Featured Image Credit: SWNS
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Lifestyle, Festivals, UK News
Olivia Burke
Britain's biggest swingers festival is set to begin later this week for the fifth year in a row.
And to celebrate Swingathon hitting the half a decade milestone, organisers promise to have pulled out all of the stops to make it a weekend to remember.
Thousands of like-minded folk are set to descend on the village of Allington in Lincolnshire from Thursday (17 July) for the three-day event.
Previous years have featured 'play tents', pole dancing, hot tubs, foam parties, mobile dungeons and even butt-plug bingo, so there's plenty of activities to keep attendees busy.
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People have stumped up £210 for the privilege of getting into the lifestyle event in the East Midlands, which lasts until Sunday (20 July), or £250 per couple.
Although festivalgoers are encouraged to leave their inhibitions at the entrance gates, there is still a number of rules which people at Swingathon must abide by.
And before you ask - no, it is not a 'sex festival', according to its organisers.
"We are an adult alternative lifestyle event for all like minded individuals and support the LGBTQ+ community and those in the Fet/Kink industry," Swingathon bosses say.
So, without further ado, let's get into the rules of the weekend.
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Like the majority of UK festivals, Swingathon is an opportunity for people to express themselves through their clothing - or lack thereof.
Attendees don't have a dress code to abide by at the festival and can 'wear whatever they feel comfortable in' - including their birthday suit - as Swingathon explains: "For some, this is no more than a pair of wellies.
"For others, it's a full on inflatable dinosaur outfit. There is usually a mix of everything from birthday suits to club wear/fetish wear or onesies."
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However, there are some fancy dress themes which people can sink their teeth into on both Friday and Saturday night, although this isn't compulsory.
The organisers also urged people to remember this is the UK - so packing something waterproof and warm is advisable, given that our weather has a tendency of taking a dramatic turn.
in the same breath, you also better pack your sunscreen to ensure you're protected in the sunshine.
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Have you even been somewhere if there isn't photographic evidence of it these days?
There's no harm with wanting to capture a memento of your weekend of fun, but at Swingathon, you've got to play by the rules.
Privacy is pivotal at the swinger's festival 'because of the type of event' it is, and ensuring the anonymity of attendees is a top priority for the organisers.
That's why there is 'strictly no pictures or filming inside the arena', while guests are told to treat the event as though they are attending a swingers club.
"You may take pictures of yourselves in your own tent area and we also have an area specifically for pictures," Swingathon says. "But do not take any pictures of any other festivalgoers without consent.
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"If you need an exemption and wish to keep your phone with you, then stickers will be available to cover cameras at the entrance.
"Any persons seen with a phone without camera stickers by staff or security will be asked to leave the arena and/or festival."
There is a 'private content area' instead for people to take snaps and videos, but those who don't want to be caught in the back of any photographs have been warned to steer clear of this spot.
As we mentioned, Swingathon takes the 'safety, security and privacy of our members VERY seriously' - which is why they 'verify' every single attendee before the festival begins.
To gain access to the event, organisers must have confirmed that you are 'active within the lifestyle' as a swinger and that you 'have a deep understanding of what the festival is about'.
If you are part of an online platform for swingers - such as FabSwingers, SpicyMatch, Pineapple App or GroupFun - you can simply offer up your username, which organisers will then cross reference.
You can also get into Swingathon if you have been recommended by a 'trusted regular attendee', or if you have a membership with certain clubs.
"This is not an exhaustive list and we do understand that you can be in the lifestyle and not be a member to any of the aforementioned platforms," the festival adds, explaining that if this is the case, you must get in touch before you buy a ticket to outline your connection to the lifestyle.
So...what do organisers expect the crowd to look like this year?
According to Swingathon, there will be a 'good mix of couples, single males and females'. The festival says there is a ratio of three couples per every single male.