Are you planning a music festival? Booking bands, securing a venue, getting permits, and securing staff and necessities is a huge undertaking, but if you want to put on a truly great festival, you may want to go a step further, and look into providing some non-musical entertainment options. After all, while listening to music for hours on end may be absolute heaven for some people, others may having enjoy a few more entertainment options to explore. Read on for some great ideas for non-musical entertainment (& considerations for all ages) at your music festival.
1. Jenga Competitions & Other Outdoor GamesIt doesn’t get much simpler than this! Get some large wooden blocks, and set them out on a flat surface for a Jenga competition. You may be surprised at how much fun this simple entertainment can be! If you want a few games for people to choose from, consider adding these classics: Croquet, Ladderball, or event Bocce ball.
2. Food
Food tents are a must, but why stop at simple cheeseburgers and hot dogs? Mix up your offerings with a sample of local cuisines or unique treats. Poutine, mac n' cheese, deep-fried ice cream, and funnel cake are all favorites. For healthier options, consider having a smoothie bar or having fruit and veggie stations for people to buy snacks.
3. Face-Painting
Face painting booths are another way to add color and flair to a festival. Hire a few local artisans to paint fun designs on people’s faces. If you really want to ramp up the good vibrations, work with a local charity, and have the proceeds donated to a good cause.
4. Arcade Tent
Consider setting up an arcade tent. If you can, rent some vintage video games, like Pac-Man. You can also set up Foosball and skeeball booths.
5. Demonstrations
Look into hiring some local craftsmen to provide live demonstrations. Glass blowing, weaving, woodcarving, and painting are a few good options.
6. Artists
You may not think of music festivals as a place to go to get your portrait painted, but a caricature can make a great souvenir. Or, set up a screen printing station, and let people make their own shirts for a fee.
7. Trivia
Set up trivial pursuit stations, and allow users to log in and play on their smart phones. This can be a great way to pass the time between bands!
8. Contests
A silly contest can keep things upbeat, and can help put smiles on everyone’s faces. Consider doing a Hawaiian shirt contest, a crazy hat pageant, or an ugly shoe competition. This can also make your festival a unique experience that stands out from other events.
9. Kids' Activities
Bouncy castles, ball pits, and mazes can all be lots of fun for little ones. A mini-golf station is another possibility. You can also hire some mascot characters, or even put on a fun puppet show.
Planning a festival is a lot of work, especially if you're aiming to please everybody. Pair these ideas with a dedicated fleet of volunteers and you'll be sure to be another step closer to that goal. For more festival resources, check out InitLive's festival page here.
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