Preparing for a Music Festival

Tickets? Check. Transportation? Check. Beer? CHECK. Friends and family on board? Check and check.

So, the basics in advance of your camping trip during Lakes Jam are covered. So, what else??

If you’re one of the hundreds of folks planning to camp out for the weekend, you’ve probably already made your “must pack” list, and checked it twice.

But, as anyone who’s ever set off on a vacation of any length knows, there will always be that short list of forgotten odds and ends that you wish you’d thought about before hitting the road.

So, in advance of the summer’s big Brainerd Lakes area party, here’s a short list of things you’re gonna want to have on hand.

EXTRA WATER AND BOTTLE

This one might seem pretty obvious, but it’s essential. Our advice? Pack the amount of water you think you’ll need...and then double it. With all the food, beer and dancing at Lakes Jam, hydration is key to keeping you going. Be ready!

BABY WIPES

Camping is messy business, which is always expected. BUT, there are going to be times when you’ll want to freshen up, quickly and simply. Bring a stockpile of wet wipes for your hands and face. It’s an easy, low-commitment way to freshen up all weekend long.

HEADLAMP / FLASHLIGHT

Summer days are long, but sooner or later, it’s gonna get dark. Don’t get stranded, wandering around, looking for a bathroom or something you dropped without a light source. Headlamps are a nice, hands-free option, but a good old fashioned flashlight will also come in handy. 

SUNBLOCK AND BUG REPELLENT

It’s MINNESOTA! Don’t forget these two crucial products. You can live without shampoo and body lotion. But if anything has the potential to ruin your Lakes Jam weekend, it’s a body riddled with burns and bug bites!

FIRST AID KIT

We DO have a first aid kiosk here at Lakes Jam, but if you’re in need of something simple like an aspirin or a band-aid, it’s pretty nifty to have that on hand - rather than spend valuable jammin’ time looking for one. 

TOILET PAPER

Here’s one that needs to make it onto any pre-music fest camping checklist. Of course, toilet paper is provided in our numerous restrooms, but let’s face it - there are a ton of people at Lakes Jam. Coming prepared with your own rolls of Charmin will ensure you’re not caught at the porta-potty empty-handed. 

EXTRA SOCKS

Wet socks are a bummer, especially at night when the temperature drops. Make sure you have a few extra pairs stuffed in your bag. 

CHARGER / EXTRA BATTERY

If you’re like me, you’re so used to plugging your phone into the same charger, attached to the same outlet, every day. And, in the excitement leading up to your Lakes Jam trip, you may forget to detach it from it’s home base. Well, consider this your reminder. After all, a phone is more than a phone - it’s your camera for capturing all the memories of the weekend!

EARPLUGS
Not the most rock and roll reminder, but if you’re planning to get close to the monitors, you might want to pack some ear plugs. Party on - and save your hearing in the process!

SMALL BAG

Last but not least, you’re going to want a small bag for all of these essentials when you’re on the go! For the adventurous, we suggest a nice, hands-free fanny pack. You’re camping; it doesn’t matter what you look like! 

Here’s what we’ve put together. If you have any tips about what not to forget in advance of a Lakes Jam campout, add a comment below!

Click here to purchase Lakes Jam Tickets!

Festival camping 101: Lakes Jam Camping Options

So you think you have what it takes to camp like a rockstar? These tips will help you go toe-to-toe with mother nature and come back victorious...or at least with your dignity and self-respect.

Plan…DUH!
Rockstars often don’t know where they’re going...that’s the tour manager’s job. You don’t have a tour manager, so hike up your skirt and take charge of the trip. You don’t have to follow a strict agenda, but knowing where the bathrooms are and WHO is playing WHEN helps.

Who Packed Toilet Taper?
What to bring along is crucial. Too much and you risk looking like a “Can’t-Hack-It”, bring too little and you risk leaving your friends in a situation like this:

Just remember enough clothes to go through the weather and enough from home to be sure someone won’t notice you borrowing their toothbrush. Camping like a rockstar is less about baggage and more about necessities!

Pick Your Campsite Style
Picking the site is just as important as remembering where it is. It’s like deciding where to park. The spot closest to the action might make leaving less of a choice and more of a waiting game. Do your research on the differences between each site and pick one suited to your camping style. Are you camping with the comfort of an RV , or do you just need a place to keep your stuff out of the rain while you are off scouting for Bret Michaels?

Visit our interactive map.

Respect the Badger
You’ve got it all put together; bags are packed, site is chosen, and the dog is fed. Sure...you can almost predict the weather and you can almost be sure that your tent doesn't have a hole in it, but mother nature can be highly unpredictable. Take this last tip with you. Respect your surroundings or prepare to stare mother nature in the face: 

Michaels and Wilson Give Back

With the frigid weather we have been having recently, it’s nice to escape the cold by thinking about summer. Summer thoughts include going out on the lake, having barbecues, and spending nights around a bonfire but don’t forget -- it also means Lake Jam!

2014's featured artists include Bret Michaels and Gretchen Wilson. These two artists are not only hard working individuals who provide you with your favorite tunes, but they are also working hard outside of the music industry by giving back to causes that they care about.

photo credit: Travel Channel

Bret Michaels is highly involved in a number of charities. As someone who has had diabetes since the age of six, he has always been passionate about charities and organizations involving the disease. When he became a competitor on the television show Celebrity Apprentice, he was able to win $500,000 for the American Diabetes Association along with an additional $250,0000 from Snapple to go towards researching a cure for the condition. Another television show Bret competed on for charity was Don’t Forget the Lyrics. From competing, he was able to win $250,000 for both St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 

Aside from charities and organizations, Bret is also a strong supporter of our troops. In 2013, he was honored for his ongoing support of our soldiers including his trips into actual war zones in Iraq and Kuwait to perform for troops while risking his own life. Bret Michaels is one artist who uses his celebrity status to do what he can to try to change the world through supporting charities and organizations and we're honored to have him join us at Lakes Jam 2014. 

Another artist who uses her celebrity status to give back to charities is Gretchen Wilson, who rose to fame in 2004 with her hit “Redneck Woman”. She is an active supporter of charities and organizations involving children, adult education, and the fight to end obesity. In just a few short years, she was able to raise over $1.5 million through her performances for children’s charities including St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation. She was also a national spokesperson for Country Bands Together, a national obesity education and counseling/support campaign. 

These two artists are not only talented, but they also have huge hearts. Giving back is something many celebrities do, and it’s great to learn some of their passions outside of music. We can’t wait for Bret and Gretchen to make an appearance at Lake Jam this year along the other great artists who are a part of the lineup.

Tickets and full-service campsites for Lakes Jam 2014 (June 26-28) are now available. Come join us for 15 bands, 3 days and 1 big party!