Oxford’s biggest springtime event is here, and we’ve provided all you need to know to not only survive, but thrive at Double Decker Arts Festival 2018.

• Sunscreen is, without a doubt, the most important item to bring to Double Decker. Chances are, the weather’s going to be warm and sunny, and chances are you’ll be outside most of the day enjoying it. Applying SPF 25 or higher will reduce your risk for skin cancer, or at the very least, a nasty sunburn. Don’t forget to put a little on your scalp where your hair parts, and on top of your ears.
• If you participate in the Double Decker 5k run, consider stopping for a bite of breakfast at the Beacon on North Lamar. A diner breakfast (and plenty of water) is just what you need to replenish before a day of festival fun.
• Visit the ATM the day before, because the currency for Double Decker is cold hard cash. Many vendors have Square card readers, so it’s not a complete necessity, but carrying paper money instead of a credit card will help you keep track of your spending and – hopefully – away from the long ATM lines around the Square.
• For those attending Friday night’s kickoff, be sure to bring a lawn chair. Thacker Mountain Radio Hour is one of those shows you’ll want to sit back and relax for, so coming with seats in-hand will save your feet and your back.
• When it comes to parking, it’s advisable to do a little planning. Oxford’s a small town, which makes walking easy, but since Double Decker and LSU baseball weekend collide, don’t expect to find front-row parking late in the day. Check out the City of Oxford website for a map of free parking lots, or if you’re up for it, park on the Ole Miss campus and walk from there – you can always take one of Oxford’s many taxi services back to your car if your feet are too tired to walk back at the end of the day. There will also be shuttle busses running back and forth from Oxford High School.
• Wear fun clothes and comfortable shoes. Double Decker is one weekend a year when the Square looks like a springtime kaleidoscope, and it’s only right to join in on the fun. Dress light and make sure you’re wearing sneakers or something else you won’t mind walking in all day. The walking is inevitable. Being in pain while wearing cute shoes is optional.
• If you get too hot, grab a drink or a quick bite at one of the Square’s many restaurants, or if the wait is too long, venture off-Square a little bit to the restaurants on North Lamar Boulevard or down University Avenue. The food trucks parked around the Square are amazing, but the heat and the long lines are too much for some people. If you absolutely have to buy that funnel cake, go ahead. But remember, it’s worth paying a little extra for a cold drink and colder air-conditioning.
• Both residents and visitors alike can find joy in taking one of the Double Decker bus tours, which traditionally leave from the sidewalk by Rooster’s Blues House, travel to some of Oxford’s best spots, and cycle through all day. Sit up top for a unique view and a cool breeze.
• Check out all that Double Decker’s art vendors have to offer, but don’t forget about the many brick-and-mortar stores lining the festival. Often, you’ll be able to find a plethora of great deals that are exclusive for the weekend.
• Swag = Stuff We All Get. There’s no need to trade an organ for a bottle of water or a koozie, because many businesses hand them out at their booths. It’s a great way to save yourself a little cash and stay hydrated.