How do you work festival events?

I'm considering some larger festival but I don't know how set up goes and what I would need in terms of lighting and set-up. What types of lighting do you use and what would you bring that is different than private bookings? Thanks in advance for your input. Never did large fests before so I don't want to be overwhelmed or unprepared.

Is it during the day? I don't need lighting at festivals unless it is during evening hours. You will need some sort of shade (an ez-up or large umbrella.)

It starts in the early afternoon and goes into the evening.

Thanks Perry. Now that construction light, does it provide enough light or not so much?

Shade (tent/umbrella)
Security (walls/ropes/line manager)
Wind and rain protection (weights for tent/tarps or walls for tent)
Table (or something to work off of)
Chair(s)

For lights you can get work lights (like at a hardware store) that have stands, or fasten something to the upper frame of your tent (we had a great florescent bar recently at one), or attach to your table (Ott type table light, or we've also used poles clamped to the table with a "desk" light put in to swing high over our heads), or Christmas type lights around the front of your tent or Rope lights woven in the frame of your tent (but they can get hot).

When going to craft fairs, I use the large round lights (christmas - but, they now sell them in camping supplies) to go around the inside metal frame of the tent... then, I use a couple of the reflected lights with the clamps at the corners of the tent... if necessary, I have a table light with the bendy neck for close-up work...

I dunno how I would set up an evening tent for face painting....

Good luck!

Thanks! Sorry for all of the questions but does anyone use generators because I notice that alot of fairs charge you extra for an outlet?

Usually, here, anyway - they charge about 15 dollars more... well worth it for me.

I'd rather pay that than to have to haul the generator, listen to it, refuel it as necessary.

But, it might work for you.. depending on the type of generator 'n such...

I wish ya' good luck and lots of FUN!

Thank you!

I really dislike running off of generator power - it's noisy (even "quiet" ones) and I find it hard to talk to children over it (not to mention fuel and grounding and transporting). I have an Ott light that is battery powered - it runs for a few hours - I also have a battery powered LED light that hangs from the top of a tent (meant for camping) that is decent light. I'd go for battery before generator if possible....

I agree, generators smell, are noisy and often break down/ run out of petrol bang in the middle of things!

It depends what the festival provide; I have never yet needed to take more than my pro pop-up gazebo and headtorch, most do the lighting themselves so its under their own H&S coverage.

I do usually add battery/ solar powered fairy lights as well though, mainly to light my kit for me, thats all thats needed.

Cat x