So, is this going to be your first time? At RumFest that is…

Can I offer a little advice to the first timer?

Don’t worry: TheFloatingRumShack.com wouldn’t presume to tell you how to have fun. You wouldn’t need to be told anyway – if you like rum, then you already know how to have a good time.

Perhaps we’ll share a thought or two that will help you to enjoy the day a little more fully and not leave you in a dribbling heap, all partied out and fit for nothing!

RumFest is being held on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of October. The doors open at midday and close at 7pm. This means you could be in rum heaven (heaven in this case is conveniently located at London’s Olympia Two event hall) for a total of 14 hours if you get tickets for both days. During this time you are very likely to consume rum! And this of course is the point… It’s not inconceivable that you may drink a lot of rum and cocktails – especially if you purchase extra tokens and aim to try everything on offer.

With that in mind, please do make sure you have a good breakfast and whatever else you do: drink plenty of water! Bringing a bottle of water with you is a good thing. Keep your eyes open – the last couple of years have seen free bottles of water dotted about – take advantage, stay hydrated, you won’t regret it.

A good thing about having water with you is that you’ll be able refresh your taste buds between samples – this way you’ll more easily spot the subtleties in flavour between the differing brands and find the one that calls out to you.

What else? Well make sure you listen to the representative as he or she tells you about what to look for. Chances are you might miss something important and the experience just won’t be the same. From Appleton to Zacapa, the world of rum is wide and varied and without fail, very interesting. The representative is the guide to take you on a sugar cane spirit journey.

Take your time – you’ve got longer than you realise. Get there early and beat the crowds. Rushing from stand to stand, slurping as you go is not going to end well. I’ve always enjoyed this relaxed approach, but the drawback is that you may not see everything… Truth be told, after two full days at RumFest last year, I still felt like I hadn’t seen everything on offer!

So, you probably won’t see absolutely everything that’s on offer. Seminars, stage events and of course: getting around all the stands. With all these fun options competing for your attention you’ll soon find that the hours have flown by and it will be time to head off. By the time you leave your feet will be sore from walking all around the place, but I bet you’ve got a smile as broad as the Thames and some real ‘rum love’ inside you.

See you there!

Pete