Location: Governors Island
Date: July 9th and 10th, 2016
Give me 30 seconds:
- Buy the VIP or Amex option (if thats available). Not to be a snoot but the amount of grass stains I saw on white outfits was unbearable. With an Amex wristband, you get a lounge area with couches and umbrellas.
- VIP ticket holders also had a separate bar and bathroom with significantly shorter lines.
- They did advertise that there were separate priority boarding lines to get onto the Ferry, but I didn't see that happen.
- Don't wear heels. So many poor girls wearing beautiful Aquazzura sandals sinking into the grass was a tragedy to watch.
- VIP and Amex ticket holders also got to dance right up on the stage whereas the General Admission was pushed back much further away.
- Picnic baskets were available for purchase pre event, but you were welcome to bring your own food. I suggest that. I saw so many unopened and untouched picnic baskets but plenty of empty magnum bottles of rose.
- No other food is available for sale on site except Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Handsome Dan's Cotton Candy so be aware of that before coming.
- Try to adhere to the dress code colors. People really talk some sh*t otherwise.
- Due to weather, the ferris wheel had to be cancelled.
- Super tight security so don't take off your wristbands or credentials.
Overheard Complaints: (I personally didn't experience any of these)
- No visible VIP line to Ferry or Great Lawn entry for those ticket holders.
- Over hour wait to pick up picnic baskets.
- Long entry line at Great Lawn.
- Long lines to purchase Rosé.
- No Ferris Wheel (due to weather)
What happens when you mix a pink and white dress code, rosé wine, live music and almost 10,000 people? Pure rose colored magic. Keep the rosé flowing and read on...
Recapping Pinknic, which took place on July 9th and 10th, thousands of New Yorkers headed over to Governors Island decked out in their best summer whites (or pink!) to celebrate the worlds first ever Rosé picnic and music festival on the Great Lawn of Governors Island. Guests donned everything from fabulous white linen suits to pink seersucker looks to blushy gingham rompers but of course there were the few that didn't get the color memo or simply didn't give AF. Witnessed a few bachelorette parties, many birthday celebrations, flower crowns trying to make a comeback and a woman go into labor; quite the scene. I'd say the crowd was about 85% women and 15% men all sharing a love of music, day drinking, and an excuse to dress up.
Upon arrival to the Great Lawn, you are given wrist bands signifying your ticket level; stamp for general admission, hot pink for VIP and white for American Express Lounge. Hundreds of blush hued picnic blanks by sponsor Suit Supply covered the lawn facing the stage with a stunning backdrop of the World Trade Center all the way to the Statue of Liberty. Surrounding the area were obligatory gram and snap worthy signage including #Pinknic and #RoseAllDay, which drew lines in all directions. I heard some people waited over an hour to take a photo with the signage because let be honest, you aren't trying to have randoms in the background of your grams. Lounges for title sponsors Whispering Angel, Dream hotel and Bermuda tourism surrounded the VIP area for people to lounge in and obviously take more Instagram pics. Did you know Bermuda boasts over 22 pink colored beaches?
VIP Area: Plenty of rose colored picnic blankets right in front of the stage were set up in a roped off area for those holding VIP credentials.
Amex Lounge: With actual couches to sit on, the American Express lounge is the place to be. No ground sitting, real tables to eat on, no grass stain worries, separate bar and extra security, nicer bathrooms; I highly suggest purchasing this ticket option.
Food: I can't comment on the baskets by Chef Chris Santos as I didn't order any of them. I stuck to my liquid Rosé diet that day. Oh but I did snag some of the famous Dan's cotton candy which was pink fluffy perfection.
Drinks: Non alcoholic options of still and sparking water by Chateau d'Esclans and Evian, sparking juice by Sipp, Badoit sparking water, Vita Coco coconut water were all available for purchase. Alcoholic options of Château d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé, Champagne Moët, Chandon Rosé and Chandon Sparkling Rosé were all available. Along with bottle purchases, guests received a Pinknic ice bag and commemorative glasses, which were yours to keep.
Music: World renowned EMD artists played tracks as guests jammed out all around the lawn. Personal favorite Miami Horror performed both days for quite a long set, which was one of my favorite Pinknic moments. Find me stage side dancing to Real Slow <3.
So Pinknic, as you wrap up your first year, I must say you have already left a mark on my heart. I'm already preparing my perfectly crisp whites for next years festival and thinking of all the rose I will consume. Perfectly Summer, perfectly New York and perfectly happy. Until next year!
*Headlining sponsor Bermuda Tourism sponsored pink pedicabs which took certain guests to and from the Ferry to the Great Lawn. I relieved one pedi driver and took over while he took a water break.
As always, GO JETSETAWAY. Who else was at Pinknic and what were your experience? Share in the comments below!