Since its birth in 2012, tens of thousands of people swarm to Dover, Delaware on one June weekend to experience four days of music, freedom, and of course, unique and tasty morsels. The 2018 Firefly Music Festival returns, boasting headliners such as Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monkeys, Alt-J, and the Killers, as well as, 60+ food vendors bringing you their personal takes on classic American finger food, multicultural cuisine, and vegan and vegetarian options.
With many opportunities to grub and an abundance of well-known artists performing, I compile this list, the complete meal plan to your day of Firefly festivities, for you to optimize your time cheering near the stage or forgetting to apply sunscreen. From my past experience attending Firefly Music Festival and current updates to Firefly’s food lineup, I bring you the most delicious and fulfilling meals to both your soul and your stomach.
#SpoonTip: See ingredient alternatives and diet-conscious meals marked below with (gf) gluten-free, (vt) vegetarian, and (vg) vegan.
Breakfast (or don’t-call-me-breakfast-options)
Fiesta Breakfast Burrito [meatless accommodations may qualify as vt]
Supplied by Crescent Foods Catering’s Breakfast and Burgers in the Campground, the Fiesta Breakfast Burrito features fresh sausage, black beans, bacon, eggs, cheese, salsa, and potatoes, just to name a few. Whether you start your day with or without the meats, this stuffed roll of protein and vegetables will keep you at a full tank well into the morning, in addition to satisfying two groups on the food pyramid before 10 am.
Berlinger Doughnut [vt, vg] + Paleo Scramble [gf, vt]
Fresh and hot from The Loving Cup, a mobile coffee company, treat yourself to a succulent Berlinger, which means “jelly doughnut” in German. There is no need to feel guilty about starting your day off with pure sugar, though, because The Loving Cup menu for the 2018 Firefly Music Festival also features a Paleo Scramble, rich with fluffed eggs and veggies.
Hydration (It’s not just water!)
Anything from John’s Juice [gf, vt, vg]
Hailing from New York City, John’s Juice is a company which advertises and operates under the motto, all juice and no cups. Forget plastics and minimize waste while enjoying a freshly squeezed juice in its original fruit. Boasting juice and fruit from dragonfruit, pineapple, watermelon, and coconut, this vendor is sure to be a fan favorite for your tongue and your Instagram pictures.
#SpoonTip: Pick up cold lemonade at a majority of vendors. Also remember to take advantage of the water filling stations at 2018 Firefly Music Festival. In the heat and crowds, dehydration is your enemy.
Snacks (Anytime you’re looking for a bite! These options can also function as dinner.)
Mom’s Spaghetti [meatless accommodations may qualify as vt, vg]
Need I say more? A pop-up named Mom’s Spaghetti after Eminem’s iconic song Lose Yourself, is not only a station offering hearty carbs, the promise of high energy, and childhood nostalgia, but belongs to the rapper himself! That is right, if you missed Coachella and failed to get your own Chinese takeout box of pasta, Eminem brings your second chance to 2018 Firefly Music Festival. You can get your spaghetti topped with meatballs, or get a meatball and garlic bread sandwich instead if you prefer a hands-on approach.
Baller Nachos [gf, vt]
Contrary to this company’s name, Fat Bean Food Farm and Co., their acclaimed Baller Nachos will not weight down your stomach. Feast your eyes upon a mountain of chips with cheese, black beans or grass-fed beef, jalapeños, olives, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole, fit for dinner or the ultimate snack. Drop by their stand, Fat Bean Taco, for all your finger food (chips are gluten free!) needs!
Dessert
Chocolate with Salted Caramel Brownies [vt, Lil Pop Shop also offers vg/gf treats]
There is little mess but a whole lot of flavor in Lil Pop Shop’s Chocolate with Salted Caramel Brownies ice cream pop. I will definitely be hitting up this stand for ice cream, because it is mess free and easy to eat (instead of the ice cream I got last year which fell on the ground). At the 2018 Firefly Music Festival, the Chocolate with Salted Caramel Brownies pop features a dark chocolate ice cream with chunks of salted caramel brownies.
Fried Cookie DŌ [vt, gf/vg accommodations may be available]
Straight out of Brooklyn, New York City’s famous raw cookie dough shop (don’t worry, it won’t make you sick) Cookie DŌ brings another trendy food item to 2018 Firefly Music Festival. Not quite a cookie but not quite raw dough, this concoction is a must try for the festival, because it is something unlike anything you had before. It isn’t the healthiest, but it has protein, right?
This 2018 Firefly Music Festival, you will no longer flounder about in search of the most fulfilling and delicious food vendors. Armed with this guide, you set out to conquer the festival and your hunger. Catch me expertly navigating the food lines and grabbing a great viewing location for those headliners. See you at the Woodlands!