I like an educational component. Often times the workshops are very basic and it is nice if there are both beginners workshops and workshops that are a bit more advanced for those who have gotten past the beginner level. Last year at GMUG they had some more advanced workshops and that was nice. There comes a point where the workshop on two chord songs just doesn't get it anymore. Something more challenging for those who are up to it is fun.
The second thing that I like is an open mic opportunity. I like to participate in the open mic, but I also like to watch other people, see where they are at and what they are doing. Compare myself to what they are doing and see where I want to go. I get a lot out of them. I also think that the atmosphere around the open mic is important. I've been to some festivals where the open mic is in the same room as the workshops, just a big hotel conference room and there is just no atmosphere to feed off of. The MightyMo probably used to have the best atmosphere for an open mic. It was held at a resort that had an old west motif and they had the open mic in an old west saloon. That was a lot of fun playing in there. The performers voted best from the open mic then opened for the headliner on concert night. That was a good festival. Lots of very talented people. If you really like open mic, the Ukulele World Congress is just one big open mic. Not much else though.
Some good vendors helps out a lot. It is fun to shop around during breaks before and after workshops, but it is also nice to be able to pick up a spare string set if you break a string, a yellow book if you are new to the strum-a-longs that are touted as jams, or some other piece of equipment that one might need. It is fun to wait for a festival with some good vendors and then let your UAS take over.
I've attended probably seven or eight festivals, and those are the things that I liked most. What don't I like, some festivals get tribal. It is not a lot of fun for the people who are not part of the inner group. They get cliquish. There is always a lot of talk about inclusion at those festivals, but sometimes it is just lip service. I think that the people putting it on need to be genuine. That's about it. Most of the festivals I've been to have been well worth the trip.
