New to the bass-heavy festival scene and planning to attend two camping festivals solo this summer, including Bass Coast, a woman in her mid-40s faced warnings from friends about safety and lifestyle risks. These friends cautioned against making friends at festivals, citing fears of being drugged via sweat or water refill stations—concerns that left her uncertain and seeking honest feedback.
The Reddit r/festivals community has largely dismissed these fears as ill-informed and exaggerated. Key takeaways from the community include:
- Myth Busting: Theories about being drugged through sweat or at water stations were labeled baseless and laughed off.
- Community Positivity: Strong emphasis on festivals being welcoming spaces centered around kindness, connection, and support.
- Safety Practices: Basic precautions like watching one’s drink, avoiding accepting substances from strangers, and staying aware significantly reduce risk—making festivals as safe or safer than many nightlife venues.
- Solo Festival Goers: Experienced solo attendees reassured that attending alone, even as a mature adult balancing responsibilities, is not only possible but often rewarding.
- Balanced Enjoyment: While some noted the importance of balancing festival fun with everyday life, they didn’t see that as a direct concern for this new festivalgoer.
Bass Coast Festival itself takes safety seriously, enforcing strict codes of conduct and providing free potable water through multiple refill locations. Harm reduction efforts, including chill-out zones and peer education programs, foster a supportive environment that prioritizes attendee well-being.
General festival safety experts echo these sentiments, advising attendees to stay alert, safeguard drinks, use the buddy system, and familiarize themselves with festival layouts and emergency stations.
In essence, the community encourages the festival newcomer to trust her judgment, enjoy the positive culture, and discard unfounded paranoia—affirming that the festival scene remains one of connection, fun, and shared respect.
Source: r/festivals