Free Press Summer Fest

06.03.10 at 2:41 p.m.
Melissa Fitzgerald

Here Comes the Sun

It’s here.  The heat is officially here.  And we’re ok with that because the heat means many a good thing.  Fresh sun tans, swimming in pools without having to do the baby step temperature adjustment process and for Houstonians, it means the Free Press Summer Fest happening this weekend, June 5 and 6.  Now in its second year, this fest is quickly becoming an official sign of the season for summer lovers and music lovers.  The festival is held in Eleanor Tinsley Park on the banks of the Buffalo Bayou, just on the outskirts of downtown.  The juxtaposition of modern skyscrapers meeting preserved nature creates an unforgettable setting for tapping into your urban-tree hugger within.  

Round two of FPSF promises an even better line-up, more sustainability and more bang for your precious buck.  Catch Oklahoma City natives, The Flaming Lips burning up the stage as the headliner this year.  Other exciting acts include Girl Talk, Slim Thug & Bun B, Ra Ra Riot, and my personal favorite, Stars.  My co-worker Heather Pray, connoisseur of all things dark and quirky, is particularly jazzed about the presence of two of her local faves, I Am Mesmer and Come See my Dead Person.  Attendees last year enjoyed gliding down slip 'n slides, collapsing into dunking booths and playing crowd-style volleyball with colorful beach balls that ended up looking more like bouncing décor than kiddie pool toys.  Here is a little list of dos and don’ts for a successful festival going experience.

DO:  invite your friends, buy passes in advance, wear sunscreen, bring cash, don your most summery swimsuit & cover up, bring towels or blankets for sitting (and staking your territory), bring sunglasses and your camera (sans detachable lenses).

DON’T:  bring outside food or drink (it will be for sale inside the doors), wear a turtleneck, bring umbrellas, canopies, tents or other pointy obstructions, samurai swords, nunchucks or any weapon, and most of all DON’T miss this event.

FPSF passes are sold in a weekend package only, no day passes will be issued.  The passes come in various levels starting at a mere $40 and “Fancy Pants” pass holders skip the lines for $65.  The “Super High Rollers” package features incredible things like two weekend passes, a night’s stay in a hotel, free food and drink, 2 FPSF t-shirts and the ability to “point and laugh at people of lower socio-economic status” for only $600.  I mean… can we say sold?  Passes are available for purchase online at www.freepresssummerfest.com or at a number of local businesses whose locations can be found on their website as well.

So lather up your sunblock and get ready to get rock.  The heat is on, and that’s a good thing.

Watch a video overview of the Free Press Summer Fest here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAMTd6S2nFk&feature=player_embedded#!

downtown, Free Press Summer Fest, music