Lightning in a Bottle (LIB) is an enchanting festival for all ages. Parents are encouraged to bring their kiddos to experience the magic with lots of family-friendly activities in the Kids Zone and Teen Scene, plus a designated family camp within the campgrounds. Family camping allows parents and kids alike to connect with others in a quiet and safe space, while helping them form a strong community and friendships that last well beyond the festival. 

When the little nuggets aren’t floating over the crowd on their parent’s shoulder or spraying attendees with the water hose at the Woogie, you can find them in the Kids Zone. Here, the little artists get many opportunities to paint and create – early training for a future creating LIB art installations, perhaps? After exploring their artistic sides, the kiddos can witness the medicinal magic of Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show, or take part in the adorable Pots & Pans Parade (yes, it's exactly what it sounds like) led by Sidle Entertainment Drumline and joined by several other performance artists. Not to mention, they even get their own DJ spinning beats, and an organized sleepover under the large canopy.

With so many different things to see and touch, we can only imagine how children feel at this adult playground. We sat down with some of them to see what they thought of the wonderful world of Lightning in a Bottle 2018.

Luka, 4

Everfest: What do you like best about Lightning in a Bottle?
Luka: Painting.
Everfest: How many times have you been?
Luka: 4 times.
Everfest: If you could make one piece of big art, what would it be?
Luka: A rainbow, I’m making one right now.
Everfest: What was your favorite thing you’ve done here?
Luka: Go on the big swing over there. *Points at white swing hanging from tree in the Kidsville.*
Everfest: Do you like anything outside of Kidsville?
Luka: The Hideout.

Lana, 3

Everfest: What do you like best about Lightning in a Bottle?
Lana: Paint!
Everfest: If you could make one piece of big art, what would it be?
Lana: A big pink heart like the one I’m painting!
Everfest: What is your favorite thing to do here?
Lana: Dance!
Everfest: What is your favorite thing to eat at the festival?
Lana: Avocado.
Lana's Dad: What did you think of Dr Solar’s Magical Medicine Show?
Lana: He’s not that cool, he’s a mean vampire.

Camila, 6 (left) and Marina, 9 (right)

Everfest: What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen here?
Camila: The big giant unicorn floatie.
Marina: The roller rink. It was so fun and there were a lot of people there.
Everfest: If you could make one piece of big art, what would it be?
Camila: I would make a Ferris Wheel with colorful lights and put stuff on the bottom that will make it stand really high.
Marina: A big sign that says Lightning in a Bottle and it would glow in the dark and on the outside, I would tie dye it. I would put it at the entrance as a welcome.
Camila: I would put my Ferris Wheel on top of the Lightning in a Bottle sign so everyone will see it.
Everfest: Have you learned anything new this year?
Marina: That a lot has changed since last year.
Camila: The family camp was somewhere different!
Everfest: What’s the best thing you like to do here?
Marina: The lake.
Camila: The roller rink because I didn’t say the roller rink in the other question. My sister did.
Everfest: How many times have you been here?
Marina: What we remember is twice, but maybe before that. Our mom is a speaker here.
Camila: Maybe when we were babies, maybe, but we don’t know cause we were tiny.
Everfest: Have you been to other festivals? 
Camila: Yes, my after school program one.
Marina: There’s an art festival in our town that is really fun.
Everfest: Is this your favorite festival?
Marina: One of our favorites.
Everfest: Would you come back?
Marina: Yeah.
Camila: Yes!
Everfest: How do you like the music?
Camila: I like it but it’s too loud and you can’t hear when people are talking. I kind of like it.
Marina: It’s hard to sleep.
Everfest: Have you had any good food here or what’s your favorite food?
Camila: Breakfast burritos, I love eggs! They’re so good! I had them this morning.
Marina: My favorite is the mixed berry pie we have at our camp.
Everfest: Have you bought any food inside the festival?
Camila: Popcorn and dumplings.
Everfest: What is the worst part?
Camila: It’s flaming hot, it’s like fire!
Marina: It’s really hot but that’s good because you can go in the lake.

Cerise, 4

Everfest: What do you love about Lightning in a Bottle?
Mom: She can’t stop saying “How about that Lightning in a Bottle Festival.” It’s her catchphrase.

Florence, 4 

Everfest: What do you like best about Lightning in a Bottle?  
Florence: I like the Kids Village and painting and playing with play doh and slime, that’s it.

Zazie, 10

Everfest: Do you like Lightning in a Bottle?
Zazie: I really like it. It’s pretty fun.
Everfest: Is this your first time?
Zazie: Yeah, it’s my first time here. I’ve been to Symbiosis and Rain Dance.
Everfest: How did you like Symbiosis compared to this?
Zazie: There was a lot more kid's things but this is fun too!
Everfest: What is your favorite thing at LIB?
Zazie: My favorite part of the place is here, Kidsville. I like the swing. I saw some art, but I haven’t seen that much since we just set up camp.
Everfest: If you could make one piece of big art, what would it be?
Zazie: I would make something more nature-y for art. I would put a lot of nature work by the water like trees and stuff. I would put it where it is empty and quiet, so it is a place to relax and get away from the loudness.
Everfest: What are you looking forward to?
Zazie: I’m most excited for the sleepover. All the kids get to sleep under the big tent in Kidsville and we get to play.