In just three days, the LaCroix marketing team will attend Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals in the country. And, while we’re absolutely amped to be going, it will be a first for all of us. So, naturally, it left us wondering (and scrambling a bit!), as to what we need to bring – and how we can best prepare – so that we can work hard AND play hard while we’re there.

Like true Girl Scouts, we brushed up on what the key components are to enduring Coachella, and what one should bring so we can have the best possible time there. Check out the must-knows and must-haves below:

Drink Lots of Water
Even though we’ll be rookies, we don’t want to be mistaken as such, and dehydration is a rookie Coachella mistake. We will be sure to drink at least one can of LaCroix Sparkling Water every hour.

Slather on the Sun Block
Coachella Valley is in the desert, so we’re expecting laser beams of light (aka sunshine) and warm weather. So, no matter your race or creed, slather on the sun block as no one wants the harmful effects of UV rays, let alone a bad sunburn that could make the rest of the festival a painful, miserable experience. We recommend a Waterproof SPF of 50 or higher.

Mom Was Right… Wear Comfortable Shoes!
Because you’ll be on your feet for at least 13 hours a day, you need to be realistic and leave the stilettos at home. Your best bet is to wear shoes that are practical. And, while some will opt for i.e. Birkenstocks during the day, keep in mind the following:
· Open shoes attract dust, dirt and muck = yuck
· Temperatures will dip at night in the desert
· Your feet may be potentially trod upon by thousands of fellow festivalgoers
For these reasons and more, ankle boots are the overall recommended choice. But, if you can swing bringing both in a backpack or tote, more power to you!

Porto-Potty Necessities
You thought your local music fest’s Porto-Potty is gross? Imagine what the Coachella one will be like. Don’t forget to bring toilet paper (yep, we said it), baby wipes and hand sanitizer.

Stay in Charge
We recommend putting your phone in ‘airplane mode’ so that the battery lasts longer. Just remember you won’t be able to pick up Wi-Fi that way and will need to rely on your carrier’s data. Also, if you can afford a portable cell charger, be sure to bring it with you. Most of them are small enough to put in your pocket. Simply charge it the night before in your hotel room (or your van)?!

Bring a Hat
Wearing a hat during the festival is another great way to protect your hair, eyes and skin from UV rays. The other upside, they are super trendy and can call attention to your face, as opposed to your practical shoes. 😉

First Aid Kit
You can find one of these in your local pharmacy. Most come filled with Band-Aids and an anti-bacterial cream. Be sure to add a hand sanitizer to the mix (see Porto-Potty must-haves above), and you are ready to go. Hopefully, you won’t need this, but as the old saying goes, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Coachella 2015 Official App
Download it prior to getting there so you can check out the lineup section to view the entire list of artists and performers for both weekends, see shuttle schedules, activate your wristband, and much more.

Cash is King
If you don’t want to risk losing your debit/credit card, and you don’t want to get stuck paying ridiculous ATM fees, we recommend bringing cold, hard CA$H.

Focus on Fun & Plan in Advance
We know you’ll be excited when you get there. You’ll want to see everyone, and do everything. Just remember to focus on doing the things you really want to do. After all, we can’t be everywhere at once, so there’s no need to stress about it, or get overwhelmed. Also, to eliminate unwanted anxiety, put a plan in place with your friends each day as to where you will meet each night and at what time, that way you can party like the rock star you are, but know that there is safety in numbers by evening’s end.

Be sure to follow our journey by searching for #LaCroixAtCoachella on Instagram and Twitter.