FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH Tracy Hughes A parent’s eye view of Roots and Blues
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Updated: August 23, 2009 5:02 PM
I’ve done Roots and Blues before — without children. This year, a whole new adventure: Roots and Blues with a three-year-old, and twin one-year-olds.
Simply getting to the festival is a transformed experience. I used to go with a bottle of water, sunscreen and blanket. Now it is like packing for an expedition: one double stroller, three sippy cups, one golf umbrella, five sets of rain gear, sunscreen, bug spray, wipes, a pound of Cheerios, one tarp, three blankets, three warm coats, warm clothes for the chilly nights, three sets of light clothes in case of sudden heat wave, water thermos, boxed drinks, bibs, three sun hats, three rain hats, two lawn chairs, rubber boots, cut-up fruit for snacks, wallets, cash, festival passes, cooler bag, three jars of baby food, two sleepers, 10 diapers, one baby backpack, Kleenex, four soothers and three bags to hold most of it.
Yes, I arrive at the festival already exhausted. But the energy and the lure of the pounding beats buoys me up as we load up the stroller, children and various gear to trek through the entrance.
The festival truly is a delight for families, but doing the festival with kids is different. Their needs and desires trump yours. And while their enjoyment is also my enjoyment, it means a much different festival than an adults-only trip.
Here’s a rundown on my Saturday:
• Anticipated time of arrival: 10:30 a.m.
• Actual time of arrival: 12:45 p.m.
• First stop: Kids Zone bouncy house.
• Second stop: Puppet vendor
• Third stop: bouncy house
And repeat... with brief interludes of crown-making, face-painting, trapeze swinging and snacking.
• 3 p.m. Curse Kiki the Eco-Elf for singing a song about how she was scared of outhouses. Toddler now develops intense resistance to going pee at festival.
• 3:30 p.m. Home for a nap.
• 5:30 p.m. Start getting family organized to head back.
• 6:30 p.m. (Note time delay) Arrive at festival.
• 6:40 p.m. Dinner. Pizza and mini donuts. Toddler ecstatic, babies enjoy samples.
• 7:30 p.m. Toddler insists on saying good night to puppets.
• 8 p.m. Scheduled to interview Bedouin Soundclash at 8:15. Prepping questions. Toddler throws up pizza and mini donuts on festival grounds. Gak.
• 8:10 p.m. Beloved husband wrangles all three kids while I do interview. End up talking to sexy, hip musicians about how much my three-year-old and the babies love Bedouin Soundclash music because “When the Night Feels My Song” is the theme song for CBC Kids. Oh, how I rock.
• 9 p.m. Toddler re-bounds and we dance with abandon. Disguise toddler as journalist and take her backstage to let her get a close-up look at the stage, instruments, musicians and so she knows her mom must be cool. Convince toddler that the port-a-potties backstage are special and safe for use. Discuss issue with a member of the Black Pioneer Heritage Singers.
• 10 p.m. Three bundled-up kids sleep all curled up on their parents, who soon lose all feeling in the lower portion of their bodies.
• Midnight: Triumph, we actually made it through the entire show. Was it worth it?
Absolutely. See you again next year.
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