greetings! we are newbies this year, and though we feel like we have done some extensive research both on and off the forum boards, we still have several unanswered questions…
we are staying at illium, and are wondering…
when we make a trip to the showers at the high school, should we plan on taking our stuff to go into the festival as well? or is it easy enough to come back to the camp site to drop off our shower goods and pick up our festival gear for the day, and then shuttle up to the festival?
we keep reading about the river at illium, but haven’t really found many specific details - other than it is COLD… is it best to camp near the river? can we tube (like a lazy river)?
we have friends that got tp camping in the lottery. will we be able to meet up with them at their campsite, or do we always have to have a tp wristband?
we have read a couple different theories around groceries… what is the best plan for picking up grocery staples? what town should we stop in for our shopping before we get to the campsite?
thanks so much for your input! looking forward to meeting everyone!
I camped at Ilium once, a long time ago. But I’ve been to several TBF’s and will do my best to answer your questions.
If it were me, I’d pack it up in the morning, you’ll may have to wait for the shuttle a bit, and head to the High School, then head on in to the fest. It’s not worth going back and forth. Illium isn’t a LONG way away, but it is a bit of hike - 6 miles from town or something (someone correct me here, maybe it’s 4 or 5?). Factor in waiting for the shuttle to high school, back to camp, back to town, etc. and it’s not worth it. Just pack it up and head on out.
Water is cold as hell, but feels great to put your feet in after a long day. Can’t say about tubing, I doubt you’ll have time.
This depends on what security arrangements the planet makes this year, there will probably be an announcement from them sometime as the date gets closer - - but in the past anyone could hang in town park until Wednesday night - - including homeless scroungers and a few other malcontents - and those are just the people I camp with Camp Run A Muck - which is why the comment about security. It’s not bad, but leave your cell phone or camera on that picnic table - and guess what? It’s gone. Happens ALL THE TIME! But, town park is a great place and you shouldn’t have problems meeting your friends there up until Wednesday night, IF things go like they have in previous years.
3a. If they tighten things up a bit for town park, Telluride is indeed a GREAT town. enjoy it - galleries, little shops, the old town jail, the bank that Butch Cassidy and Sundance they say robbed, great restaurants, the Gondola is FREE! You can ride up and hike down, or ride both ways, etc. Tons to do. Be sure to be at Smugglers for seems like either a newbie party or a virgin sacrifice on Wednesday. Have a beer at Smugglers and a nice whiskey at the New New Sheriden, you’ll be glad you did.
I wouldn’t invest a lot in grocery stuff. Breakfast stuff and/or coffee, fruit, muffins, etc tops. Once you leave camp during festival time (Thurs - Sun) in the AM you won’t be coming back 'til after dark. You can get lunch/dinner cheap at the festival, or buy some stuff at one of the two grocery stores in town to bring in for a picnic-type lunch - remember, no glasswear/alcohol - but you can bring smoked salmon, cheese, grapes, those little sausage thingies, 'til your hearts content - if you do bring smoked salmon, cheese, grapes, or those little sausage thingies, be sure to come find me.
4a. if you are driving up, there are stores in Montrose (probably the best place if coming from the north/Durango if coming from the south) Wal-mart, liquor stores, etc. Telluride has all this stuff and they don’t really kill you price-wise like you’d think, and you’ll probably get by on less than you think you need - we always buy too much stuff every year, you’d think we know better by now. This will sound stupid, but take if from someone who been to this thing a few times - buy less for the cooler and go have a dinner or two out in town - - there’s great places to try and a place for most budgets - Baked in Telluride is one of the best bang for the bucks in town and they do a GREAT job with pizza, sandwhiches, etc. Besides, the townfolk and the businesses are part of the fest, too! Quite a few places have dinner/lunch specials during festival week.
One last thing - a lot of the festival is simulcast on the local radio station - KOTO. When we were camping remotely, it was great to have a radio - they talk about a lot of the festival stuff in the morning, play great music, and if you’re feeling lazy or not in a hurry in the morning you can catch (sometimes) some of the acts on the main stage. You’ll feel like you’re not missing anything.
Hope that helps - bring a hat, sunscreen, some warm stuff to put on when the sun goes down. Read the “what to bring list” tacked on at the top of the posts. And don’t forget to get me some of those little sausage thingies . . .
We are staying at Mary as well and this is our first fest. I have one other question, we are arriving either late Monday or super early Tues. We will be able to drive into Town Park until Wed for the early activities or do we have to take a shuttle?
You won’t be able to get into the town of Telluride or Town Park for that matter without either a town barricade pass (usually used for locals, merchants, or people staying in condos) or a town park vehicle pass.
If you have a town park camping pass, you could drive in and drop stuff off, and then have to park your car somewhere. Besides, if you had a town park vehicle pass and parked in town park on Monday, you wouldn’t be able leave on Wednesday anyway, once your in, your in, it isn’t a come and go situation - - which is why vehicle passes are really only useful for people with campers, trailers, etc. - vehicles they are sleeping in. Totally useless for cars.
Last year was my first TBGF, I camped at Illium and LOVED IT!!
*For shower stuff I agree with erndog. It’s probably best to just bring it with you and everything else that you need for the day. It’s really not that far away, but packing stuff up, waiting for the bus, etc.: all the small wait times add up and I thought it was just easier to have everything for the day.
*The river at illium is VERY cold. It is very refreshing if you want a cold splash of water in the morning, but it’s hard to stay in longer than a minute. If I remember correctly, the river is technically outside of Planet Bluegrass’s boundaries, so that may be why you have not found specific details. The river is close no matter where you’re camped though! And it’s a fabulous way to wake up!!
*I’m not sure if it will be the same this year, but last year we had friends in TP and we could not go hang out with them in their campsite. They check to see if you have a TP wristband as you walk in, and if not, they turn you away. They were definitely checking.
*I agree with erndog on groceries too. We ended up bringing too much random food items. It’s reasonable to have some meals in town and some at camp without spending a ton of money. Definitely worth it to check out some cool food places in town.
*Overall, I loved illium. The setting is awesome and the bus itself is actually really fun! Comfy camp chairs are a must! Also, bring warm layers and lots of water bottles into the festival for the day.
ayers and lots of water bottles into the festival for the day.
Just bring your refillable bottle to the festival… There is FREE nice cold mountain water available to fill your bottle with… Less for you to carry and less waste …
I guess by lots of water bottles I meant refillable water bottles for you and your crew! Definitely not extra bottles or extra waste!
Just want to stay hydrated underneath that Colorado sun!
Erndog pretty much hit that on the head. I stayed in Illium my 1st year…2000…it is about 7 miles away from town so once you get to town, your best bet is to stay there! DEFINITELY bring a little radio…you can catch the festival on it from KOTO…don’t forget a warm winter hat! It will come in very handy once that sun goes down at night! Also, don’t forget to check out Elks Park in town for some great FREE music. It is located right across the street from the Sheridan Opera House!
also remember that Illium holds a tad more than a few people so get to the bus lines early to get to town or you might be in the shuttle line behind many people which could cause you to miss something you really want to see
thanks erndog that info was incredibly helpful! this is also my first tbf and i’ll be camping solo at illium. sandiegosoulsisters - i’ll keep an eye out for you!
