| Lesson Six: Planning a Trip to the CMA Music Festival | |
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Updated 03/19/09
What to pack
Temperatures in Nashville average a high of 89.9 ° and a low of 69 ° with 86% humidity in the am and 58% humidity in the pm. Approximately 3.6 inches of rain falls in the month of June.
It's easy to see that shorts and t-shirts or tank tops are definitely something to pack, along with a bathing suit, if you plan to do any swimming during your stay. And of course sunscreen is a must. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than getting sunburned on the first day of your vacation because you neglected to slather on some sunscreen. Probably even more important is to bring along a good pair of walking shoes. the CMA Music Festival involves a lot of walking and standing, and it's important to have shoes that are comfortable.
I got my first experience at the free cardboard fans that get passed around at CMA Music Festival at the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game. Believe me, they are a relief. But, if you can find a small battery-operated fan; especially one with a little spray bottle attached, you will be so relieved at how it cools you off while waiting in all the lines there are, plus attending the outside activities that aren't in the shade. I received one at the Buddy Jewell Fan Club Party in 2004, and I wasn't without it after getting it. If you bring one with you, be sure to bring a couple more sets of batteries. They usually use 2-AA batteries, so if you bring 4-6 AA batteries with you besides the ones inside the fan, you'll be set.
A tote bag, or a messenger bag are handy to have as well, to carry your Autograph book, your battery-operated fan, camera, batteries, and rain slicker.
Since there is always a chance of rain, it is suggested that you bring along a rain slicker or poncho. You can buy cheap clear plastic ones at your local WalMart or K-Mart at home, and they don't take up much room in your suitcase. (Note: I buy mine at the Dollar Store. You get two in the package for a dollar and you just toss them when you're done. They're really thin, like wearing a plastic bag, but they keep you dry.) If you forget, you won't have to worry, the hawkers will come out of the woodwork to sell you a slicker for five to eight dollars, so you should be fine. Having a waterproof bag of some sort for your autograph book is handy as well.
You never know when you'll see a country star, so keep a Sharpie handy at all times. You'll kick yourself if you come upon Martina McBride and you have nothing for her to use to sign your autograph book.
Same goes for your camera. Even if you're just stopping at the corner store for something, you never know who will be inside. Country stars have to shop too. Of course, you shouldn't go snapping their picture in the supermarket line. Be polite and when they leave the building, ask if you might take a photo and get an autograph. Be sure to bring plenty of film and extra batteries. I keep both in large resealable food storage bags. You can see what is inside and know when you need to buy more. If you're taking digital photos, be sure you have plenty of memory cards. If you brought your laptop where you can upload your photos, you can re-use your memory card space, otherwise you only have room for photos using the space on your existing cards.
Taking a hat is a good idea as well. I bought the CMA Music Festival baseball-style cap, and added my pins to it as I collected them. (There are several venues that sell limited editions of hat pins and I collected several. You get one with your CMA Music Festival ticket package.)
Because of the hot weather, be sure to carry water with you everywhere so you don't get dehydrated. Do keep in mind that the venues do not allow food or beverages to be taken inside, so finish any water outside the venue, and buy more inside. What I usually did was buy a water at my hotel, or near my hotel and drank it on the way to the bus stop. Then, be sure to finish it before you enter the Convention Center, Riverfront Stages or Coliseum.
The venues below list what is not allowed:
LP Field - No food, beverages, coolers, pets (service animals permitted), large bags, alcohol, drugs, bottles, cans, umbrellas, lawn chairs, baby strollers, infant carriers, air horns, fireworks, frisbees, beach balls, laser pointers, weapons, or dangerous devices.
RIVERFRONT PARK - No food, beverages, coolers, pets (service animals permitted), large bags, alcohol, drugs, bottles, cans, umbrellas, lawn chairs, air horns, fireworks, frisbees, beach balls, laser pointers, weapons, or dangerous devices.
NASHVILLE CONVENTION CENTER - No food, beverages, coolers, pets (service animals permitted), alcohol, drugs, bottles, cans, air horns, fireworks, Frisbees, beach balls, laser pointers, weapons, or dangerous devices. Baby strollers and infant carriers are not recommended.
Also the CMA Music Festival in general says no lawnchairs, umbrellas or video cameras.
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