Columbus Summer Festivals Code of Conduct
Now that festival season is upon us, it's time to take note of the do's and don'ts of each event. While some things are one-size-fits-all (urinating in public-always a don't), others are party-specific.
June 13, Grandview Yard
"You can bring chairs. You can bring dogs. You can bring babies. But don't bring your own beer." These words from Laura Oldham, planning committee member of Grandview Digfest, will keep you in the good graces of the more than 20 craft breweries pouring at Digfest. Don't talk too long with the brewers, she says, as it will slow them down. And pace yourself. "Getting drunk is kind of looked down on early in the day when families are there," she says.
What's never cool? Driving drunk. Digfest provides free cab rides home for the over-imbibed. Look for the stand in the middle of the event for a safe ride home. grandviewdigfest.com
June 19 to 21, Creekside Park, Gahanna
Hey, urbanites. Laurie Jadwin, executive director of the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau, says it's OK to head to the suburbs for live music. She's got you covered. Angela Perley? Check. The Floorwalkers? Check. And something called "Drink Local Sunday"? Triple check.
And pretty much anything goes.
Freeload on music from Columbus Jazz Arts Group and the Columbus Blues Alliance at the Musical Discovery Zone (located outside the gates of the festival), or do the opposite and snag beverages, seats and, most importantly, private restrooms by purchasing experience packages in advance. creeksidebluesandjazz.com
June 19 to 21, Goodale Park
"Don't take your disco nap too early," says Karla Rothan, executive director of Stonewall Columbus, to LGBT participants. "Stay 'til the end." She has advice for allies as well: "Be gay for a day. Wear a rainbow. March in the parade." Finally, if Pride makes you feel proud of Columbus, buy a trinket to help pay for the event that fills every hotel bed and restaurant in the city. columbuspride.org
June 26 to 28, Goodale Park
A Columbus mainstay for 43 years, ComFest doesn't have many rules: Don't bring weapons or your own alcohol, don't pass out pamphlets without signing up to be a vendor beforehand and do be respectful of the park and surrounding neighborhood.
Spokeswoman and organizer Connie Everett adds: "Use proper etiquette when you see a woman without a shirt on. There's no need to ogle or take pictures."
As for the do's? "We encourage people to buy and support local; we encourage people to dance and to love one another and go to our workshops," Everett says, adding police accountability, environmental and women's issues, and marijuana initiatives are among this year's workshop topics. comfest.com