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Grizzly Fest 2018 Recap

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BestieTalks does Grizzly Fest!

All Access Passes!

This year, Jess and I got to experience Grizzly Fest together! Over the span of just 48 hours, we had such an epic, unforgettable weekend in my hometown of Fresno! This year’s Grizzly Fest line up was filled with hip-hop, reggae, indie and rock musicians that took place in a brand new location at Woodward Park. My husband is a founder of this fantastic festival, and this event is a full family affair. Therefore, Jessica was a part of that and was put to work right along side of me and my hospitality duties. Having all access passes allowed us to see and be apart of everything that was going on. Now that the festival is over, we wanna give you a rundown of our experience.  

Friday, May 18th

Day 1. We arrived at the festival by 9 o’clock AM and began to prepare the artist trailers. Who would have known filling trailers with snacks, drinks, and chips & salsa could be so damn fun with your bestie?! As we go from trailer to trailer, it starts becoming so real. All this hard work from my husband, his best friend Aren, and the whole Grizzly fest team is finally coming together for a kick-ass event! 

Jess and I have this positive natural energy about us that bursts out of our pores! As we float around backstage and throughout the festival grounds, we’re sharing smiles with everyone and asking them if they need any help with anything. We were happy to say that we got EVERY TASK DONE that was assigned to us! From finding specific liquor for artists, bandanas for Jhene Aiko or beer runs for the Grizzly Crew; we got the job done! Our motto for the weekend was “there’s nothing we can’t do!” and we truly lived by that. 

Unforgettable Experiences

We were kept busy for a lot of the performances, but on Friday we made sure to be front and center for Jhene Aiko. We hung out backstage and watched her walk from her trailer to the stage before we moved to the pit. At one point during the performance, I looked around to see that it was just me and my bestie in the pit. We were front and center in front of Jhene singing our hearts out together. Halfway through the show security came and got us and I immediately thought that we were being kicked out. But, nope. We were being brought on stage to dance with Jhene Aiko! The moments before they told us to walk on stage our hearts were pounding and tears of joy were creeping up. We danced on stage in front of thousands of people with an artist we admire. 

 

That moment is something that is indescribable. The feeling of doing something like that with your favorite person is a memory that will never fade or will ever be able to be replaced. BESTIE GOALS!

Nas came out in an all red velour tracksuit looking hot! During his performance, Nas took a moment to bring attention to the school shooting tragedy that happened that day in Texas. We did a moment of silence, and I found that super appropriate. Thousands of people all silent at the same time in remembrance of those that were lost. Super moving. Next up was Foster The People. Foster The People had the biggest crowd of the night by far. They rocked the stage, and it was a great ending to day one of Grizzly Fest.  

Saturday, May 19th

Day 2. Since we knew what to expect, we were able to arrive about an hour later on day 2. This time, we decided to wear our BestieTalks shirts and bring some stickers to pass out. Before getting to Grizzly Fest, we make a stop at Starbucks for breakfast sandwiches and a tea (neither of us drinks coffee). Upon entering, a woman came right up to us and began asking us about our shirts. She wanted to know where to buy one LOL. We explained they were to represent our blog and I described what our blog is about. She was so enthusiastic and said she was going to tell all of her students about BestieTalks! That kind woman was the start of a long list of people who loved our shirts and showed us and BestieTalks so much love!

After filling all of the artist trailers with food, gifts, and refreshments, we wandered around the festival before the gates opened. We mingled with vendors, and the energy was already so infectious. Gates opened at 2 pm and people flooded the park excited to see their favorite musicians. Grizzly Fest was filled with positive vibes and was truly a peaceful event. Food, drinks, music, friends and family, all made for a fabulous Saturday.

 BestieTalks Enjoys The Vibes

Snapped a pic with Fashawn after his amazing performance!

