Arizona music festival survival guide: What to bring to Country Thunder

There are at least a dozen major music festivals in Arizona this year, ranging from the state's biggest, Country Thunder, to boutique festival FORM Arcosanti. And within driving distance are some of the biggest in the country, including Coachella, Stagecoach and Burning Man. 

It's time to start planning. 

MORE:Arizona Music Festivals 2018: Pot of Gold, Innings, Country Thunder, UFEST

The devil is in the details. What you bring — or don't bring — will make or break your festival experience. 

We've compiled a music-festival survival guide, designed to help whether you're headed to a one-day festival or camping for a four-day weekend. 

What to wear to a music festival

Wear a ton of waterproof sunscreen. Reapply constantly. You could even consider wearing a UV wristband, such as the disposable, waterproof one from Sunburn Alert, which changes colors when you need to reapply sunscreen.

Wear comfortable shoes. Heels or flip-flops sound fun until your feet hurt or get incredibly dirty. Wear boots, athletic shoes or hiking sandals to provide the support you need to stand, dance and walk around all day.

Consider wearing a hat. Why not avoid burning your scalp and face? Also bring multiple pairs of sunglasses in case you lose one.

Find a stylish fanny pack. You can carry everything hands-free! Small backpacks are OK but can bump into people. Cross-body bags are fine but can be heavy on your shoulder.

Remember your wristband or ticket! If you remember literally nothing else, remember your RFID wristband.

Bring a sweater or jacket and pants. The desert will get cold at night.

If you really want to be prepared, bring a rain jacket or poncho just in case, as well as rain boots. There will be lakes of mud if it rains.

What to carry with you all day, every day

Bring cash, including singles. You will save so much in time, ATM fees and bargaining ability. 

Carry sunscreen with you. You’ll reapply it more, and you also can put it on others who are too drunk to know they’re already lobsters. Also, bring lip balm with SPF.

Bring your phone charger and a portable external charger. You can get one on Amazon for $10 or less.

Remember your ID, especially if you’re drinking.

Depending on the rules, always bring either an unopened bottle of water or a reusable water bottle. 

Put a label on the outside of your phone with your name, campsite and contact information for a friend you'll be with. If you lose your phone, this will help some benevolent being return it. 

You could lose more than a phone:After four days, lost dog at Country Thunder reunites with owners

Optional things to bring that will save your life (OK, your mood)

Carry a small package of tissues in case the portable toilet is out of toilet paper or you need to blow all of that dirt out of your nose.

Stay clean by bringing cleansing wipes or hand sanitizer. 

Bring high-protein, prepackaged snacks such as trail mix, jerky and protein bars.

Print the set times and locations on paper, because your phone will die or overheat.

Bring allergy medicine, even if you don’t think you need it. There's so much dust, and the constant smoke from cigarettes and marijuana can irritate anyone. 

Bring a few bandages and some over-the-counter medications, such as pain reliever, heartburn reliever and Pepto Bismol.

Bring a bandana to wear around your nose and mouth in case you really need to block out the dust and smoke.

Bring ear plugs. Some sets may be too loud, depending on where you’re standing, or you may want to pop in some ear plugs and take a nap on the ground. It happens.

Your packing list for a camping festival

Bring more water than you think you need. There's zero chance you'll regret it. 

Bring coolers with ice, including blocks of ice, which take longer to melt. Store the coolers in shade. Freeze any food or water that you can — after two days, frozen burritos become ready-to-eat burritos! 

If you’re into it, bring a lot of energy drinks. They can really help you be out and about having fun for 18 hours a day.

Bring cheap, hearty food that’s high in protein. You will be walking a lot and burning a lot of calories that you need to replenish in order to have energy. Think burgers, chili, pre-made burritos, peanut butter, bagels, trail mix and protein bars.

For Country Thunder, specifically: Consider bringing a grill. You’re allowed to bring charcoal or propane grills but not woodburning ones. Just make sure you bring enough propane! Grills are not allowed at most other festivals. 

