CurlFest 2019 Photo Recap & Tips for 2020

An Annual Experience Like No Other, 8 Things You Should Know About Curlfest! 

 

I’ve attended Curlfest three times and each time was a unique experience. Most summer events in New York are all lively experiences, but CurlFest is in a lane all it’s own. 

The founding company Curly Girl Collective started the first fest in 2014. Every year it grows bigger and better because there isn’t an experience this massive for women of color to “literally” let their hair down. A sea of beautiful melanin, music, food, fun, fashion, prizes and above all else a vast array of hairstyles, textures, shapes, lengths, colors, curls, coils, you could ever imagine in one place. It’s definitely something to experience at least once! So enjoy these tidbits below to better prepared for 2020. 

#1

If you’re inpatient, the morning lines for entry will test all your nerves. Here’s a breakdown of getting inside before 1:00 pm. The event doesn’t start until 12:00 pm which means no one can get in until that exact time. Now if 200+ people arrive at the same exact time a line will form; now multiply that if those same people start at 9:00 am and the next hour and the next and so on. That line will likely wrap around a football field. Now scratch everything above and think about 1,000 people who live 10 minutes away from the event; they have a ridiculous head start. Now consider the above when you get inside to get food, products, picture ops, meet & greets etc..If you have very little to no patience, this experience may not be ideal for you. 

#2

If you don’t like or can’t deal with the summer sun and heat combo, this definitely won’t be your scene. It’s possible you could find a tree to get some shade, or come a little later in the day, maybe two hours before CurlFest ends, the heat almost always breaks giving folks some small relief. 

#3 

If big crowds scare, intimidate, or give you anxiety this fest may not be for you. However, the organizers did move the event to Randall’s Island this year which was spacious enough for the fest’s growth. Having the event on Randall’s Island allowed the main stage, vendors, food trunks and brands to have ample space to spread out. 

#4

If you aren’t camera shy CurlFest can be the perfect place to get you and your brand seen and photographed! It’s one of the many highlights of the festival, networking and being photographed by 40+ photographers (depending on your look) You could end up in the newspaper, Vogue or even Essence Magazine! 

#5

Pack a snack and water, because the lines to eat are pretty long. You won’t be able to enjoy yourself while starving, it’s not an ideal scenario. If you do bring food and drinks, you have to make certain it’s in plastic, not glass. 

#6

Travel as light as possible. The reason being bag check holds up the line, plus you’re going to want to do some shopping from the many(some 20+) minority-owned businesses that make up CurlFest’s market, which provides a variety of unique artisans, designers and more. I highly recommend having cash over a card, it makes the process/line run much faster & smoother. Lastly, the number of free goodies you’re likely to accumulate will quickly weigh any bag down. 

#7

Some options/items to bring: 

Water (To stay hydrated) 

Tissue (For all the sweating from dancing) 

Blanket/mat or lawn chair (Because there aren’t any seats) 

Sunglasses (To shield your eyes from the sun) 

An umbrella (To block the sun or possible rain) 

Flat sandals or sneakers (a lot of standing and walking and more standing will take place, plus it’s a park so think grass and dirt. 

A Camera (To capture you, your crew, and a possible celeb or two).

Last but not least 

 

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#8 

What To Expect: 

Beautiful Black Women of every melanin hue, shape, size, with all hair textures and styles, bold, bald, beauties and permed queens come to slay. Curl Fest is a huge hub for any woman of color to be and do them unapologetically. 

-It’s a celebration. Good vibes only and for all six years of CurlFest’s history, there has never been an unfriendly incident, fight, stampede, or negative aggressiveness. 

-Selfie worthy opportunities “All Over”. Besides the summer sun shining bright all the big hair/skin companies/sponsors provide ample opportunities for you and your curl friends to pose for free pics. Get those shots & share them online! 

-Bad reception..it’s likely your phone may not work (at all). Trying to post updates to your social media or add new friends, won’t be a walk in the park. Instead, enjoy the moments as they happen, but still, document and save for later. Also, save those new contacts & connects in your notes or maybe on paper! You’ll be happy you did. 

-If you purchase a general admission ticket the line to get in will be extremely long. Now if you purchase a VIP ticket you’ll get in much faster & have the option to hang with other VIP guests, lounge in the cute picturesque area designed to look like a makeshift club. 

 -Extras: ATM’s are available and there is an abundance of porter potties all over.