A festival is a celebration, usually public, that centers on a particular theme or aspect of a community’s culture or religion. It is often marked by food, music, and dance. Festivals may also include religious ceremonies, athletic competitions and social gatherings. They are also considered an important part of the tourist industry, as they bring visitors into a town or region. This creates economic benefits for the local economy, including increased tourism and opportunities for local businesses.
One of the most important reasons to attend a festival is to connect with people. The social aspect of festival is the glue that keeps communities together. Without this, communities stagnate and the quality of life declines. The University of Minnesota’s Festival and Event Management Center explains that festivals are an opportunity to increase connections that create this social capital.
Festivals are also a place to learn. Whether it is a new skill, a cultural tradition or something as simple as a way to make friends, there is always something to learn at a festival. A good festival organizer will find ways to integrate learning into the experience, making it fun and memorable. This learning can be formal, like a workshop or demonstration, or informal, such as through an interaction with a performer.
Musical festivals are probably the best example of this, with bands sharing the stage and connecting with their fans over long weekends of camping in green fields. But there are many other examples of this type of learning, from the science behind a performance to a lesson in history. Even the smallest festival is an opportunity for learning if the organizers take the time to teach.
Another benefit of festival is the sense of belonging it offers participants. It is not uncommon to see strangers helping each other out, or for friends to look after those who need a hand. This is a big part of festival culture and can be seen in the PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity & Respect) ethos or Radical Inclusion practice that many festivals encourage. There are plenty of times that I have “adopted” a random person who looked lost, had a broken tent or was just plain tired, and taken them under my wing until they were feeling better.
Finally, a festival is a great place for families to bond. There is so much to do, from magic shows that will enchant children, comedy acts that get everyone giggling and acrobatic circus acts that are sure to have the whole family wowing. The only thing to remember is to keep a budget in mind and to take enough cash with you, as many vendors don’t accept cards. Choosing the acts that the kids will most want to watch and being prepared to walk a lot, helps keep costs down. And, of course, there is always the benefit of fresh air and lots of exercise!