JULY 2024 MINIFEST FAQs
(regular updates are ongoing)
Here is the list of everything you might need to know. If you have any other questions email minifestmail@gmail.com or find one of the Minifest team in the registration area when you arrive.
Alcohol
This year Minifest is strictly BYO. There are shops not far at all from the site.
Remember our free Cocktail Hour* and hat competition. If the weather is hot, don’t forget to stay hydrated, all the water on the Minifest site is drinkable. If anyone needs help, we have a first aiders on hand to assist.
Arrivals
You can arrive from 3pm on Friday 26th July. Parking is in a field nearby (see Parking below). For safety reasons there will be NO driving onto the camping field at all and campervans must wait to be ‘guided on’ the site by an organiser.
Once you are settled, come and register to get your wristbands and full programme for the weekend.
Arts and Crafts
The children arts and crafts tent is open from 12-4pm on Saturday afternoon. After 6pm, it becomes a cinema / chill out zone until midnight.
Bring (what to)
Booze, Cash, Camping equipment, Hat (see Cocktail Hour), Earplugs, Eye masks, Food, Picnic chairs, Plates and Mugs (see Rubbish Disposal below), Rugs, Torches, Warm clothes, Yoga mats.
Camping
Minifest camping is in a campsite, not far from the stage and food areas, and away from cars and other vehicles. Bell tents – we have a limited number of bell tents which can be hired for the weekend. These are extremely popular so we do have a waiting list. If you are interested in a bell tent, contact us on minifestmail@gmail.com
When you arrive, find a space, it’s ok to camp next to someone you don’t know yet… we are all friends at the Minifest! See also Parking below for further information.
Cash Machines
We do not have a cash machine on site. Please bring cash for buying food and drinks if you fancy.
Charity
Every year we give the surplus profit from Minifest to charity. We haven’t chosen one for this year yet. Check out our Info page for further details.
Children
As always, there are lots of children attending Minifest. We strive to make the Minifest safer every year so cars are not allowed on the campsite and will be parked in the neighbouring field.
Children’s activities are for all ages these include team games and arts and crafts.
Please note that your children are your responsibility at all times.
Lost Children information will be available at Registration, in the First Aid tent and on the information boards.
Please think of the safety of kids when storing any unsafe substances (e.g. lighter fuel, alcohol, medicine etc.) and if you have a fire pit or BBQ in the camping area
Cocktail Hour
As always, free cocktails will be served early on Saturday evening to everyone wearing a silly hat. So don’t forget your hats for a free glass of Martinican Rhum punch or some of our famous flavoured spirits. Our theme this year is Tropical Island! Remember that there is the annual competition for the best hat…
Covid
In order to help us to reduce the spread of COVID 19, we ask that you do not attend the Festival if you are considered at risk (testing positive, displaying symptoms or requiring to self-isolate). Please take an LFT before attending the Festival.
Fields
Minifest hires out a lovely campsite. Please note that we are guests on a working farm and that people should NOT venture into the fields adjoining the Minifest camping. We must respect the farm’s environment. Let’s take collective responsibility. So please pass on this message to your children and anyone you see who is going into the fields.
Drugs
Minifest is a family friendly festival. We are keen to make sure we have a clean and safe environment for all. Please have a responsible attitude and remember that there are a lot of kids around. We have a qualified nurse on site so if anyone needs assistance, help is on hand.
Fire Safety
The health and safety of everyone at Minifest is extremely important to us.
Please make sure everyone in your party is made aware of the following points:
- Please respect the no smoking signs that are up in certain parts of the site e.g. near the straw bales
- Fireworks, flares, flaming torches and candles are NOT allowed anywhere on the Minifest site
- BBQs and camping gas stoves are allowed in the camping field but please make sure that they are supervised at all times by a responsible adult
- Firepits/firebowls are only permitted if they are a safe height from the ground (recommended 70cm) and that you have a working fire extinguisher nearby
- Please make sure that you do not burn the grass in the field or leave piles of burnt or unused wood when you leave. This is a working farm and animals including horses will be the next occupants of the camping field!
- There will be fire extinguishers available across the whole site including the camping field. A map showing all the locations will be on the notice boards in the Barn and Dairy so please make yourselves familiar with this important information.
First Aid
We have some qualified first aiders on site throughout Minifest so if you need help , make your way to the First Aid tent.
Food
There will a professional food caterer for the weekend. A menu will be shared beforehand so you know what to expect. They will also sell cold drinks and ice cream. The lovely coffee lady from last year will be back too. Please bring cash or payment facilities. They will be serving food from Friday night to Sunday morning.
Loos
Campsite loos will be available.
Music
Music starts on Friday with DJs on our main stage.
Saturday brings the open mic, kids disco, some live bands and many DJs, until late.
Come and check out the full programme of exciting music on the information boards.
Noise
As you might imagine, the Minifest can be noisy: from football cheers on Saturday morning to late night music on Friday and Saturday nights! We will be turning the sound down to a sensible level after a certain time on both nights.
It’s best to come prepared if you struggle to sleep. Invest in some good earplugs – Loop earplugs are just wonderful!
Open Mic
Open Mic will be on Saturday afternoon and you can sign up in advance at Registration. Make sure you bring a backing track, ideally on a CD.
Parking
Parking will be in a (very) nearby field. Cars will NOT be allowed in the camping area. This is primarily for safety. Did you know that half of our Minifesters are under 17?
There will be no driving onto the camping field and campervans must wait to be ‘guided on’ the site by an organiser.
Luckily, we have a fantastic venue and the walk from car boot to tent pitch can be as little as 50 yards.
There will be lots more space for camping too.
Please note vehicles and contents are left at owners risk.
Pets
We are sorry but pets including dogs are not welcome at Minifest.
Rubbish disposal
Do think about how you dispose of your rubbish especially plastics and consider the following:
Recycle:
Glass – do not bring glass bottles to the festival site
Plastics, paper, magazines, cans & cardboard – can now be recycled in the general recycling bins if it is CLEAN
Pizza boxes & dirty cardboard – can be recycled separately
Broken tents, chairs, gazebos etc – please take these home to your local tip (or why not try and fix them!)
Reuse:
Water bottles – all the water on the site is safe to drink so why not ‘abandon’ bottled water and just bring reusable bottles which you can refill
Cups – we will be selling Minifest Cups which can be reused year after year and avoids wasting lots of disposable plastic cups and glasses
Reduce:
Landfill – hopefully, we can significantly reduce the amount of rubbish that is sent to landfill after Minifest
Showers
There are onsite showers. Please bring your own towels and shower products.
Theme
Our theme this year is Tropical Island! No explanation needed… let’s party like it’s the Caribbean. Make yourself a silly themed hat for our Cocktail Hour.