners. But what about after the headliners? It’s late, I’m beat, and I’m ready to go to bed, but there just so happens to be party-central happening the next tent over. Oof. How am I going to be able to give all of my alert, awake attention to Mick Fleetwood if I can’t get to sleep? 
Oh year. EARPLUGS.
Bring ‘em, people. That being said, there is nothing wrong with meeting friends, having some fun and getting a little crazy after that day’s shows. But we all know we have to sleep sometime, so bring those squishy, wonderful sleep-aids.

Sunscreen
This one isn’t funny. I’m very pale. Pretty much life or death if I forget the SPF. Always wear sunscreen, KAFM cares about you.

Hydration pack
Water is so important at festivals. It’d probably be the first line in the MUSIC FESTIVAL 101 MANUAL, if that manual existed. Dehydration is lame, so don’t do it. But here’s the thing about Telluride Blues and Brews - the sun isn’t the only thing that is threatening to dry me out. I mean, it’s called Blues and BREWS, so you know that beer is big part of this fiesta. With Sierra Nevada as the official sponsor, along with Ska Brewing, Telluride Brewing Company, Durango Brewing Company, Bonfire Brewing, and Big B’s Hard Cider being around all weekend, it is more crucial than EVER that I keep a decent supply of water on hand. Not to mention that there will be 56 other breweries there on Saturday. I cannot wait to sample so many different, exciting beers! But it’s important to match alcohol with water, so you’ll see me with a big hydration pack on back as well as a beer in hand.


Stamps and Postcards
Your friends and family might not have had time off work or a break in obligations this weekend, so they may not be at the festival with you. It’s very important you send them postcards about how much fun they’re missing out on, so next time they’ll figure out a way to come with you. So make sure to bring some postcards from your favorite local community radio station for the purpose of reminding your friends and family how much they’re not doing this weekend.