Rock the Garden 2014: Everything You Need to Know
June 22, 2014
Two days of Rock the Garden and the official kickoff to summer is finally here! We've compiled a list of everything you need to know about this year's festival to make sure you have the best experience possible.
Here's everything you need to know about...
Getting to the Garden
Ride any Metro Transit bus or METRO line (including the new Green Line) for free from 1 p.m. until midnight on both June 21 and 22. Just print your transit pass here.
This is a bike-friendly event. Feel free to ride your bike and park it on one of the many racks outside Rock the Garden. Bike racks are being picked up Sunday night at 10:30 p.m. with your bike on it or not.
If you choose to carpool, parking is available at the Dunwoody Institute (north end of the Garden).
Taxi drop-off is front of 1 Groveland Terrace near the intersection of Groveland and Hennepin Ave.
Into the Great Wide Open
Sunblock. Always sunblock.
It may be nice this weekend, but prolonged rains the last few days will make the hill somewhat muddy. Putting a tarp under your blanket or wearing your rain boots are advisable actions. And it can't hurt to bring an extra pair of socks. Soggy socks are no fun.
It may rain. Pack a poncho; they're small and they cost $2 in the camping section at any major retailer (we'll be selling them at The Current tent, too). No umbrellas are allowed at Rock the Garden.
Put your smartphone in a ziplock baggie. You'll still be able to use it (maybe not the camera), and it'll stay dry.
Text "garden" (without quotes) to 677677 to receive official Rock the Garden weather updates.
RTG Life Hacks
Charge up your phone. The Best Buy booths will have phone chargers for all make and models, but probably not enough for everyone's phone at the same time.
Bring earplugs! With the new Minneapolis earplug ordinance in place, hearing loss awareness is at an all time high. This is a music festival, and it will be loud.
Text "garden" (without quotes) to 677677 to receive official Rock the Garden event information like set times and weather updates.
If you Twitter, the official hashtag is #RockTheGarden.
This is a zero-waste event. If you bring it in with you, take it out with you.
Take time to soak in the festival — the headliner is wrapping up before you know it. There is a 10 p.m. hard stop. Be kind to the neighbors; we are in a residential setting.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
No food or drinks allowed into event except empty water bottles, which can be filled with water provided by TapMpls.
Food and drink vendors are all using tickets for services this year. One ticket = one dollar. Tickets are good for food and drink throughout Rock the Garden.
Ticket booths only accept cash; ATMs will be at the top of the hill on Groveland, on Vineland and the corridor between P1 (parking garage) and Bazinet Lobby.
Our vendors: Best Way Gyros, Taulelle Concessions, Butcher and the Boar, Jerry's Cherry Lemonade, Talenti Gelato, Drock Kettle Corn, World Street Kitchen, Nitch's Pies and Cakes, Chef Shack
Swag
The Current, Walker and band merchandise including Rock the Garden t-shirts and event branded posters are on sale at the top of the hill in the merch area.
ATMs will be at the top of the hill on Groveland, on Vineland and the corridor between P1 (parking garage) and Bazinet Lobby.
Baby, Come Back
You can leave Rock the Garden and get back in, no problem, but you have to get a stamp on your way out first (available at any Rock the Garden gate).
What about the fútbol match?
We will not be screening the USA vs. Portugal game (kickoff 4 p.m.), however, you can leave Rock the Garden and get back in no problem. You'll just have to get a stamp on your way out first (available at any Rock the Garden gate).
The great thing about a rock festival in the middle of the city is that there are tons of bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. Here's a list of places showing the match.
Good news for procrastinators!
Tickets are still available for purchase. Get up front and center in general admission, kick it in the VIP green room with The Current deejays or go all out and upgrade to the VIP Skybox — we're happy to have you at Rock the Garden.
You can either print your tickets (preferred) at home or show the ticket on your smartphone to gain entry at Rock the Garden.
We'll see you at Rock the Garden!