Guide To Firefly Music Festival
Ever since it first started in 2012, Firefly Music Festival has proved itself to be one of the best music festivals on the East Coast. With a ton of popular bands in music today performing, numerous food options to keep you satisfied and plenty of relaxing and cooling attractions, Firefly is sure to be a fun and memorable time. Here is your guide to the festival.
Firefly Music Festival 2014
The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway
1131 Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(312) 262-6010
www.fireflyfestival.com
Date: June 19-22, 2014
What is Firefly?
Firefly is a four-day music festival featuring more than 100 bands across seven stages. Nearly 65,000 people attend and many of those attendees camp out for the weekend.
Where is Firefly?
The festival is located in Dover, Delaware on 154 acres of festival grounds at the Woodlands of Dover International Speedway. Dover International Speedway is approximately an hour-and-20-minute drive from Philadelphia. The festival's website offers advice on getting to Dover.
Where to Stay
The majority of festival goers will be tent camping, RV camping or "glamping," where you're provided with an air-conditioned tent, cots and more. Discounts on nearby hotels are found and booked through T3 travel. Free parking is available for those planning on leaving at night. Check the website for more information on camping.
The Music
Firefly features headliners Foo Fighters, Outkast and Jack Johnson. The festival includes many different music genres from rock (Arctic Monkeys, Weezer) to folk (Beck, the Lumineers) to DJs (Girl Talk) and rap (Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper). Additional acts include Imagine Dragons, Young the Giant, Cage the Elephant, Big Gigantic, Tegan and Sara and Ziggy Marley.
For the complete lineup of more than 100 well-known and up-and-coming bands, visit the website.
Philly Bands
Many Philly bands are making their way to Firefly this year. The biggest name from Philly is the alternative rock and Nashville-influenced Amos Lee. The list also includes the pop band Cruiser and the Red Bull Sound Select Artists from Philly playing on two campground stages include rockers Nothing, EDM singer/songwriter Mike Taylor, alternative band Weekender, rock trio the Downtown Club, indie-pop band DRGN KING and multi-instrumentalist Khari Mateen.
Food and Beverages
The food vendors here offer the standard American festival fare of burgers, fries, wraps, hot dogs and cheesesteaks, but you can also dine on international food like the Korean BBQ tacos from the Lemon Grass East Asian Bistro. And Firefly offers healthy, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options - the strawberry salad from the Fresh Co. booth or the kale and quinoa salad, for example. Firefly partners with Delaware's Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and you'll be able to enjoy cold cocktails, margaritas and beers from one of its many bars.
Related: Ask A Philadelphia Guide: Packing List For Your Next Campout
Amenities
Firefly offers many amenities in the campgrounds and across the festival grounds. You'll be able to find showers ($5 per shower), cell phone charging stations, morning yoga, water stations (bring a reusable water bottle!), ATMs (the festival is cash only), a farmers market and a general store.
Attractions/Activities
Firefly offers many appealing attractions and relaxation areas when you need to take a break from the music. You are sure to find something to do, whether it's playing one of the free old-school arcade games, decorating your own pair of Toms shoes or dancing at the Silent Disco. Other attractions include the Hammock Hangout and forest cinema, a hair salon, art vendors and shopping.
Dover
Dover is within walking distance of the festival grounds and features shopping, restaurants and historical attractions. Since Delaware is a tax-free state, doing some shopping while you're here isn't a bad idea. The Dover Mall is nearby the Dover International Speedway and has more than 85 stores, including Old Navy and Macy's. The festival is also close to the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, which has more than 2,500 slots and table games and 500 upscale rooms to crash in after a long day of dancing. When it comes to eating and drinking, try the Cool Springs Fish Bar and Restaurant for excellent seafood or take a tour of the Fordham and Dominion Brewing Co.
Tickets
A general four-day pass costs $299, a four-day VIP pass costs $699 and a Super VIP four-day pass is $1999. Click here for more information. Single-day passes are also available.
Detours
Due to the closure of the I-495 bridge, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) recommends the following routes to get to Firefly:
From Pennsylvania using I-95 because of the emergency closure of I495 DelDOT recommends timing your trip to avoid the morning (7:00-9:00AM) and evening (4:00 to 7:00PM) peak travel times. Also consider the following alternate routes to avoid the I-495 closure area:
North and West of Philadelphia: Consider using I-76 to the Walt Whitman Bridge, continue on i-76 to I-295 or the New Jersey Turnpike south to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, continue on I-295 to I-95 southbound to DE1 south to Dover.
New Jersey and North: Use I-295 or the New Jersey Turnpike southbound to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, continue on I295 in Delaware to I95 south to DE1 south to Dover.
Routes to Firefly 2014:
From the North:
Campers and RVs: DE1 southbound to Exit 104 Dover to a left turn at US13 southbound to a left turn at Leipsic Rd (DE88) to the Check-in point (Lot 1).
Daily Festival (Day trippers): DE1 southbound to Exit 104 Dover to a left turn at US13 southbound to a left turn at Dover International Speedway (Dover Downs) main entrance.
NOTE: Should delays become excessive for southbound US13 traffic DelDOT may elect to close Exit 104 southbound ramp and direct vehicles south to Exit 95 to come north on US13.
From the South:
Campers and RVs: DE1 north to Exit 95 DE10, to Bay Road, to US13 north, to a right turn at Jefferic Blvd to Check-in point (Lot1).
Daily Festival (Day trippers): DE1 north to Exit 95 Dover, to Bay Road, to US13 north, to a right turn at Dover International Speedway Main Entrance.
From the West:
Campers and RVs: DE8 eastbound to left turn to US13 North, to a right turn at Jefferic Blvd to Check-in point (Lot1).
Daily Festival (Day trippers): DE8 eastbound to left turn to US13 North, to a right turn at Dover International Speedway Main Entrance.
Real Time Traffic and Parking Information:
Real time traffic conditions and travel times will be available on WTMC 1380 AM, web at www.map.deldot.gov, and on the DelDOT Smartphone App, free for download at Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Kelly Neilson is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
