DelFest is all about family and good times. The Kidzone is just as favored as the adult spaces, so be prepared to let your kids create, learn, watch, and participate in a myriad of fun activities. Register your children to get their wristband; it not only serves as a pass for the Kidzone but is a safety feature in the event you and your child get separated at any time over the course of the festival.
Your children can chalk paint, decorate a t-shirt, play with water balloons, and learn fun dance moves. There is a kid’s parade and a talent show where all can participate. Balloon twisting and a magic demonstration round out the fun.
The parent’s lounge is there for you to catch your breath while the little ones play. After, head over to the yoga area to rejuvenate and relax at the same time. Teens can take over the tent after Kidzone is done, with just enough supervision to allow them to feel independent. This after-hours space is open until later in the evening.
Book your onsite camping early as the RV sites typically sell out within weeks of the first sale date. Be in the middle of the action, and you won’t miss a minute of this unique musical extravaganza, centered on the togetherness of family and new friends.
Plan to attend DelFest and take a ticket payment plan. This enables you to purchase an RV camping spot and buy your festival admission pass. Visit www.delfest.com to see the options. Expect to pay around $300 to bring your RV, with an extra fee for the festival passes. Choose the Deluxe VIP pass for approximately $1700, and reap the benefits of admission to the fun, a spot for an RV with full hookup, grandstand seating, t-shirts, drinks and more.
There are several major cities within a few hours of DelFest. Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh are around two hours away, so if you’d like to visit a bustling metropolis along the way, choose one of these cities. US Route 220 and US Route 40 will take you to the fun, as will Interstate 68. To keep abreast of weather warnings and road closures, take note of the local radio station and tune in as you approach.
Buy an onsite parking pass for three or four days if you have a tow vehicle. Ins and outs are allowed, but parking is at a premium and the area will be busy. If your vehicle with trailer or your RV is longer than 18 feet, an RV parking pass is required. There is also field parking with no ins and outs, and off-site parking with a shuttle option which can be bought as single and multi-day passes.
DelFest is easily reached via shuttle, with several good options to allow you a stress-free ride to the festivities. Allegany County government runs a convenient shuttle, and there is also transportation from Allegany College, with a continuous run from the college parking lots to the main entrance of DelFest.
DelFest is a festival where your family can camp, meet new friends, partake in activities, and sleep under the skies. Tent camping is in a close-quarters area, and no cars are permitted there; however, shuttles run to get your family and gear to the site. Family camp is an environment where early to bed and early to rise is expected, so if you have little ones, claim a spot here. Vehicles with a trailer and rigs (both over 18 feet) are considered RVs and must have an RV camping pass. Choose from dry or the hookup section, but book early to ensure a spot.
The right campsite for you and your gang is just a few miles away from DelFest if you do not wish to camp at the festival site. Make hiking a part of your camping adventure and keep an eye open for local wildlife at Rocky Gap State Park, 15 minutes away by vehicle. Select a spot in the shade or, if you prefer the sun and heat, park in a roomy, open area. Large sites are the norm at many campgrounds, and you can easily drive through to set up your home away from home. Place lawn chairs around the fire ring and you are all set.
For toting the kids, wagons and strollers are allowed but leave the Segways, ATVs and golf carts at home. The busyness of the campgrounds and festival does not allow for motorized vehicles of any type. Your best walking shoes are called for at this outdoor location. Bring along both sandals and closed-toe footwear because the nights can cool down and you don’t want chilly feet to send you back to the RV early.
Pack comfy clothing for exploring and festival attending. Jeans, shorts, and t-shirts fit the bill as do running shoes for hiking the trails of the area. Bring along jackets for cool evenings around the campfire, and wash and wear-type clothes in the event of messy s’mores with gooey marshmallows and chocolate. Days at DelFest will call for a fun and floppy hat as protection from the sun’s strong rays. Rain gear is a must, too, in case inclement weather makes an appearance.
Set the campsite up with a shade cover and bring along a tarp in case of rain, so that you can set up a play area for the kids. On festival day, you can bring a small, lunch-sized cooler for snacks and to stow your refillable water bottle. No outside alcohol can be brought into the grounds, but you can have sealed water bottles, kids’ drinks, and baby formula in your cooler. Small lawn chairs and shade structures can be set up at the festival during the day but must be removed concert time so as not to hinder the view of the grandstand.
With a focus on the family, safety and consideration of others are priorities. Generators cannot run earlier than the regulations allow. Enjoy your campfire as long as you have a fire ring and fire extinguisher as part of your RV supplies. Teach the kids fire safety from day one and set up your ring in an out-of-the-way location. Apply sunscreen and bug spray liberally to keep family members burn and bug-bite free.
Food at the festival is plentiful and varied, so keep things simple back at camp. With a full schedule during the day, cooking won’t be at the top of the list. Pack the camp stove and fill the propane before leaving home. Prep lasagna, chili, a hearty soup, and foil veggie packets for quick and easy meals. Stock the RV fridge with yogurt, fruit, muffins, and eggs for delicious, stress-free breakfasts.
While exploring historic Cumberland, stop for a satisfying meal in a German or Italian eatery. Visit a creamery, where sandwiches, wraps, and soups are the specialty. The kids may ask for a pit-stop at the wood-fired pizza place and then suggest a dessert of chocolate ice cream.
Credit cards are accepted at most of the vendors, and you can also make use of the onsite ATMs to purchase artisan wares like musical instruments and clothing. Support the local vendors and the craftspeople that have traveled from afar to showcase their talent. Buy a handbag from Nepal or jewelry from Bali. Local folks have unique items on display such as handmade soap, bamboo clothing, and outdoor blankets. Get a henna tattoo or investigate how to look after your skin organically.
Volunteers will ask for cooperation with keeping the music low and to a minimum at all camping areas, except the family camp which has quiet hours designed for the littlest of festival-goers. No cans or glass at the festival, and you must leave your pets at home. If you have a certified service animal, have their identifiable gear on; documentation must be credentialled when you arrive.
May weather makes for ideal temperatures for attending DelFest. Bring along warm clothing, however, because the temperature can dip considerably from the daytime highs. Rain is not a stranger to any party, but when rain gear is in place, no one’s spirits are dampened in the least. Pack the camper with warm blankets for cozy nights listening to the crickets as you fall asleep.
The medical booth at DelFest is manned 24 hours a day and is easily spotted near the grandstand. ADA patrons will find the festival to be accommodating, with plenty of parking and campsites near the amenities. The venue is paved, although if the weather is wet, assistance may be needed to maneuver the campground. Stock the RV with a first-aid kit that contains band-aids, antibiotic cream, and all the supplies you will need to save a trip to the local pharmacy.
