Unsure about 80/35? Then You Need To Go.

For those who are unsure about 80/35, then you probably have not been down here before.  In the previous 4 years, I can’t recall talking to anyone who’s ever regretted attending this (even during the rain storms 3 years ago).

Let’s first get over the fact that it’s going to be hot…like over 100 degrees hot today.  Today’s shows don’t start until 5pm and anything else you would do today will cause sweating anyways.  Memorable experiences will not come from staying in an Air Conditioned house on the couch.  Catching the 14 bands that play between 5-11pm tonight will definitely have the “one-up”. 

If you don’t have a ticket, it’s still free to go!

Plenty of people come down just to check out the free areas and stages.  This is probably one of the easiest 2-day music festivals to get in and out of.  The layout of closed streets downtown will be surrounded by free parking after 6pm Friday on the street + free parking ramps all day Saturday.  For the entertainment itself, catch Dave Murphy’s post “A Dozen 80/35 Free Stage Acts You Should Try Not To Miss“.

If you’re still on the fence about going, here’s why you should…Most festival goers and even the bands themselves have respected a unique element of 80/35, which is that it’s primarily put on by volunteers.  Knowing several friends within the Des Moines Music Coalition, I’ve watched them pour their energy into this out of passion alone.  Almost everyone involved besides primary contractors & vendors are not getting paid, they just do it because they know it’s good for Des Moines.  Corporate sponsorship mainly comes from within Iowa and serves the purpose of covering festival expenses and keeping your ticket cost low.

No demands here… If it’s not your thing then it’s not your thing!  If you’re not sure if it’s your thing, then you’re better off finding that out this weekend.