Summer festivals are at the pinnacle of popularity and seem to be getting hotter each year.  With several returning fests and some debuting this year, one that most seem to know, even if they can’t pronounce it, is Lollapalooza.

Lollapalooza began in 1991 as the brain child of Janes Addiction’s Perry Farrell.  As a traveling festival, it featured everybody’s favorite hard rock and grunge groups of the early ’90s on the main stage: Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers.  The fest ended in 1997 but was brought to life again in 2005, this time with a completely new way of doingthings.  Instead of touring for months at a time, the festival would stay put and be celebrated for just one weekend in Chicago–right in the middle of beautiful Grant Park.  Since being revived 5 years ago, Lollapalooza has only gotten more popular and headline worthy with its memorable shows and eclectic lineup choices.  There’s now something for everybody–whether it’s blues, techno, pop, hard rock, etc. you’re bound to find talented musical acts big and small that are pleasing to the ears.  Headliners this year include: Lady Gaga, a reunited Soundgarden, Green Day and Arcade Fire, not to mention the Black Keys, MGMT, the Strokes and Blues Traveler.  Check out http://2010.lollapalooza.com/user/57201/bands for the complete lineup, where you can even make your own customized schedule.

Every summer festival is unique and if you’re a rookie to the “Lolla” scene (that’s what you can call it after you’ve been at least once), there are a few crucial bits of information you need to know in order to enjoy your experience and leave in one piece during the weekend of August 6-8th, 2010.

1.  Stay hydrated.  Sounds pretty simple, but you’d be surprised at how many forget to drink water when it’s 85 degrees out.  It’s no fun having your lifeless, dehydrated body dragged through a crowd of people that are trying to sing and dance to Lady Gaga to the First Aid tent.

2.  Wear comfortable shoes.  I never do, and I pay for it every single year.  By Sunday, your feet will be unrecognizable and thrice their size from being on them for 12+ hours each day, walking the hike from one end of Grant Park to the other in the August heat, and being a dancing machine.  If you’re like me and convince yourself each year that flip flops are comfortable, even when they’re melting to your feet, just don’t be frightened when you look down and see feet that would belong on a pregnant woman in her third trimester.

3.  Know where you are.  If you’re new to the Chicago area and are taking the subway to get to Grant Park, it will save you a lot of stress to know which train to take and which stop to get off at.  You don’t want to learn the hard way.  AKA you don’t want to end up in an unfamiliar area like the kids in Adventures in Babysitting in the middle of a gang fight.

4.  Scout out the porta-potties. Don’t wait until your bladder is about to explode to find a bathroom.  Most times, you’re going to have to wait in a long line, and the body does not appreciate having to wait that long.  You might even want to bring a few dollars in line to bribe someone and cut in front of them (I have a “friend” who did that once in an act of desperation…)

5.  Pace yourself.  Music starts at noon and ends at roughly 10 pm each day of the festival.  If you’re there for all ten hours, make sure you’re not drinking so much you’ll pass out before the end of the day.  Know your limits.  Also, 10 pm is early and Chicago is an amazing city with bars that stay open ’til all hours, so you don’t want to miss a second of the fun.  I personally love to enjoy the festival during the day and then head to Hangge Uppe’s bar for some dancing to my favorite ’80s sing-alongs until the sun rises after the shows.

Check out www.lollapalooza.com for the complete lineup and ticket information.  Take those few tips into consideration and have an open mind and you’re sure to experience a weekend of exceptional music and fun you’ll never forget in the windy city.