What do you remember about your summers as a kid? My mom would take me to summer music festivals. I guess that’s why I love music so much and it explains why I do what I do! Now, it’s time for me to start some family summer traditions! The Special Kayes and I go to our share of festivals but a couple of years ago I started taking my older Special Kaye to her first big concert. It was Family Chanel’s Big Ticket Summer Concert . We’ve seen Cody Simpson, Sabrina Carpenter. It’s a great first concert experience for kids. This year the 2 younger Special Kaye’s will get to experience their first big concert. We are excited to see Daya, the cast of The Next Step and Backstage! If you haven’t been to a Big Ticket Summer show here are some tips for you!
1. Bring headphones or ear plugs. As much as we love the artists, sometimes the screaming of other fans can get to the kids. The orange earplugs avail at drugstores work fine. You just twist and put them in your ear canal. OR you can bring your kid’s actual headphones that they might wear in the car or an airplane. We recently upgraded! Don’t get me wrong the orange ear plugs work. However, you’re constantly twisting them up and putting them in your child’s ear and quite a few of them fall on the ground, so buy the 10 pack! Below is what my eldest uses. You can get them at any big box store. Plus, if you want to get crafty you can bedazzle them! My other little ones will probably bring their own headphones or some of mommy’s DJ ones! They have to work up to those yellow ones!
2. Get there early. There are many opportunities to bump into your fave Family Chanel stars. One year we bumped into the cast from The Next Step. They weren’t on yet and wanted to come out and see the show from the auditorium. Also, if you are a trooper and you come a couple hours before the show head to the Ex! Jump on a few rides and have a quick dinner at the food building! But that can make for a long day. You want your kids to enjoy the show. Don’t tire them out too much.
3. Bring an autograph book and 2-3 sharpies. The reason to bring extra sharpies is sometimes the celebrity is whisked away and they forget they have your marker! So bring extra and tuck them away in your purse. OH and if your kid is past the “autograph book” phase I’ve purchased a T- shirt from the venue and had the artists sign it! It’s a great keepsake.
4. Pack rain gear, garbage bags, 1 umbrella, a blanket and a few snacks. The garbage bags work as rain gear and they keep your behind from getting cold from sitting on the ground or those metal stands. As for snacks, the venue may be concerned that you’re sneaking in some granola bars (make sure they are nut free just to be safe) but you and I know sometimes the kids won’t eat the concession food. Then what?! Stuff them with your granola bars or you can try to give them that random mint at the bottom of your bag! If you have a re-useable water container bring it in empty and fill it up at the venue. Gotta keep hydrated.
5. If this is your little one’s first concert you may have to leave early. That’s OK! We usually stay for a couple of the headliners songs and then sing all the way to the car. This year were going to stay til the end because my eldest now gets its! Whether she’s tired or not she wants that encore!
6. Parking is on site but there are cabs available or you could take the eco cabs on site. They line up after the show!
7. Just have fun and sing along to the songs and dance! No one is judging you. We’re all there for the same reason to have a great night out with our kids!
If you haven’t got your tickets yet for The Big Ticket Summer you can get them here We’ll see you at the show tomorrow!
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