THE NIGHT BEFORE HARVEST FEST: CHARGE YOUR CAMERAS, CLEAR YOUR STORAGE & GET READY FOR LIFT-OFF!

The countdown is on, the excitement is building, and OG Strain has a checklist longer than the line at a popular vendor booth. Here’s how we’re getting ready for the 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup!

There’s a certain kind of excitement that hits when you know something special is right around the corner. You’re looking forward to seeing your friends, meeting new people, checking out incredible vendors, discovering new products, and spending an entire day surrounded by people who share your interests. You can practically picture it already: the music playing, the conversations flowing, the smell of the autumn air, familiar faces popping up everywhere, and that first moment when you walk through the gates and realize, We’re finally here!

But before we get to that moment, there’s one small obstacle standing between us and festival happiness.

Preparation.

And if you’ve ever gotten ready for a big event, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Your mind suddenly becomes a 24-hour operations center. Did I pack everything? Did I charge everything? Where are my keys? Is my outfit clean? Did I remember my wallet? And why, after checking the same bag four times, am I still convinced I’ve forgotten something?

Welcome to the final countdown!

On Saturday, October 24, the 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup returns to Griffin House in Palenville, New York. Vendors, organizers, workers, creators, friends, and attendees are getting ready for a day dedicated to cannabis culture, community, and celebrating the harvest.

Everybody has a role to play, and everybody has something to prepare.

Some people have been planning for weeks. Others have been putting in work behind the scenes for days. And some of us are staring at a pile of equipment wondering how one person managed to accumulate so many chargers for so many different things.

I’m looking at you, camera bag.

EVERYBODY’S GETTING READY — AND NOBODY WANTS TO FORGET SOMETHING!

Think about the vendors for a minute. They’re not just waking up Saturday morning, grabbing a folding table, tossing a few products in the back seat, and hoping the cannabis gods take care of the rest.

These folks have inventory to organize, displays to prepare, booths to set up, products to transport, and customers to welcome. Some will arrive hours before the gates open, getting everything into position while the rest of us are probably still trying to decide whether we need another cup of coffee.

And before the vendors arrive, there’s a whole team of people making sure the event itself is ready. Stages, decorations, equipment, logistics, and countless other details need attention. A successful festival doesn’t magically appear because somebody said, “Let’s have a Harvest Fest!”

Well, wouldn’t that be convenient?

There’s real work behind an event like this, and everybody who contributes deserves appreciation.

But preparation isn’t just for the people working the event. Attendees have their own lists, too. Some are coordinating rides and meeting places. Others are planning their budgets, checking the weather, deciding what to wear, and figuring out how much they can fit into one day without needing a second calendar.

And then there’s me.

I’m not running a vendor booth. I’m not hosting the festival. I’m a regular guy attending Harvest Fest, just like plenty of you. But this year, I’ve got an extra mission: covering the event for Strain’s Strain Reviews (Talk Cannabis) on YouTube and The Plug’s Pages Magazine.

Which means my preparation list has developed a personality of its own!

OG STRAIN’S CAMERA BAG: WHERE GOOD TIMES MEET TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

I’m going to be walking around, talking with vendors, asking questions, recording interviews, capturing the atmosphere, and bringing you along for the experience.

That means my cameras need to be ready, my batteries need to be charged, my accessories need to be packed, and my equipment needs to be organized before I leave home.

And then it hit me: charging the camera isn’t enough. I’ve got to make sure there’s actually room to record something!

Let me explain.

Imagine I’m standing at a vendor’s booth. The camera is rolling. The vendor is telling me an incredible story about how their business got started. We’re having a great conversation, they’re answering questions, the footage is looking fantastic, and I’m thinking, This is exactly why I came here!

Then suddenly, my device flashes the two words every content creator dreads:

STORAGE FULL.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Now the interview has to stop. The vendor is waiting. The camera isn’t recording. And I’m standing there trying to decide which old videos I can delete without accidentally erasing something important.

Meanwhile, the perfect moment has packed its bags and left the building!

Nope. Not happening on my watch.

Clearing storage on my recording devices is officially part of my pre-festival checklist. I’m making room in advance so I can concentrate on capturing the event instead of conducting emergency digital surgery in the middle of an interview.

Because nothing says professional production quite like asking a vendor to hold that interesting story while you delete 47 videos of your own feet!

I’m also making sure my devices are charged, my chargers are packed, and everything I need is ready to go. I’ll be bringing my son along to help operate the camera, too, so we’ve got our own father-and-son production team in action.

I’ve been thinking about whether he’s had enough practice with the camera and whether we’ve got everything organized properly. I want to capture the people, the products, the conversations, the laughter, and all those little moments that make a festival memorable.

