Come prepared
A Cavendish Beach Music Festival survival guide
Holly Rogers is no rookie when it comes to the Cavendish Beach Music Festival (CBMF).
The Halifax native is attending the festival for the eighth year in a row with her mother Susan, aunt Anna and cousins Jennifer and Brandon in a Rogers family excursion.
She says the excitement begins when the lineup is announced in December and continues until the final act.
“We love it. We look forward to it every year.”
Rogers says she has learned a few things along the way to enjoy the festival to its fullest. Her advice?
“You need to come prepared so that you are not hungry, thirsty and sunburnt because all of those things can lead to a poor experience,” she said. “We always bring rain ponchos even when we think it’s going to beautiful because you just never know.”
Environment Canada’s forecast shows showers today with a high of 22 C. It is calling for a mix of sun and cloud on Sunday
with a high of 26 C.
Alanna Green, prevention and safety co-ordinator with the Canadian Red Cross on P.E.I., has several weather-related recommendations.
Green says people should step into shelters or shaded areas whenever possible to take breaks from the sun.
She said people should wear a minimum SPF 15 sunscreen, long and light clothing, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats (like cowboy hats).
She also stresses the importance of staying hydrated when out in the sun for extended periods of time.
“Drink lots of fluids before you feel thirsty. If you are waiting until you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.”
Green says water is the best choice followed by fruit juice. She says people should avoid drinking tea, coffee or alcohol since they are very dehydrating during extreme heat.
However, Green recognizes some people may be drinking alcohol at the festival, so she recommends having a drink of water after every drink of alcohol.
If you are drinking, don’t drive, said Sgt. Leanne Butler with Queens District RCMP.
“You will be prosecuted, if you are caught,” she said.
Numerous taxis and a shuttle service are avilable to take concertgoers to their accommodations.
Green said some heat-related symptoms include dizziness, nausea, extreme thirst or rapid heart rate. She said if people are feeling any of those symptoms, they should seek medical attention.
There is an Island EMS tent set up by the entrance to the festival grounds.
Jeff Squires, president of Whitecap Entertainment which produces the festival, said paramedics are there to help.
“When you have 24-25 thousand people around, you are going to have some bumps and bruises and accidents that happen,” said Squires.
He said the best way to make sure the festival is an enjoyable experience is to plan in advance and come early.
Rogers also suggested showing up early to ensure the perfect seats, bring portable power banks (for cellphones) and frozen bottled water.
“Everybody can bring in the one-litre bottle of water but we freeze ours the night before so that it stays cold for most of the day.”
Nova Scotian sisters Glenda and Tina LeBlanc are attending the festival for the third year in a row.
They said they saved $600 in accommodation fees for the weekend by staying in Charlottetown, which helps when doing the festival on a budget.
Glenda also has another helpful tip – don’t wear flip-flops. Instead, she suggests wearing something comfortable, like sneakers.
Tina suggested bringing rubber boots in case it rains and to wear little backpacks instead of carrying a purse.
They said they are getting a little wiser each year when it comes to being prepared for the festival. Glenda now has a checklist to ensure they don’t forget anything.