Arts & Jazz is underway as we speak and it wouldn't be A&J weekend without a little rain, y'all. Before heading out, though, we wanted to take a second and share some advice with y'all as to how to best enjoy the festival, now in its 36th year. Below, you will find a few "Do's and Don'ts" that may help you in your outing to eat fried foots, playing in wet ditches, avoiding teens, eating meats on sticks, buying/making art, and maybe even taking in a little live music over the weekend. Read on for more.
Go with a larger group and bring some chairs, blankets, and umbrellas. If a couple of you want to go check out a different show, your spot will be saved, voila! Normally a blanket on the ground will suffice, but with all the rain from earlier today, we're imagining that the There may not be any rain the forecast for Saturday and Sunday, but it is Arts and Jazz Fest, so the rain will find a way.
Rain boots.
Do your best to avoid the plethora of high school students who think this is the Denton version of Woodstock. They tend to congregate in the drainage ditch and if you’re over the age of 20, attempting to walk into the drainage ditch will most likely end in a fatality. Also, the kids will probably plant drugs on you after your fall and that’s no good.
Wait for the sound of freshly popping kettle corn and then wait in the long line for it. It’s worth it. You can go home and forget about the jazz and stuff after that and go home with a full stomach and some regrets.
Seek out the best food vendors. There are quite a few local restaurants that will have booths at A&J. Look around to find the spot that speaks to you and your stomach before settling for regular smoked turkey legs with a side of funnel cake.
Widen your scope beyond the music. The art area is always amazing. Also, make a point to stop by the Ceramic Guild’s booth. They make some of the best mugs around.
Bring plenty of cash. Many vendors aren’t up with the Square game yet, so if you don’t have a couple Abe Lincolns on ya, you’re gonna be meat-on-a-stick-less and sad.
Walk or bike there if possible. If not, park north of the square or grab an Uber.
Don’t fall down on the bridge between the library and the civic center during potential human stampedes. In fact, try to avoid the bridge completely if at all possible.
Don't even try to look for close parking after noon. Be prepared to walk from The Greenhouse at a minimum. Better yet, bike or walk there.