Hopefully, we come home with fantastic footage, some great interviews, and a collection of memories that makes people wish they’d been right there with us.

That’s the mission.

And step one is making sure the camera doesn’t decide it’s finished working before the festival is finished happening!

THE PERSONAL CHECKLIST: GAS, CASH, CLEAN CLOTHES & A LITTLE COMMON SENSE

Of course, camera equipment isn’t the only thing I need to worry about.

I’ve got to make sure my clothes are clean, my outfit is ready, my car has gas, my wallet is in my pocket, and my keys are where they’re supposed to be.

You know, the basic things that somehow become complicated when you’re excited about something.

It’s funny how your brain works before a big event. You can remember the name of a vendor you met six months ago, the product somebody told you about last spring, and the exact conversation you had with a friend at the last festival.

But remembering where you put your wallet?

Suddenly, you’re a detective investigating your own house.

And don’t even get me started on the final bag check. You check everything, zip the bag, walk away, stop, turn around, unzip it, and check everything again.

Why?

Because apparently the items inside might have escaped during the three seconds you weren’t looking!

Seriously, though, a little preparation can save a lot of frustration. Check your essentials, make sure your phone is charged, plan your transportation, dress for the weather, and give yourself enough time to get where you’re going.

If you’re meeting friends, coordinate ahead of time. If you’re bringing equipment, check it before you leave. If you have a long drive, make sure you’re ready for it.

And if you’re planning to purchase something at the festival, set yourself a budget so you can enjoy exploring without worrying about your spending later.

The idea is simple: take care of the little things beforehand so the big things can take center stage.

YES, OG STRAIN HAS A CANNABIS CHECKLIST, TOO!

Now, come on. You knew we weren’t getting through this article without talking about cannabis!

For me, part of getting ready means organizing my personal supplies and making sure my equipment is ready. I like having my pre-rolls prepared in advance, and I want my e-rig fully charged, with the necessary charger and accessories packed.

Personally, I like having around ten to twelve joints rolled and ready to go. I know myself. If I decide I want to enjoy one, I’d rather reach into my bag and grab a pre-roll than stop everything, find somewhere to sit, get out my papers and supplies, and start rolling while everybody else is exploring the festival.

That’s my preference. Your mileage may vary!

Some people enjoy rolling their own throughout the day. Others prefer to bring their favorite accessories. Some like traveling light and checking out what’s available from the vendors. Everybody has their own routine, comfort level, and way of preparing.

There’s no competition for who can pack the most stuff. This isn’t the Cannabis Olympics, and nobody’s handing out medals for the heaviest backpack!

The point is to think ahead about what you’ll need and what will make your day more enjoyable.

Remember to follow event rules and applicable laws, consume responsibly, and plan safe transportation in advance. Never drive impaired, and don’t assume every product or accessory is permitted everywhere at the event.

We’re going there to have a good time, enjoy the community, and make memories. Let’s keep it that way.

THE GOAL ISN’T THE STRONGEST HIGH. IT’S THE QUALITY OF THE EXPERIENCE!

Here’s something I think gets overlooked sometimes: the best festival experience isn’t necessarily about finding the strongest product or chasing the most intense buzz.

For me, it’s about the quality of the experience as a whole.

It’s the anticipation on the drive over. It’s spotting your friends in the crowd. It’s hearing music in the distance while you make your way toward the action. It’s discovering a vendor you’ve never met before and finding out they have an incredible story to tell.

It’s the laughter that catches you off guard, the conversations that last longer than expected, the unexpected introductions, and the feeling that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

And for those who choose to enjoy cannabis, it’s about making responsible choices and appreciating the experience without feeling like everything has to be a contest.

The goal isn’t to chase the strongest high you’ve ever felt. It’s to enjoy the best-quality buzz and the best overall experience you can have.

There’s a difference between chasing intensity and appreciating quality. Sometimes the best moments aren’t the ones that hit you the hardest. They’re the ones that leave you smiling long after they’ve passed.

That’s the kind of feeling I’m looking forward to: good company, great conversations, a welcoming atmosphere, and a community coming together to celebrate.

Think about that for a second.

Picture yourself arriving, taking in the scene, hearing the music, spotting somebody you haven’t seen in months, and walking over to say hello. You start talking, somebody introduces you to somebody else, and suddenly you’re laughing with people you might never have met if you hadn’t shown up.

You wander over to a booth and discover something new. You stop to watch what’s happening near the stage. You run into another friend on your way somewhere else. Before you know it, the day is flying by, and you’re wondering how so much fun managed to fit into so few hours.