To start the evening off right, we went backstage to watch local Fresno artist (and close friend) Fashawn perform. Standing on stage watching the crowd gather and sing along was an amazing thing to witness. Fashawn no doubt brought the energy that was needed, and you could see it and feel it by hearing and watching the crowd. While we were standing on stage watching him perform we turned around to see Sage The Gemini who gave us a big smile. Every single artist we crossed paths with were just so down to earth. There was not an ounce of hate at Grizzly Fest. The rest of the afternoon was filled with the same high energy and incredible performances.

Unforgettable Memories

The final act of the night was Snoop Dogg. Every single person was excited as fuck for Snoop, including us. For Snoop’s performance, we again made our way to the front of the stage and stood in the pit with our husbands. Within the first few minutes of Snoop’s show, he noticed us and tossed us his blunt that he was smoking. My bestie caught that shit, and best believe we kept it after we hit it a few times! LOL! A blunt for the West Coast Godfather Snoop?! Are you serious?! MIND BLOWN!!!

BestieTalks and Jess’s husband G made the news! This was taken during Snoop’s performance!

The combination of being so close to the stage that you could feel the bass vibrating and both Snoop and Kurupt pointing at us and interacting with us was a moment we will never forget.

Ray’s husband and co-founder of Grizzly Fest, in the pit!

A lot of artists perform but never really see their crowd, but this wasn’t the case with Snoop. He made it a point to make sure that we knew he saw us and we made sure to let him know we see him too! Those moments standing alongside our men while singing our hearts out is something that will stay with us forever. 

Grizzly Fest 2019 is already underway and best believe that we will be there to do this all over again! Join us next year for this amazing event!

 

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Music Festival Backpack Checklist

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Music Festival Season is Here!

Music Festival season is officially in full swing! I always feel like the first weekend of Coachella sets off the season. Well, that time is here and we are here to help you pack your music festival essentials.

  • A hat– Festivals last all day and night and to have the sun blazing down on you for hours, can really take a toll on you. Having a hat on hand can make those sun-filled days easier or come in handy if a little rain is in the forecast.
  • Sunglasses– You don’t want to be that ridiculous person who’s holding their hand as a visor while looking at the stage.
  • Light Jacket or Wind Breaker– It gets cold at night and it can be dusty. Bring something that condenses down so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag.
  • Sunscreen– Your skin will get a shade darker! If that color is more tan or red, just beware that the sun shows no mercy.
  • Water Bottle– Don’t bring a metal bottle (Yeti’s, Hydroflask, or any other kind). Metal bottles aren’t allowed at most festivals. Bring a reusable one or even those water pouches that fold up. Hydration stations are usually in the festival for your convenience.
  • Hand Sanitizer– It gets pretty dirty out there. A hand washing station may not be near so, keep some sanitizer on deck is always a good idea.
  • Bandana– You can get multiple uses out of this! Use it to cover your face from the dust, wipe the sweat off your sweaty head and neck, drench it in water and put it around your neck to cool down, or wear it as an accessory to your festival outfit.
  • Tissue– Those little-prepacked tissues come in handy. You might get a stuffy nose or tears from an amazing set (guilty), and tissues will be needed.
  • Medicine– Whether it be Ibprophen or allergy medicine, you don’t want to be caught without the two when you need them badly.
  • Band-aid Set– These usually come in a very small pack with 2 to 3 different size band-aids and an alcohol swab. If anything major happens, you can always hit up the First Aid tent too.
  • Wet wipes- These can be used for almost anything. Toliet paper, feeling sticky, or a face wipe are all situations where wipes will be handy.
  • Deodorant– Speaking of sticky…No one likes to have their show interrupted by the stench coming off of you.
  • Snacks– If the festival permits it, do it! Bag up your own snacks because the original bag is usually filled with air which just takes up more room. But, remember to check the rules before all your snacks end up in the trash at the entrance gates.
  • Beach Blanket– These are the blankets that roll up really small and have a side that is meant for the ground. Again, read the rules before packing this too. Some festivals don’t permit this item.
  • Phone Charger or Extra Battery– Most festivals have phone charging stations. Bring a charger and or an extra battery pack.
  • Contraband– If you plan on bringing your party contraband remember, you will be getting searched. However, it’s comparable to airport searches. They’re looking for weapons, alcohol, and other sharp or metal objects.

