This post was originally on my personal blog, ConcertKatie, and has been updated for 2018’s event!
Hanson “Day” 2018 will take place beginning the evening of May 17 until May 19, 2017 in Tulsa, OK. While The Hop Jam has not been officially announced yet, the assumption is that will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2017.
In order to go – you must be a paid Hanson.net member. If you’re not yet, join. The 2018 EP should be released at Hanson Day weekend and can be picked up there by members who have paid their membership fees through 2019. If you paid for your membership in 2017, while you may be a valid member through May 2018 to attend MOE, you won’t be able to pick up your new kit unless you renew early. (A cut off date is usually announced, but I’d suggest to do it by April) Your membership will be good for another year from the date you originally joined and you’ll get to pick up the kit and take it home with you at MOE.
(For example – if you joined December 18, 2017 as a 2017 member, your membership will be good until December 18, 2018. If you renew for 2018 on April 1, your membership will be extended until December 18, 2019 making you eligible to pick up your kit at MOE. Your expiration date can be found on your account profile page on Hanson.net)
Where to Stay
Most of the events happen in the Brady Arts District in Downtown Tulsa. Concerts have been held at Cain’s Ballroom and the Brady Theater. The location for 2018 has not yet been announced. The closest hotel is the Fairfield Inn. This hotel is pretty small so it books up fast. Hanson has a group rate and you can try to book through their link on Hanson.net if it has not sold out yet. There is also the Hyatt about a half a mile to a mile walk away which is much bigger (and sometimes has cheaper rates available on Priceline). These are the only hotels I have personally stayed at but there are several others within a mile or two of the area – some I have heard of other fans staying at include Aloft, Double Tree and Best Western. Some hotels provide airport shuttles. Those that do not will run you about $20-$30 on a cab or a bit cheaper if you use uber.
Do I Need a Car?
This depends on what you want to do. If you are coming in early or staying later and want to explore more of Tulsa, I’d say yes. If you are only coming for Thurs/Fri-Sun, you will probably kept busy with so many Hanson activities that you won’t really need one if you are staying within walking distance. (Note: If they have a movie night, the theater is a distance from the other activities and you will need a car or cab or uber)
When Should I Come?
This year it sounds like activities with Hanson will be starting Thursday evening. (The last 2 years it was karaoke Thursday night) Typically Thursday afternoon they begin the check in process and open the Hanson store. In the past, items have sold out after Thursday and were not restocked. Some years they do end up restocking and putting most items up on the Hanson.net store. If you want to see more of Tulsa you should probably come early or stay later as they to tend to keep the weekend jam-packed with activities.
What activities are free?
All activities require a Hanson.net Membership ($40+shipping). Free with your RSVP is access to the Hanson Store, Hanson Gallery, Photos with the band, State of the Band and the Members Only Concert.
The Hop Jam concert on Sunday is also free and open to the public (you do not need to be a Hanson.net member to attend) and this past year they did offer VIP Upgrades for a fee which gave you access to the beer garden early, taste tickets as well as merchandise.
What are the add on activities and how much are they?
We won’t know for sure the prices for 2018 and which activities they will be holding until they are announced at the beginning of February. Here is a guide based on past events and prices:
Movie Night – $12
Fan Club Dinner – $22 (Friday night and Saturday night, fixed menu, usually at Caz’s or Mexicali’s)
Street Team Leaders Dinner – $22 (for Street Team Leaders only)
Dance party – $15 / $20 at door
Karaoke – $15 / $20 at door
Dance party / Karaoke bundle – $25
Lectures – $25 / $30 at door
Bowling – $50 (includes a t-shirt)
Hansonopoly – $25
There is a cut off on when you can buy tickets until online. If any tickets are left, they will be available first come, first serve at the check in table (usually CASH ONLY). Last year all events sold out in advance.
What are the VIP tickets for Hop Jam?
Past years have had the following VIP tickets. Until the event is officially announced, we don’t know what might change for 2018.
Unlimited Hop Ticket ($35)
-Unlimited beer tasting
-Commemorative tasting cup
-Event lanyard
Hop Head Ticket ($50)
-Early entry to the festival (1 hour early)
-Limited edition Hop Head Hat
-Unlimited beer tasting
-Commemorative tasting cup
-Event lanyard
Hop Snob Ticket ($65)
-Hop Talks featuring exclusive panels of attending Brewmasters
-Early Entry to the festival (2 hours early)
-Limited edition Hop Head Hat
-Unlimited beer tasting
-Commemorative tasting cup
-Event lanyard
Craft Beer VIP Ticket ($150)
Craft Beer VIP Lounge access – indoor lounge offering air conditioning, seating, real bathrooms, food, unlimited water, soft drinks & featured craft beers
-Hop Talks featuring exclusive panels of attending Brewmasters
-Early Entry to the festival (2 hours early)
-Limited edition Hop Head Hat
-Unlimited beer tasting
-Commemorative tasting cup
-Event lanyard
Music VIP Ticket ($65)
-Reserved concert seating area
-Music VIP Lounge access – indoor lounge offering air conditioning, seating, real bathrooms, food, unlimited water, soft drinks & featured craft beers
What does the schedule typically look like?
Here’s a breakdown of 2016:
Thursday
Registration begins 4pm
Store opens 4pm
Karaoke 8pm
Friday
Registration 9am
Store opens 9:30am
Gallery opens 9am
Group Photos 12-2pm
Lectures 2-7pm
Dinners 8-9:30pm
Dance Party – 11pm-1am
Saturday
Bowling 9am-noon
Gallery opens 9am
Store opens 9:30am
Registration 1-2pm
State of the Band 2-5pm
Dinners 6-7pm
HANSON CONCERT 7-10pm
Sunday
Hop Jam gates open at different times based on VIP tickets
Where Should I Fly To?
Tulsa has an International Airport (TUL) that is serviced by many airlines. Oklahoma City is a couple of hours away and also has an airport. I am not sure the best way to get from OKC to TUL without renting a car – if anyone has any tips or experience in this area let me know and I will add it!
How is the Weather?
Unpredictable. Pack for all seasons. Some years have been rainy, windy and cold, others have been so hot that you wish you packed a pair of shorts (or are happy that you did) and some have been all of the above all wrapped into one – and maybe a tornado warning for good measure. I think a combination of jeans, capris and shorts as well as a hoodie and rain jacket should cover most of your bases.
Where can I eat?
There are a lot of restaurants in the downtown area, some of them include:
Dilly Diner
Caz’s Chowhouse
Mexicali Border Cafe
Sisserou Carribean
Coney Island Hot Dogs
The Tavern
PRYHME Steakhouse
El Guapos
McNellie’s
Chimera Cafe
Joe Mama’s Pizza
Hurts Donut
Rib Crib
Fassler Hall
STG Pizzeria
Fat Guy’s Burgers
RSVP is up now on Hanson.net – Just go to the calendar page once you are logged in and click the button to RSVP! You will be sent an email confirmation there will be no confirmation list posted on the site like there has been in years past. If you later realize you can no longer attend, just go to the calendar page and unclick the button to un-RSVP.
*Note: Last year I made a page to let you know if you needed to renew your membership to pick up your EP at Hanson Day. I will be modifying it for the 2018 dates and posting it hopefully in the next few days 🙂
thanks for this! it’s really helpful 🙂