Location, Location, Location

There are many things to keep in mind when choosing a location.

Size: large enough to accommodate the activities but not so large that there are vast spaces between activities. Parks, fair grounds and downtown areas are commonly used.

Accessibility: One-lane bridges, narrow roads or anywhere a bottleneck may occur are not a good idea. Remember that the area should be near prospective attendees.

Parking: If you are expecting 10,000 attendees there are usually 3 people to a car. That’s over 3000 cars. It’s also necessary to remember handicap parking spaces. You’ll want to make sure that the parking and the festival are not in a flood area.

Human Traffic: People must be able to move freely from on area to another.

Before choosing the site walk every foot of the site. Make sure that you are able to correct any potential safety problems. Check for holes, rotten trees that may fall, discarded or dumped items, etc.

Once the festival site is chosen, draw it out to scale on a large sheet of paper. Include trees, power lines, hydrants, roads, sidewalks and any other large fixture on the site. Then set up the base map. Location of the entrance, concession stands, entertainment, exhibits, concessions, first aid station, and restrooms.

Restrooms: Location is the key. They need to be convenient to the attendees. Keep them in clusters. Mark them well ‘Men’ and ‘Women’. There should be more ‘Women’ then 'Men'. They should be well supplied and routinely checked.

Electrical: Know what your electrical needs are and the availability of it. This helps in establishing the positioning of the entertainment and food vendors.

Noise: If there is to be loud entertainment it needs to be separated from the exhibit area. How late will your entertainment perform and how close to a residential area are you? Are there any city ordinances about noise?

Resting/Picnic Areas: Provide benches or even picnic tables in shady areas. When attendees are hot or tired you want them to rest, not leave. Anticipate the need for attendees to sit and eat. You don't want people not to purchase food because there is no place to eat.

Information Booth: Right inside the festival area would be a good place. Pamphlets and flyers can be distributed. They could also handled lost and found items.

First Aid You will need a first aid area to tend to injuries that may happen. Even if your named first aid area is part of the information area, you need to make sure it is well marked. Be prepared to bandage minor cuts etc. Parents will remember how well prepared you were.

Handicap Visitors: Consider the structural needs of physical handicap visitors.

Trash Containers: There can never be enough trash containers. They must be conveniently placed throughout the site and emptied on a regular basis.

Now that you have all these things considered, go to the site with the map and you will be able to visualize it. Make sure that every area can be accommodated.