But describing it is not the same as being there and seeing it with your own eyes – and once you venture to the main stage at the Gorge overlooking the Columbia River, you will understand.

Since 2002, Memorial Day weekend in George, WA has become Christmas for music lovers in the Northwest and BC. It’s a place for new discoveries. A place of unexpected adventures. And a time for moments you will never forget. Best of all, it’s a time to see the best of the year all in one place. So pack it up and prepare for a three-day trek through Sasquatch.

If you have never gone before, consider it this year. It will be unforgettable, and I guarantee you can’t go just once.

Location, Location, Location

The Gorge is in George, WA, about three hours from Seattle.  There’s nothing surrounding you but good music and spectacular views of the Columbia River. What more do you need?

Three stages and a dance/comedy tent anxiously await your jaw-dropping moments. There’s always plenty of views of the main stage, but if you have to be up front, get there early because they close it off when the area fills up. The dance/comedy tent can also get packed and hard to see in the back, but it usually clears out between acts and provides a shaded place to eat. The Yetti and Wookie stages aren’t usually as busy and are always worth checking out – so start scheduling.

Necessities

• Cash – There are ATMs, but the lines are long when you need that nice cold $9 beer
• Sunscreen – Self explanatory
• Water – So you can make it from noon to midnight
• Snacks – You are allowed to bring food in if you don’t feel like buying pizza or burgers
• A hoodie or two – It gets cold at night, and it’s been known to rain (and hail)
• Blanket – Reserve a spot in the grass for you and your friends to meet back up at the end of the day
• A car full of people – The campsites are overloaded. Pack light and fill your car full of people instead for cheaper camping and more ideal conditions. Not to mention you will leave a smaller carbon footprint and maybe get something free from festival sponsor eSurance…
• Your Ray-Bans – Don’t want to be squinting at the main stage
• Toilet paper – It’s inevitable that the porta-potties will run out
• Pre-printed schedule – You can customize your own on sasquatchfestival.com and plan when you need to run from one stage to another.

Pointers

• Buy a 3-day pass! There are plenty of opportunities to sell the days you don’t want around the campsite (not that CoS endorses this activity…).
• Arrive at an off-hour. You can usually get in around noon on Friday. Arriving Friday night is the worst and can be more than an hour wait…there’s only one road in.
• Once you’re in the festival, you’re in! Bring everything with you. You aren’t allowed to go back to your campsite between shows.
• Buy your camping pass before you go – they sell out. If you want more accessibility to showers and restrooms, you should buy premiere camping.
• Alcohol. The festival has alcohol enforcers and all 21+ are required to wear wrist bands. If you even take a sip from the person next to you and you don’t have a wristband, you could be kicked out… so all you underage engagers – beware.
• Don’t expect a shower.They get busy… but who cares? You’re at a festival.
• Prepare!  Be sure to keep checking the Web site and message boards for updates and free samples of music. And of course, CoS will keep you updated, as well.

And, of course, there’s always this…