BABIES' FIRST MUSIC FESTIVAL

September 20, 2013

This year, Lyndze and I finally decided to hit up the big festival that Victoria holds every Sepetember.  Rifflandia consists of three days of outdoor music in a park just outside of the downtown core and three evenings of music in bars and venues around town. It would probably be considered primarily an indie music festival except for its head-liners at the park.  One of the head-liners this year that we were very excited about was Courtney Love. She was a late addition to the festival and Lyndze and I were really excited as it was a chance to feel like angst-y teenagers again and due to the fact that the park portion of the festival is incredibly family friendly it gave us a chance to introduce our kids to some of those feelings early on!  There are some pics and a few videos below of our time there. Lyndze, Carleigh, and I did get a chance to hit one of the evening venues but I think we both really came out loving the time we got to spend with the kids there.  Perhaps a bit more time in the beer garden would have been nice but we'll be happy with what we got.

    

As it is a very loud event there are great kids earphones you can pick up. Here is Fin rocking a pair while he listens to The Mounties play on the main stage.

 There was a large tented area called "Kid-landia" that had lots of fun activities for kids as well as a nice comfortable couch for breastfeeding mom's and a nice clean place changing diapers.  There were also a tone of fun volunteers there ready to play with the kids.  As you can see from the expression above,  Fin loved it and really did not want to leave.

 This was just a huge box filled with coloured rice. Fin loved it and Lyndze is considering making something similar for the daycare.

 Fin and Mom enjoying some french fries together while listening to Corb Lund.

 There were two stages at the park that would rotate so while the crowds were at the second stage we decided to relax for a few minutes, get the head phones off and crawl around. There was a grassy space at the back where most of the families hung out which was fantastic because it gave Fin some kids to run around with all day!

 Here is Seamus rocking his headphones.  We were a little concerned that he would not be happy with them as they were so large but he really did not seem to mind.

Here is a video of Seamus at the concert. As the video goes on he really starts to get into the music. Rock On, little guy!

We snacked and lunched on our blanket in the sun.  It was a beautiful and warm weekend.

There were a lot of other young families; dozens of strollers lined the back of the audience.  There were many kids wearing the ear protection.

Here is a video of Fin dancing a bit to Classified.

There was an opportunity to paint.  Fin and Lyndze left their marks.

Fin loved the blocks at kidlandia.

He kept going back for more and loved when the volunteers built towers around him so he could knock them down!

Shay slept in the Ergo, but Lyndze took him into the crowd and close to the stage during shows as well.

It did rain for most of Sunday afternoon/evening.  Fin loved the rain though!  Getting to hold/play with an umbrella is pretty fun.

He could also chill in this tepee to stay dry.

Shay is really loving standing.  He was holding the gate and standing all on his own!

Everyone loves a moustache ride!  I actually got my hair cut at one of the festival barber shops.  This was part of their décor.  

Seamus loved his sweet ride as well as the music.  But most of all, he just loved having his mama, daddy, and big brother all day for three days!

Fin loved the same stuff but also this riser - it was a playground for him!

Carleigh was working the VIP beer garden and Fin was calling out to her through the fence.

Amazing shows.  So well-organized and lots of stuff to do.  Also, it was a great place to grab some food and just hang out and do nothing but be together.  We can't wait to do it again next year!

Hopefully there will be more moustache rides in 2014!