The Guide to having a Free Party
Foreword:
There are many elements to running a successful party. Certainly this document isn’t going to tell you how to run your party, nor what exactly makes a good event. We’ll leave that for you to decide. However we hope that the following guidelines (gathered from experience) prove useful…
The Party:
1. Don’t over estimate the power of sound:
A good sound system and dj’s won’t necessarily make a good party. A successful party comes from a crowd of people enjoying themselves and having fun. Room to move is important, so is a good vibe, amenities (food and drinks stalls, toilets, etc), having enough light, somewhere chill out, to sit and relax, and keeping trouble makers out.
Rather than focussing all your attention on the sound system and artists, remember that details count.
2. You are not criminals:
Don’t be fooled by the authorities, you are not criminals! Respect the law, don’t give the authorities the power to stop your party by breaking it.
3. Health and safety:
Always have a first aid kit on hand together with the numbers of a hospital and other emergency services. If possible someone experienced in first aid should be present at your party.
Make a free supply of water available, also keep some fruit handy. Place fire extinguishers near electrical equipment, make sure people know where they are and how to use them.
Before a party, try to clear any broken glass and dangerous debris away to help avoid accidents. Highlight your toilets, bins and keep entrances clear of people and equipment. Wires should be trailed above head height not exposed. Gangways and fire exits must be kept clear; fireproof all backdrops and decor.
If someone looks unwell, approach them in a non threatening manner and ask how they are. If they ask for your help take the time to offer them the support they need.
4. Parking:
Keep parked vehicles off public roads. Bad parking practice can harm a party in several ways. They can alert the authorities to the fact that something is going on. They can give them a valid reason to try to stop the proceedings and they can make it difficult for emergency services to get on to your site.
5. Vandalism and troublemakers:
Don’t tolerate vandalism or anti social behavior. Act as a group, show a determined and united front, politely ask those responsible to stop being disruptive. Let them know their behavior isn’t wanted at the party, perhaps stop the music in order to get their full attention. Suggest that they should leave if they don’t feel able to contribute to a positive vibe.
6. Rubbish:
Remove any rubbish left after a party, put it into bags and dispose of it safely. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the beauty of your surroundings, remember to leave them the way you found them 🙂
7. Running a hotline:
Prefix directions to your party with the date and time of the party. That way if your crew is out one week and resting the next, you save prospective party goers a potentially long trek out to an idle site.
If you have a website, post directions online at the last minute and give out the URL. The web is a good way for party goer’s to plan their drive to your site. Good reference websites for driving directions are: the Ordinance Survey Maps website for the UK and Map Quest for Europe and the US.
Don’t let your hotline idle. Whether it’s active or not, try to at least leave a message telling people what you’re up to or how to find out what you’ll be up to in the future. If you change hotline numbers, make sure you leave a link from the old to the new.
Be as accurate and descriptive as possible with your directions. If your party is in the countryside, use landmarks as a reference (bridges, pubs, etc) and leave noticeable markers on the road (signs, cones, etc). If the party is in town, carefully spell out the name of the road and neighborhood the party is in. Also it’s useful to stress a postcode, in case there are more than one roads with the same name in that town. Of course it’s important to give out the name of the town your party is in, not everyone trying to reach you will be local or familiar with your area.
Speak clearly, mobile phones often don’t enjoy the best reception. Make it as easy as possible for the listener to understand your directions. If you move site remember to update your hotline messages. If you’ve given out a hotline number, expect people to use it. Getting to a party can be stressful, make an effort to communicate calmly with the person listening to your directions.
8. Handling the police and authorities:
Have only a small number of people deal with any police presence. Be civil, polite and communicate that your party isn’t aimed at disruption, you have gathered to have fun as a group… peacefully.
Avoid conflict, mediate with them, listen to what they have to say. It may be that simply turning the volume down a little, opening fire exits (ed: don’t miss read that statement! we’re not suggesting you should open fire on the authorities) or moving some of those cars parked around the site might appease them enough to let the party continue.
9. A note on personal freedom:
We believe that it is the responsibility of the individual to look after themselves as grown and educated adults. We choose to make our own choices. We choose the right to party and free ourselves through dance and music. Most of all we recognise that personal freedom should not interfere with the freedom of others…”
