As I’m listening to Gillian Welch it reminded me of one my first posts on this said board, of which I probably have spent as much time as I have spent in bars the last 10 years - for those who do not know me, that’s saying something… :thumbsup According to forum stats, a disproportionate amount of my time has been here, on festivarian.com, communicating with you kind people.
To those folks who I first met on this forum and have experienced some of the most beautiful songs and jams, hilarity, debauchery, chicanery and other high jinx, i wish thee a journey abundant with endless Festivaaaals. Hooch, CSI, Daniela, Semicharmed, Doc Mike, Punchy, Mgirl, Hot Sugar, Hippie, Telluride Tom, swander, and all of you beautiful people who we’ve experienced the abundance of Telluride.
Thank you, Planet Bluegrass, for your wonderful accentuations of things we hold so dearly.
Well said Billy! I could not agree more. Here is my festivarian.com story, sorry for the length…
This board and all of you festivarians have changed my life. When I was heading to TBF in 2011, living the condo life (luckily due to the snow on Sunday) I used this board to research and prepare for the, at that point, best 4 days of my life. At that festival I decided the next time I would be back was when I got town park tickets.
From there I used this board to secure and help others secure so many Rocky Grass and Folks Festival tickets. All along the way learning about new and favorite music.
I found the information on how to stream TBF (and donate to continue streaming) on KOTO, I listened religiously to all the sets longing for my time back at festival.
Then it happened, in 2015 I got 1 ticket to Town Park through the re-sale. I ventured to TBF solo, fully prepared to spend the 10 days camping in town park being an autonomous camper. I had planned on getting there for Land Rush but through this board saw a fellow town park camper needed a ride from Grand Junction. I picked up my soon to be neighbor Good Susie and made it to the promise land Saturday afternoon. It was from there things really took shape, I met so many wonderful friends and found out immediately that at no point would I be camping alone. I had a family now. I met SO MANY of my now best friends. Heard so much music and that was before the festival had even started.
Move to Tuesday before festival, for some reason I decided to pick up my phone in town park and look at festivarian.com I saw a posting that 2 girls from Golden (my then hometown) needed a space for an EZ up and two small tents, she was wondering if they would be able to find this space mid-day Wednesday. I replied saying the tents should be no problem but the EZ may be hard. She persisted and asked if there was any way to make room for all of it. Being that I had already been so fortunate and had so many people help me I said I would throw a tarp down for them. Well I did this and they were able to fit it all in. They were very grateful and were great neighbors at festival.
Well once back to Golden I connected with one of the festivarians needing space, it turned out she lived only 5 minutes away from me. Now she lives even closer as we live together in Wheat Ridge and I plan to ask her to be my wife one day VERY SOON.
So as you can see this forum has truly changed my life and that is thanks to Planet Bluegrass for sure, but mostly due to the people here and those that occupy town park for the 2+ weeks in June. You all are the kindest, most fun and enlightened music lovers I could imagine aligning myself with and I look forward to every moment I get to spend with you in the future. Is it June yet? FESTIVAAAALLLLLL!!!
It was an honor to be the first non Planet Bluegrass staff to be asked to join this forum to help build it into the community that we have today. :medal
All of you Festivarians have made a significant role in the creation of this family. :flower
Just as I do in my role as mayor of Town Park I try my best to keep things running smoothly and you all have been a great help in the process. It couldn’t be done without you. :thumbsup
Many lasting relationships have come out of the love that is shared both here and at the festivals and I have been honored to take part in numerous weddings to date. :love
We have also celebrated the lives of many we have lost over the years. :sorry
Here’s to another ten years of family and friendship. :cheers
Nate, you’re killing me! Thanks for sharing, and Billy thanks for bringing up this subject. :cheers
I’m pretty new, just my third year, but this forum seems like the hands and arms holding everyone together when we aren’t at Festival. :hug
My first year, Australian Fan was running point with great questions and energy. At the same time I researched so many topics from way back, especially the hooligans and festive times in town park prior to the festival! I felt like I knew many of you before I even met you! :eek
This forum or rather all of you, convinced me to step up and experience this community, specifically in town park. That decision changed my life in ways I will not elaborate on. Besides, Nate story is better!!
And this forum, along with the all so well timed announcements from Brian and Dustin, gets me stoked as the time approaches!! :sunshine The anticipation … the preparation … the stoking! I love it!!! :horsey
I’m as excited to hang out with all of you for almost 10 days as I am to see some of the best bluegrass bands. :flower
Maybe there should be a disclaimer: “Hanging out with Planet Bluegrass Festivarians may change your life. The said entity assumes no responsibilities for any life decisions made before, during, or after any said times of ‘hanging out’”
Buchanan summed it up “Camping in the mountains with a song in our hearts, believing this is how a better world starts.”
