Summer Concert Series: Week 1- Taking Your Kids to Concerts (featuring Phish)

Since I was a kid, I have always been a huge music fan, bordering on obsessive. This love of music carried me through my teenage years and persists to today. There was a point at which my husband and I saw at least two live music shows each week, especially in the summer months. We mainly followed the jamband scene, going to shows by a variety of artists like RAQ, the Ryan Montbleau Band, Umphrey's McGee, moe., and any festival we could feasibly get ourselves and a tent to. At the time, Phish was on hiatus, and we contented ourselves with following other bands for awhile.

Then, in 2009, Phish was finally back... and our first kiddo was born. The nature of attending Phish shows was about to change quite quickly. Now, with two kids, ages 8 and 5, I like to think that we have mastered the fine art of attending concerts with kids and tailgating happily with Capri Sun juiceboxes and Goldfish crackers in tow. Yes, it's a different scene than we once enjoyed, but hanging in the family section of any number of outdoor venues has its merits!

We are Saratoga Springs, New York locals, so many of our family concert experiences have featured two crucial ingredients: SPAC and Phish. SPAC is a gorgeous outdoor venue right smack in the middle of a state park. The sound is great, the lawn is beautiful and there is a clearly defined, smoke-free family section that is quite a cool community for Phish shows. Anyone who sees Phish knows that the Phish Phan community is a beautiful, laid-back family united by a love for the band we all follow. The family section at SPAC really showcases that feeling. People give each other s

pace, respect the smoke-free guideline and make friends quickly. My kids have come to refer to the kids they meet at Phish shows as their "Phish Cousins." Though this is a rotating cast of cousins who change at each show, each summer, it perfectly captures the family vibe.

Below is a brief list of some of the things we have kept in mind over the years to keep the kids happy and healthy when attending Phish. They could definitely be applied to other concert experiences, but they have worked especially well at Phish.

• Pre-show Entertainment is a must: If you plan to tailgate in the parking lot like a proper adult, you need to bring entertainment to keep the kiddos happy and occupied. They have a long, fun night ahead of them, and it's better to not have random meltdowns before you even enter the show. We always bring a giant tote of stuff for the kids to keep them busy while we hang out and enjoy the atmosphere. Our bag usually includes the following

• Coloring books

• Markers, Crayons

• Mad Libs (they still dig them, which is reassuring)

• Glow Sticks for when the show starts

• Hula Hoops

• Stuffed animal buddies for the kids to see the show with.

• Small bags for the kids to carry if we decide to walk around.

• Food! Snacks are a must on lot and in the show. Keep bellies full and nobody gets "hangry" before the show. We stock a cooler with juiceboxes, hummus, dip, chips, pretzels, Goldfish and any other finger food that the kids might want to grab before the show. I usually stash a bag of candy and treats as well, to bust out just in case anyone needs a quick sugar rush (isn't that everyone, from time to time?). Going to Phish is totally a holiday for our kids, so candy kind of seals the deal.

• An open mind and lots of patience: Phish phans know that the community always sets up a "Shakedown Street" where fans sell their wares to help fund their summer tour travel. It was always questionable in my mind whether the kids should be exposed to Shakedown in any form. Sure, there are t-shirts, amazing pizza from the Gouda Boys, the Ragin' Cajun stand (a personal favorite), and tons of cool, unique handmade arts on lot. There are also some not so kid-friendly elements and lots of smoke. Ultimately, we decided that the beautiful diversity of Shakedown and the cool, inclusive community was worth showing the kids, even if some people find it strange. They take one walk down Shakedown, end up with a Phish shirt, tie-dye dress, plenty of food, and lots of cool memories you won't get anywhere else. This element of the experience is such a major component of seeing our favorite band. There's no way we'd let the kids miss out.

• Lastly, your dancing clothes, pajamas, and shoes. We deck the kids out for the show like they are rock stars so they feel cool and wear sensible shoes. Sandals probably aren't happening for the kiddos on a possibly muddy SPAC lawn. We bring pajamas and change the kids in the bathroom when it gets dark for an outdoor pajama dance party.

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Bringing the kids to see Phish in particular to experience everything we love about our favorite band is a major, unforgettable part of our summer. The Glowstick Wars, the outdoor dance parties, the "Little Ragers" stickers, and the friendships of their "Phish Cousins" have become irreplaceable summer memories. I wouldn't have it any other way. If you are on the fence about bringing your kids to Phish, give it a try. Trust me, you have not lived until you've swayed to "Waste" with a sleeping baby in your arms.

Comment below if you have experienced the joy of bringing your kids to Phish! I'd love to hear your stories! We will be at a couple dates for the "Baker's Dozen" at MSG, which means no kids... a whole different Phish experience!