Double check the rules before you go:Country Thunder camping rules

Consider bringing some source of electrolytes, such as Pedialyte, Vitamin Water, Gatorade or coconut water. They help for hangovers but are also beneficial if you’ve just been sweating a lot.

Bring canopies, even if you’re also bringing tents. You need the shade! Bring tarps or spare sheets to hang on the sides to block out the sun.

Bring games such as cornhole and a portable speaker to pass the time until the festival gates open.

Bring earplugs for sleeping. Some people will keep partying until the time others are waking up, so it will never be that quiet.

Bring a flashlight — your phone might die or you might need something stronger.

Bring money, toiletries, flip-flops and towels for the showers.

Bring extra blankets if you’re staying in a tent. The desert gets cold!

Bring tables and chairs. Where else are you going to hang out or play games?

How to set up your campsite

Try to build a group that has multiple campsites. Then you can arrange your tents or vehicles on the entire perimeter and put all of your camping and hangout gear in the center. This helps stake out your territory, making it feel both safer and more fun.

Remember that most campsites offer no electricity. Bring a car charger for your phone, a power inverter to use your car battery for other electrical needs, or just splurge on a bigger portable charger. 

Establish landmarks, both at your campsite and inside the festival. Smart people mark their campsites with very tall poles with distinctive lights or a flag on the top.

Write your campsite on your arm in case you forget it or your phone dies. 

The three final rules for attending any music festival

Trying to see a main act up close? Get to that stage early. Like, really early. You’ll need to park yourself up front for the opening acts and just wait it out. That being said, don’t be grumpy if you get packed like sardines and shoved around. Sometimes it can be more fun to be farther back and have space to dance. 

Designate a meetup spot and time in case you get separated from your friends. Example: "After Dierks Bentley, we all have to meet near the burger stand in the food court." or "Before Tame Impala, meet behind the sound booth."

If you have something that someone else needs, share it. Half the fun of a festival is the sense of community. You can spare some hand sanitizer. 

Country Thunder Headliner Giveaway

Want to sit on stage during Cole Swindell’s Thursday night headlining performance? Dying to meet Luke Bryan and get your picture taken with the two-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year?

The Arizona Republic| azcentral.com are offering four lucky fans this unique opportunity at this year’s Country Thunder event.

Entering is easy and it won’t cost you a thing. No purchase required. Simply like and follow the @azcthingstodo Facebook page and text us a picture of your campsite and number on social media for a chance to win either a pair of VIP on-stage seats for Swindell’s performance or the Bryan meet-and-greet.

Review: Cole Swindell makes natural headliner, Lauren Alaina shines bright

Official rules are provided below.

COUNTRY THUNDER COUNTRY STAR GIVEAWAY OFFICIAL RULES

Eligibility: Subject to the additional restrictions below, the Country Thunder Headliner Giveaway (the “Sweepstakes”) is open to Arizona residents who are 18 years or older at the time of entry. Employees and contractors of Gannett Co., Inc., and each of its respective affiliated companies, and advertising and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with, any such employees or contractors, are not eligible to enter or to win. 

On site entry: Winners will be notified at their campsite and will need to complete a short form with all required information (including name, email address, and phone number) and follow all posted instructions. Maximum one (1) entry per person.  

By entering, you agree to the terms of the Official Rules and to receive e-mails from Sponsor or those directed by Sponsor.  You can opt-out of the receipt of such e-mails by following the directions in any email received from Sponsor.

All entries become property of Sponsor and none will be returned. 

Winner Selection: Winner(s) will be selected from random drawing on site at the Country Thunder event (April 5-8) in Florence, AZ.

Prizes:

·         One (1) pair of VIP passes for Cole Swindell on stage seats on Thursday, April 5

·         One (1) pair of VIP passes for Luke Bryan meet and greet on Sunday, April 8

Winner Notification and Acceptance: Winners will be notified in-person at their campsite.

Sponsor: The Country Thunder Country Star Giveaway is sponsored by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com.  The decisions of Sponsor regarding the selection of winners and all other aspects of the Sweepstakes shall be final and binding in all respects.  Sponsor will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Sweepstakes.