As summer remains fresh in our minds, we remember the amazing things we did over our three month summer break like it was yesterday. Reginites spend the summer with trips to the beach,  enjoying fun-filled vacations, and most importantly, attending summer concerts.

The most popular summer concerts for Regina girls this year included Chicago’s famous Lollapalooza and Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. These are two completely different music festivals that thousands of people go to each year and Regina girls because of location proximity are lucky enough to enjoy.

If you still haven’t had a chance to attend either of these concerts or if you are already planning on going to at least one next year, here are a few questions to ask yourself:  Do I listen to more country or alternative music? Do I like big or small crowds? These questions matter when you beg your parents to buy tickets for you for next year, but might be able to attend one of the festivals.

Lollapalooza takes place in our back yard:  Grant Park in downtown Chicago, a quick train ride away for almost every Regina girl. However, Country Thunder is held in Twin Lakes, WI, 53 miles away from Wilmette, which is more than an hour away by car. Based on distance, Lollapalooza would obviously be the easy choice, but if you don’t mind paying extra money for a hotel, then keep Country Thunder on your list.

After all, the music is the reason you purchase concert tickets. If you listen to more alternative or rock music, Lollapalooza is your choice. This year they featured headliners such as Eminem, Arctic Monkeys, Outkast, and Kings of Leon. At Country Thunder, all the music you are going to listen to is-you guessed it- country. This year the featured artists included Gary Allan, Miranda Lambert, Brantley Gilbert, and Jason Aldean. The two very different genres will probably be the deciding factor in which concert you pick.

If you’re the type of person that doesn’t do well in large crowds, cross Lollapalooza off your list. This year the event was host to more than 300,000 people. The Country Thunder population is only 30,000 people, not as much to Lollapalooza, but still a large number.  Lollapalooza  is much larger than Country Thunder. It features eight stages, the two farthest being three miles away from each other. Country Thunder has only one stage for concert goers.

Whether you’re going to save up your babysitting money or beg your parents to buy tickets for you for your birthday, money will be a factor. Lollapalooza three day passes that cost a whopping $300, if you are even able to buy them as soon as they go on sale.  Country Thunder, however, offer four day passes costing t $120 when they go on sale in early August and are usually available until the end of December. The cost difference is a significant $180 with Country Thunder, also,being one extra day. Which one is going to give you more bank for your buck? I would say Country Thunder. If you’re going strictly for the experience; then it is a close toss-up.

Maybe you don’t feel like spending more money on new outfits for these concerts, so evaluate your closets for which concert to choose. Country Thunder outfits for girls consist of cowboy boots and hats (which, okay, you probably will have to buy unless your Halloween costume last year was a cowgirl), crop tops and jean shorts. Oh yeah, and flannel. Lots and lots of flannel. Lollapalooza outfits consist more of a  “hipster” look, such as flower headbands, fanny packs, high-waisted shorts and, yes, more crop tops, but also fun summer dresses and floppy sun hats. Before you choose your concert, make sure to check out your closet first.

Who are you going to be around at these concerts? What type of people are you going to experience this amazing memory with? At Country Thunder, everyone is so happy and kind. People turn on their Southern charm, even if they are not from the south. I saw strangers catching others when they fell trying to walk in their cowboy boots.

At Lollapalooza, however, it’s not that everyone is not nice, but they tend to fend for themselves. In the midst of all the people, people shove you out of the way to make sure they’re on time for their favorite artist. Also, in the massive crowds, people are pushed so close together, no one is really happy because the only way of dancing is bobbing your head up and down.

Also, when you walk around  Country Thunder, it’s easy to bump into  people you know and it’s always fun to be somewhere else with familiar faces. Even at the concert, all the teenagers stay in the middle of the crowd and you are still able to see your friends.

The worst thing about Country Thunder is cell phone reception, due to its cornfield locations, so if you do lose someone it is best to have a meet-up spot  (my friends chose the mechanical bull as our meet-up). At Lollapalooza, finding someone you know is next to impossible and the cell phone service is also dreadful, so have a meet-up spot for there as well (ours was the Buckingham Fountain).

So which do you choose? The massive and expensive Chicago festival which features alternative and rock music or the smaller Wisconsin concert which features country music? Do you want the chance to hang out with the friends you have had forever at Country Thunder or to make new friends at Lollapalooza? Summer will come faster than you think. Country Thunder is only 296 days away and Lollapalooza is 303 days away, so make your choice fast because tickets will sell out.

The good news, though, is if you do save up your money or if your parents really are feeling generous, buy tickets for both festivals and you will make your decision that much easier!