You Only Live Once!

I'm an unashamed fan of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. If you've never seen his work I'd probably sum it up as taking the grass roots simple, fresh, healthy cooking back to the people or as he calls it "real food". Many people like to eat chocolate and watch the biggest loser, I like to watch his take on healthy eating to numb my own poor lifestyle choices. In one episode, Hugh and co are preparing for the Annual Town Strawberry Fair. All it turned out to be was a red and white striped stalls with pick your favourite kind of strawberry, Hugh's range of strawberry creations, a 3 legged race and other forms of incredibly basic almost corny type events.

It got me thinking that we here in Australia (particularly the suburbs) really don't embrace these purely fun for fun's sake type festivals enough and if it's good enough for a multi millionaire food lover, then it's good enough for me.

These extra side dishes are hands down just as if not more exciting and enjoyable than what any band can offer you. If you're looking to attend a festival and watch band after band then pick any festival on the already over crowded calendar. But again that word experience keeps raising it's gorgeous head. In a festival that spans 4 days, it won't be hard to get very bored with watching dj after band after dj after band... no matter how good they are... so unlike most festivals where you take a break by standing in a life for $13.50 cold chips and warm drink, Playground Weekender offers you some extremely innovative extras and here are my pick of the bunch:

Fancy Dress Night - The vibe on Fancy Dress Night is indescribable, something you truely have to witness for yourself. When I went it was more about drunken cross dressing (which I don't get to do often enough!!!) but now they provide a fancy dress hire store just incase you're a schmuck (like me) and forget.

Variety of Market & Food Stalls - Amazing buzz going around these stalls, the people running em become friends. I remember one older lady at a food stall ended up becoming like a mum to all the hungry kids, staying open later to keep our tummys full. Bless her.

Club Tropicana Swimming Pool Area - Listening to some cool summer sounds around the pool was something I didn't know I needed until I experienced it. The nirvana of chill out rest spots.

Riverside Healing Zone - I'm not one for these alternative type things much, just doesn't grab me but that's probably on the account of me being a total nark but even I went in there and enjoyed it's splendours... I don't know what they gave me, but I definitely felt at one with something. Groovy.

Yoga Classes - I didn't know these went on until the last day. This is one side dish where Playgrounder really spoil the soul. To see the large groups all up early and refreshing their inner well being was very cool (even if I am a square). Great way for classy people to nurse a little hang over, sleeping in could have caused me to totally miss this fine addition.

Fine Food Resturant - As a waiter, I have a long time love affair with fine food. The idea of enjoying a festival and a few drinks on a stomach not laced with dagwoods and hot chips just appeals to my supreme prissyness. Bookings Essential, full licensed I'm sure.

Soco Riverside Cocktail Bar - For me I love nothing more than finding the pinkest, fruitiest cocktail, kicking back and sssssssipping away. This is a must try!

NEW! Meldoy Wine Bar - A new addition this year. Dan Single (Ksubi) and Angus McDonald (Sneaky Sound System) are lining up to provide a truly refined inclusion to your festival experience. I can already smell and feel the culture from a sublime Cab Sav with a nice riverside breeze...

I didn't even get round to mentioning Wall & Decent Arts Area, Hairdressing & Make Up Stand, 24 Hour General Store & 24 Hour Cafe, Cabaret, Cinema, Beer Garden and of course 6 Stages of music!!!

Honestly whoever has been brainwashing us into thinking a festival has to be a world comprising the dirty, boring, music only, no variety, deep fried, crowded, long lined, overpriced event has met their maker. Playground Weekender alongside many other boutique festivals are demonstrating that you can camp, maybe even get a little muddy but then wash yourself off in a nice shower, get your hair done, eat well, live even better and experience a feeling of refreshment to sleep under the stars and start the next day brand new.


Link: Buy Playground Weekender Tickets Here (SELLING FAST... NEXT RELEASE COMING)