That’s the kind of euphoria that comes from anticipation turning into a genuinely good experience.

No checklist can guarantee a perfect day, but being prepared gives you more room to enjoy the moments that make it special.

And that’s what I’m after.

THE REAL REASON I’M SO EXCITED? THE PEOPLE!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m looking forward to seeing what the vendors bring, checking out the products, filming interviews, and capturing content for my channel and the magazine.

But the thing I’m probably most excited about is seeing everybody.

There are so many people I know who are planning to attend, and I can’t wait to catch up with them. Friends from the cannabis community, familiar faces from previous events, people I’ve connected with online, and folks I’ve been meaning to see in person again.

Social media is great for keeping in touch, but there’s something different about actually being in the same place.

You get to shake hands, give hugs where welcome, share a laugh, hear what’s been happening in everybody’s lives, and enjoy the kind of conversations that are hard to replicate through a screen.

And that’s one of the things I appreciate about this community. Beyond the products and businesses, there are real people with stories, ambitions, personalities, and friendships that continue to grow.

Some of my favorite moments at events happen when I’m not even looking for them. A random conversation turns into a great connection. Somebody says something hilarious. You bump into a friend you weren’t expecting to see. An ordinary moment becomes one you’ll remember for years.

Those are the moments you can’t schedule.

You can prepare your equipment, charge your batteries, clear your storage, and organize your bag. But you can’t plan every laugh, every surprise, or every conversation that makes the day worthwhile.

You just have to show up ready to experience it.

And believe me, I’m ready!

YOUR FINAL HARVEST FEST CHECKLIST: DON’T LET YOURSELF BE THE PLOT TWIST!

Before Saturday arrives, here’s your friendly reminder from OG Strain to take a few minutes and get yourself organized.

The night-before checklist:

Check your phone, camera, and other device batteries.
Clear enough storage for the photos and videos you plan to capture.
Pack your chargers, cables, and any necessary accessories.
Get your clothes ready and check the weather forecast.
Make sure you have your wallet, identification, keys, and other essentials.
Check your gas and plan your route and transportation.
Coordinate with friends if you’re meeting up.
Set a budget if you’re planning to shop.
Pack any permitted personal supplies you’ll need.
Get some rest so you can enjoy the day.

And here’s my personal favorite: once you’ve finished your checklist, actually look at it!

There’s no point making a list if you’re going to ignore it and rely on your memory. My memory is excellent when it comes to cannabis events and terrible when it comes to remembering why I walked into a room.

Maybe that’s just me.

If you’re traveling, give yourself plenty of time, follow event guidance, and remember that weather, crowds, and schedules can change. A little flexibility goes a long way.

Most importantly, don’t let the preparation become more stressful than it needs to be. We’re getting ready to enjoy ourselves, not preparing for a mission to Mars!

SATURDAY, WE CELEBRATE THE HARVEST!

After all the planning, charging, packing, checking, double-checking, and last-minute scrambling, Saturday will finally arrive.

The vendors will be ready. The organizers will have put in the work. Friends will be arriving from different directions. Music will fill the air, conversations will start flowing, and people will begin exploring everything the festival has to offer.

And somewhere in the middle of it all, OG Strain will be walking around with a camera, asking questions, meeting people, and trying to capture as much of the experience as possible.

My son and I will be doing our best to bring you along for the ride. The cameras will be ready, the storage will be cleared, and hopefully the only thing running out will be the time before I get to see everybody!

I’m genuinely looking forward to this. I’m ready for some fun. I’m ready to reconnect with friends, meet new people, see what the vendors have been working on, and enjoy a day surrounded by people who share a passion for this community.

Thirty years of Harvest Fest is something worth celebrating. And whether you’re attending as a vendor, an organizer, a creator, or simply somebody who wants to enjoy the day, you’re part of the gathering that makes this event what it is.

So get your things together. Charge those batteries. Clear that storage. Find those keys. Check that wallet. And if you catch yourself checking the same bag for the fifth time, don’t worry. You’re among friends!

Let’s show up ready to enjoy ourselves, support the community, discover something new, and make this a Harvest Fest we’ll be talking about long after Saturday is over.

Because the real magic isn’t just in what we bring with us. It’s in what we experience together.

This isn’t just another Saturday. It’s a celebration of the harvest, the community, the culture, and the people who make it all worthwhile.

I’ll see you all Saturday at the 30th Annual NY Harvest Fest Cannabis Cup at Griffin House in Palenville, New York!

Until then, get prepared, get excited, and don’t forget to clear that storage!

OG Strain out. See you at Harvest Fest!