The 4th Mad Tea Party Jam, in Hedgesville, West Virgina, from the 18th to the 21st of June, is all set to be one crazy, eclectic mix of good music, art, and a whole lotta culture! The Sherp is here to help you figure out a plan of action, while at the Mad Tea Party Jam; check out our list of things to do, below –Β
Presented by the Appalachian Jamwich, the Mad Tea Party Jam originally started off as a means to celebrate the anniversary of Elise and Taco Olmstead, the organisers of the Festival! Since 2012, each festival has gotten bigger, and better – with new facilities/events/and schedules every passing year! This year, there’s loads to do at the Mad Tea Party Jam, apart from obviously jiving to the sounds of The Werks, The Mantras, Consider The Source, and Earphunk, you could indulge in any of these, as long as you don’t break the camp’s rules!
1. Dress up every night for the costume party!
At the Mad Tea Party Jam 4, every night, you will experience the manifestation, of what could only be fantasy! Each night has a themed costume party at the festival, and costumes are judged by members of the audience who are playing the roles of covert judges! The themes for this year are quite representative of the fantastic, with “Harry Potter Vs. The Lord Of The Rings“, “Mystical Creatures“, and “All That Shines” being the main themes, though deviations are allowed! And, if you don’t feel like sticking to any of these themes, you’re allowed to dress up as whatever you want!
2. Meet artists, try becoming one
In the past couple of months, art within festivals has seen a huge rise in demand, as well as supply! Here, at the Mad Tea Party Jam, attendees will get the opportunity to witness live art, that connects both the music and the occurrences around them, transformative galleries, and loads of different installations! One of the best parts about this though, is that even if you are not a registered artist with the festival, you can explore, and create and do a whole lot more right on the premises!
3. Make some s’mores with Consider The Source
Sitting around a campfire, singing, probably cuddling up – that’s the first image that might pop into your head when you think of making S’mores, but guess what? At this festival, you’ll be doing all that, and making more with the members of Consider The Source, at the Jam’s very own “Consider The S’mores” night! Take a step back, relax, and interact with all the wonderful people around you!
4. Attend a workshop!
There’s going to be workshops for everything, and almost anything! Ranging from Yoga, to Mandala Making, to Hooping, and even Gardening! While you’re at the Mad Tea Party Jam, make sure you check out these workshops, cause they’re sure as hell going to help you out!
5. Drink to your heart’s content!
In keeping with the trends of empowering the attendees, the Mad Tea Party Jam is another festival where alcohol policies are BYOB, but food and other beverages, are sold at the campsite itself (only for convenience of course). Carry as much as you possibly could want, and party like there’s no tomorrow!
6. Head downstream for a swim
Located on a picturesque farmland, with two watering holes, and trout ponds – as well as a flowing clean river; the festival allows all its goers to go out for a little swim, or indulge in a teeny weeny bit of fishing – but one thing that they don’t allow, is claiming any responsibility towards what happens while you, get a little wet, per se.
7. Watch a fire hooping & aerial performance!
To spruce up the night time entertainment agendas, this year’s Mad Tea Party Jam will play host to aerial performers, who will swing above you, while you fixate onto the ring of fire that the fire hooping performer is creating right in front of you! It’s going to be one helluva festival this weekend!
8. Attend a magic show
(Image Courtesy: DCMetroHeaterArts)
Missed out on a man pulling out a rabbit from a hat, when you were a child? Fear not, the Mad Tea Party Jam is playing host to a travelling magician, on the Harry Potter Vs. Lord Of The Rings themed day, only to add onto your magical experience at the festival this year!
9. Donate! Don’t potate
While the festival serves as a platform for upcoming artists and musicians to showcase some of their talent, even the organisers have decided to dedicate some portion of the festival, to helping young minds achieve their dreams! If you’re an artist, or a musician, that’s looking to get further ahead, head to the JAMMA Scholarship page and try your hand at crowdsourcing your education!
10.Β Go sober camping
And last, but not least – Though the Mad Tea Party Jam is a BYOB festival, partaking in creating a new trend of festival-culture, one of the most intriguing bits of the festival experience at The Mad Tea Party Jam, is the sober and voluntary family camping section – for all those with a “nay” for the alco-beverages!
The Sherp’s been tracking this idea of sober festival-ing, read more about that here, and here!
Tea, Trees, and Tents! We can’t wait to see what happens at the Mad Tea Party Jam, can you?
(All Images Courtesy: The Mad Tea Party Jam Facebook & Web Page)