Festival Life: 3-Day Events with Your Ostomy

Last summer, I spent three days at a music festival sleeping in a tent, dancing until 2 AM, and living off festival food. It was one of the best weekends of my life, and yes, I did it all with an ostomy. If you're dreaming of festival season but worried about the logistics, let me walk you through exactly how to make it happen.

Festival Types: Choose Your Adventure

Not all festivals are created equal when it comes to ostomy-friendliness. Here's the breakdown:

• Car camping festivals: Your car becomes base camp with easy supply access (perfect for beginners)
• Glamping options: Pre-set tents with better bathroom access (worth the splurge)
• Day festivals: No camping, just music – easier logistics but less immersive
• Backpack camping: Hike-in festivals (for experienced ostomates only)

I recommend starting with a car camping festival for your first multi-day experience. You'll have your supplies, your own space, and an exit strategy if needed.

The Ultimate Festival Packing List

Packing for a festival with an ostomy requires some extra planning, but don't go overboard. Here's what actually matters:

Day-by-Day Survival Strategy

Multi-day festivals are marathons, not sprints. Here's how to pace yourself:

Bathroom Strategy (The Big One)

Let's be honest – festival bathrooms are rough. But they're manageable with the right approach:

🚻 Bathroom Hierarchy (Best to Worst)

• VIP/Guest bathrooms: Worth upgrading if you can afford it
• Accessible portapotties: More space, usually cleaner, less crowded
• Standard portapotties early morning: Cleanest they'll be all day
• Food vendor bathrooms: Ask nicely – sometimes they'll let you use them
• Regular portapotties after noon: Only if desperate

Bathroom Survival Tips

• Bring a headlamp: Most portapotties don't have great lighting
• Pack toilet paper: They run out fast
• Use hand sanitizer liberally: Before and after
• Change bags preventively: Don't wait until you're desperate
• Go in groups: Have someone hold the door/keep watch

Food and Hydration Strategy

Festival food is part of the experience, but be strategic:

Smart Food Choices

• Safe bets: Grilled items, pizza (without weird toppings), pretzels, rice bowls
• Approach with caution: Dairy-heavy foods, super spicy stuff, anything that looks questionable
• Skip entirely: Street corn (sorry!), anything with lots of artificial coloring, sketchy-looking vendors

Hydration Is Everything

Dehydration hits ostomates harder and faster. Here's your water strategy:

• Start hydrated: Begin drinking extra water the day before
• Bring electrolytes: Powder packets are lightweight and effective
• Set phone reminders: Seriously – you'll forget to drink when you're having fun
• Monitor your output: Changes in color/consistency are warning signs

Sleep and Recovery

Festival sleeping is tough for everyone, but especially important for ostomates:

• Invest in comfort: Good sleeping pad, earplugs, eye mask
• Empty before bed: Even if your bag isn't full
• Keep supplies accessible: Don't bury them in your car trunk
• Take midday breaks: Rest in shade, even if you don't nap

Dancing and Movement

This is why you came! Here's how to dance comfortably:

• Start gentle: See how your bag feels with movement
• Consider support: Binder or belt if you want to go wild
• Stay aware: Check your setup during bathroom breaks
• Don't hold back: If you feel good, dance like crazy

Weather Contingencies

Weather can make or break a festival experience:

🌧️ Rain Strategy

• Waterproof your supplies: Double-bag everything important
• Pack extra clothes: Wet clothes against wafers is miserable
• Know when to retreat: Sometimes sitting out a storm is smart

☀️ Heat Strategy

• Shade is life: Find it and use it liberally
• Cool towels: Wet bandana around your neck works wonders
• Monitor wafer adhesion: Sweat can affect stickiness

The Social Aspect

Festivals are social experiences. Here's how to navigate that with an ostomy:

• Tell your camping neighbors: You don't need details, just "I have medical needs and might need bathroom access"
• Be open with close friends: They can help watch for signs you need a break
• Don't over-explain: Most people at festivals have seen everything
• Connect with other ostomates: You'd be surprised how many are there

When Things Go Wrong

Something will probably go sideways – that's festival life. I've dealt with:

• Wafer coming loose in a rainstorm
• Running out of bags on day two (packed extra after that)
• Food poisoning that affected my output
• Getting separated from my group with no supplies

All of these were manageable because I had backup plans and didn't panic. Every festival teaches you something for next time.

Coming Home

The festival high is real, but so is the crash. Plan for recovery:

• Pack home supplies: Don't arrive with empty drawers
• Plan easy meals: Your body needs gentle nutrition
• Rest: Festival recovery is real – plan a light few days
• Process the experience: Journal, call friends, relive the memories

Your Festival Life Awaits

Festivals with an ostomy require more planning than they used to, but the payoff is incredible. There's something magical about being surrounded by music, friends, and good vibes for days on end.

You might come home exhausted, dirty, and slightly broke, but you'll also come home with stories, new friendships, and proof that having an ostomy doesn't mean missing out on epic experiences.

The music is calling. Your people are waiting. Festival season starts now.