Plan Ahead

Jess, Ray, and Method Man at Rock The Bells, 2012.

Make sure you check the weather prior to packing. Place all your festival items together including the TICKETS or BRACELETS! Download an app that the festival might have available. They usually provide a map with bathroom and stage locations, so grab or download that too. Most of the items on the list are available at your local Dollar Tree and make sure you get them in travel sizes.  One backpack is plenty of room for 2 or more people. You can take turns wearing it and fill it with any other merchandise you may buy. If you really wanna party and have your hands free, wear a fanny pack! Make sure you are aware of your belongings because people can still be shady at such great events. Remember you are there with thousands of other fun festival goers. Stay positive and be nice to others because everyone is there to have a good time. You guys all share one thing in common… the love of music!

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Music Festival 101

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Music Festivals are the New Thang

Music festivals have been around forever. Some of the most iconic ones like Woodstock and Summerfest started back in the 60’s when most of us weren’t even born. When the sun is out, festival season begin!  Now, music festivals are everywhere and have become massive cultural events with people of all ages, enjoying the one thing they all have in common; their love of music.

What to Expect

Ray & Jess living the music festival life!

I have been to over 10 music festivals over the years and even help organize one (Grizzly Fest).I grew up attending festivals with my parents and family and now I guess you can say I am a music festival enthusiast! While many festivals are different, the expectation of your day is fairly the same. Festival days are so long. So please be prepared! Music festivals are all about seeing 5 or more live, spectacular artist, in the span of one weekend. How awesome is that?!  Music will be blaring from stage to stage, with sweaty people dancing to the pumping speakers. Dj’s will be spinning on the 1’s and 2’s in between sets, while you get your $14 dollar vegan sliders, and wait in line for the stenchy portapotties.  While waiting around in line, (which there will be plenty) make sure you do some unforgettable people watching. Festival fashion is the best!!! People come out wearing the most outlandish things while using music festivals as their runway. Stuff is expensive! They have food for everyone (vegans, vegetarians, kosher, and carnivores). However, the prices are usually steep. Water can cost about $5 for your average $1 water bottle. Most festivals have a hydration center where you can refill your water bottle. So, please bring a non-metal, reusable water bottle and stay HYDRATED! There is lots of standing and walking, so wear comfy shoes (never sandals) and bring a sweater for when the sun goes down.  I always bring this beach blanket that rolls up really small. I stuff it in the bottom of my backpack and take it out whenever I need to rest.

Plan!

Music festivals have gotten tech savvy too! They have charging stations for your devices, apps that tell you to set times and stages, maps, and you can even order merch online before or during the festival. Use these things! Want a festival shirt but don’t want to carry it around? Order it. You’ll get the exact style and size delivered straight to your door, hassle free. Research before you go and read the rules. Plan accordingly and bring snacks if permitted. Plan your stage time too. I enjoying using the festival apps that let you mark the artist you want to see. Then the app will send you a notification 15 mins before their set time to remind you that there on soon. I love this because it is so easy to get caught up with so many other things going on. It’s ideal to have your hands free so a backpack or fanny pack is the way to go. You’ll be at the festival for many hours, so make sure you bring a backup phone battery and or a charger since you’ll want to take many pictures and post.

More to come…

I can go on and on about music festivals. I am still learning as I continue with this adventurous hobby and can’t wait to give you more tips. If you have some experience with music festivals too, add some tips to the comments and I’ll be sure to use them too. You can always find musical festival listings online by clicking here. Hope your festival days are super rad!

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