MINNEAPOLIS — After two years of adjusting sails and battening down the hatches, Minnesota Yacht Club organizers know how to steer their ship. But the forecasted heat in this, the festival’s third year, could put the crew and its passengers to the test.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 90s on Friday for the first of three days at Yacht Club, which runs through Sunday at Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul. One of the top names on Friday’s schedule, the Fray, might describe the entire crowd of 30,000 or more by the time the band takes the stage at 6 p.m.

Other artists performing through the weekend include the Lumineers, Black Keys, Mt. Joy and Dashboard Confessional on Friday; Matchbox Twenty, Geese, Lord Huron, Lucy Dacus and All-American Rejects on Saturday; and the Strokes, Cage the Elephant, Passion Pit, Die Spitz and Minnesota vets Atmosphere and Semisonic on Sunday.

Good thing organizers and the festival’s many repeat attendees have already gotten the lay of the land during MYC’s two prior years. Last weekend’s offshoot festival, Minnesota Country Club, also helped with preparations.

Here are pointers and advice on how to plan for and make the most of what could be a challenging Year Three.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Bring refillable water containers, including plastic or aluminum water bottles or hydration packs. There are four large water-filling stations around the grounds, most notably one northeast of the Crow’s Nest stage (the smaller, second stage). Also, MYC security staff is very good about handing out free cartons of water from the pit areas near the front of the stages. Do not rely on those handouts, but take advantage of them when you can.

Other ways to beat the heat: There’s a small, shady grove of trees due north of Crow’s Nest with a good view of both stages, but you usually have to get there early to claim a spot. Otherwise, you either need to find shade far from the stages or consider spending $500-$1,500 more to upgrade your wristbands to either the VIP area (with more trees near the stage) or the platinum lounge (indoor air-conditioning).

C3 representatives told the Star Tribune they are also adding shade tents and misters to the grounds before Friday to offset the heat dangers.

What else to bring: Small misting fans and sunscreen in non-aerosol containers under 3.5 ounces will come in handy. Those are on the long list of permitted items at minnesotayachtclubfestival.com. Keep in mind that lockers can be rented on-site for $25 per day.

Don’t bring: Coolers, glass containers, umbrellas or any other kind of tent or canopy. Those are among the prohibited items listed on the fest’s website.

No lawn chairs, either: They’re not allowed. Consider blankets instead, though they can only be used in new “blanket zones” a certain distance from the stages. The ban on lawn chairs is a rule that MYC’s producing company C3 Presents has implemented at many of its other festivals around the country.

“The problem with chairs at a festival is: (a) obviously it’s a tripping hazard, especially at night when you and I are walking around and run into a chair,” C3 promoter Tim Sweetwood explained, “and (b) you’re not there to stake your claim to a spot. No one really has that right at a festival like this.”

Concession lines have improved: C3 organizers admit they were understaffed and too disorganized at the food and drink stands in 2024, issues they improved for the second year. “We added a bit more footage and a lot of staff,” Sweetwood said.

Cell service remains terrible: During the past two years, as well as last weekend’s Country Club fest, cellphones were close to useless. Texting friends or posting to social media was a big challenge, because cellular service was ultra-spotty with 35,000 users flooding Harriet Island (which sits at a low point between river bluffs). This is one trouble spot that might not see improvement.

“I always wish that was 100% under our control but, unfortunately, it’s not,” said Sweetwood.

Reconsider ride-hailing: Lots of complaints were generated off Year One over-inflated fares, confused drivers and a poorly mapped pickup point for Uber, Lyft and other ride-app options. Festival organizers have tweaked the pickup point, now mapped at 119 S. Livingston Ave., and the other issues have improved, too.

Some attendees reported saving a lot on ride fees and headaches in past years by walking back into downtown and using a pickup point by Grand Casino Arena or thereabouts. Others suggested just eating the cost of parking, which includes ample public garages and lots downtown or private lots charging $30-$40 on the west side of the river.

Light rail is back: This time last year, Metro Transit officials were about as popular as Kid Rock at a Women’s March when they decided to shut down the Green Line for maintenance on probably the busiest weekend of activity around downtown St. Paul. This year, the Green Line will be fully operational into Union Depot (a mile walk to Harriet Island over the Wabasha Street Bridge). However, work is also now being done on the line west of West Bank Station in Minneapolis. See metrotransit.org for various options.

Expect to spend lots of money: As we’ve warned since Year One, high-production multiday festivals like this make a lot of money off concession sales over the long days. We got a sneak peek at this year’s Yacht Club prices last weekend, when beers started at $10 for a 12-ounce and went to over $18 for bigger, cocktails were $17-$29, and sodas and mocktails were $5-$10. Food items start at about $15, and most are over $20.

But don’t bring cash:The Yacht Club is an entirely cashless festival. Printed money will do you no good. Credit and debit cards and mobile pay apps are accepted everywhere. Fans can even register their wristbands with a pre-loaded credit card and PIN and just tap their wrists to pay. They try to make it easy to spend money!

Tickets are still available: This year’s fest doesn’t look to be quite as hot a ticket as last year’s MYC lineup with Green Day, Hozier, Fall Out Boy and Alabama Shakes. Passes at all admission levels are still available for any or all of the three days via minnesotayachtclubfestival.com. They should be for sale each day at the box office located just off the bridge at 74 Wabasha St.

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