4/9/2019 Music/festivals are a healthy way to escape...

First, is novelty or an out of the ordinary experience. It is an enjoyable event that happens periodically, and you create an abundance of anticipation before it(2). In the case of large music festivals, this unique experience is often once per year. Ever find yourself counting down the weeks or days before a show? Human enjoy novelty, this is why we change cars, purchase new clothes, and look for new restaurants to eat at. s common among many humans to experience something different from their everyday life.

Humans have a tendency to escape. The Iso-Ahola's (1982) motivation theory suggests individuals are driven by the desire to escape their everyday environment. Movies, drugs, vacations; are all a temporary change of our realities, a way to forget about our worries and woes. Attending a festival lets us immerse ourselves into the world with removed social pressures, and no expectations; we leave our everyday responsibilities of work or school.

Socialization, the desire to interact with known and unknown individuals; is the most common motivator reported for attending festival or musical events.

Also, being among others is a socially innate and healthy behavior; isolation is against your nature. Going to a festival with friends, family, and meeting new strangers are all part of the socialization aspect of the music festival. What an experience it is to have with friends and loved ones; but also with a group of friendly and welcoming strangers. Most all attendees are on the same wave-length, wanting to have a memorable time, and experience the music or festive in its entirety. It isn't uncommon to exchange numbers, become instant friends. There are no barriers of races, class, and occupations. There are only people. This social experience is part of the magic that these festivals produce. A sense of camaraderie. It is similar to a sports event, but everyone is on the same team, and there are no losers. The commonality between everyone at the event, singing, and dancing to the same song is a special feeling; almost indescribable at times because of the genuine connection felt among the crowd. These opportunities for positive socialization interactions are rare occurrences in our day-to-day lives, but at a festival it is frequent.

I don't mind proving a social experiment. It was a enjoyed day, going with someone special to visit historical reenactments of a time long ago. Trying the foods of the time, song, dress and tools of the period. Definitely a healthy something different, meeting new and interesting people and bonus we got out into the wind!

Hope ya'll find a time to enjoy the same!

Nana