I cannot wait to experience the Bumbershoot Festival this Labor Day weekend! There is a huge possibility that I will have to bring my 3-year old daughter with me, so I have created a checklist for single parents like me who want to attend the festival and still have a good time ... despite having to stop at the potty every 20 minutes! LOL!

Last year, I went with my daughter Willow, who was just 2 at the time. It was miserable because I had previously attended solo and could just go wherever I wanted without having to consider which shows and areas I could see with a tot in tow. I ended up spending the majority of the time pushing Willow around in a stroller and moped around in the Youngershoot Zone (head there first)! Remember, there are a lot of Porta-potties located throughout the area, so you won't have to wait too long for the bathroom. The lines go quickly!

Here are a few answers for all the single parents out there who dare to trek off to Bumbershoot 2014.

Do kids have to have their own ticket?
Children 10 and under are admitted free with an accompanying adult.

Where can I have fun with my kids at Bumbershoot?
Children’s programming for kids 12 and is available in the Youngershoot Kids Zone and other family friendly programming is noted in the Bumbershoot program guide and in the online schedule.

Does my ticket guarantee me entry to any and all of the festival events?

No. All performance spaces have limited capacity, especially indoor venues. Early arrival for each performance is advisable to secure admission and your ideal vantage point, but cannot be guaranteed. (I recommend getting in line early, because last year I waited for nearly an hour just to be told that they had reached capacity and we couldn't get in.)

Are there chairs at the venues, and does my ticket reserve my seat?

I recommend bringing your own fold-up lawn chair and your own stroller or mini lawn seats for each child. Most shows are standing-room only.

Will they stamp our hands if we have to leave and come back later that day?

Yes, Bumbershoot allows re-entry. Your ticket and a festival hand stamp will be required for re-entry to Bumbershoot.

Can we bring our own food? I know we'll be hangry!

You are permitted to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages into Bumbershoot with the following exceptions:

  • Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine may be purchased inside the Bumbershoot beer gardens with proper ID.
  • Absolutely NO glass bottles are allowed inside festival grounds.
  • Absolutely NO outside cans are allowed inside festival grounds.
  • NO plastic, single-use bottles will be allowed in the main stage area.

Is there a place I can stash the kids or can I bring them with me in the beer garden?

Children, including babes-in-arms, may not enter the beer garden areas under any circumstances. If you are a single parent, you will have to have your own private little booze party after the show.

What is KidSafe?

Bumbershoot offers free wristbands to help reunite lost children with their parents and/or guardians as part of the KidSafe program. When you arrive at the festival, go to the nearest information booth to complete a short registration form with your contact info and get a numbered wristband for your kid. In the event your child is separated from you and brought to Bumbershoot Staff, they’ll contact you immediately! This is a free service!

Is it a good idea to bring a stroller?

Yes, bring your strollers! However, they are not allowed inside the main stage area. They highly encourage you to use a sling or backpack for ease of navigating throughout the grounds. No strollers are available on festival grounds for loan or rental. Please plan on bringing your own form of transportation (stroller, sling, frontpack, backpack, etc.) for your children.

Make sure you and the kids check out these activities while at Bumbershoot!

Luden’s
Memorial Stadium

Have you ever seen a Bumbershoot character come alive? We mean life size. Luden’s is making that happen at Bumbershoot 2014! Take a second before seeing your favorite act and capture a picture inside the mouth of the mascot. We hope that you guys will be screaming louder than ever, but remember to take care of your voice. Luden’s brand ambassadors will be providing some delicious, new-flavor, samples all weekend.

Honest Tea
Key Roadway

Quench your thirst at the Honest Tea booth near the KeyArena to sample delicious, healthy organic beverages.

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