I have never been to a festival of any type so I need some advice on what to expect, what to bring, and what not to bring with me. I will be camping on site–so far alone!
I love Josh Ritter and when I heard he was playing, I bought my ticket!
Any advice for a first time all-aloner?
Welcome! Are you camping onsite or one of the other campgrounds?
You can get in line to get in the onsite campground starting Monday, I think. Some people will get up there Tues/Wed night or Thurs afternoon. The gates to get in open at 6pm on Thursday. No matter what time you get in line, there will be spots to setup camp. Shade can be a bit of an issue depending on where you setup so might want to plan for that. The grocery store in town has most things you could want, tho it is quite a bit pricier than the Safeway/etc down the road in Longmont.
Friday usually isn’t very crowded so whatever time you get there you’ll still have room to put down a blanket/tarp and have some room. Sat/Sun if you want a ‘prime’ spot, get in line after the fest is over on Fri/Sat and then sometime a few hours later, someone from PB will come around with random numbers. The benefit of that, even with a high number, is you get in before all the people who show up for the day without one! Being solo, however, I’d bet you could surf the tarps and find nice people with extra space to share and not have to worry about that at all.
Don’t miss the Big Orange Tarp in the onsite campground after the fest is over for the night. Song school people as well as the occasional main stage/wildflower artist will sit around playing songs. Nice listen for sure.
Bring some shoes/etc (or a tube!) to wade into the St Vrain if the day is hot. Awesome to listen to the music with your feet in the river. Money for some of those Sister’s Dumplings (mmmmm sooo good) and other merch people. Across from the beer tent are booths that often with free samples!
Folks is definitely a great festival, you’ll love it.
Oh and watch out for the falling oak tree branches!
And no climbing on the rocks on the other side of the river!
LisaMarie,
Remember to bring clothes for just about any weather, especially a poncho. A low back ‘Festival’ chair is a must too. Don’t forget your instrument, if you play, the campfire (minus the fire, of course) song circles are great, friendly and you will be more than welcome to play, sing or just sit and listen. Come by the big pop up and I’ll pour you a home brew as a welcome to a newbie.
BTW, Josh is great and I am looking forward to his classes at Song School.
Eddie
Thanks! I do not play. Am I able to observe song school? I am in awe of Josh and would just like to listen to him.
LisaMarie, sadly you cannot observe Song School, sorry.
Too bad! Josh Ritter is amazing and I would just love to listen to anything he has to say. Maybe I can chat with you afterward and hear second hand what he said!
Hi Lisa Marie,
Welcome to Folks Fest, you’ll love it!
If you can arrive Thursday afternoon, that’s best, you get in line, and they start letting people in at 6pm. If not get there as early as possible Friday morning.
There’s a small grocery store in town you can walk to, so you don’t necessarily have to bring food. Also a liquor store where you can buy beer for me. You won’t need it since Eddie is giving you his home brews. 
As others have said, bring clothing for all types of weather-- very sunny and hot during the day, and cool at night. And it usually rains one afternoon, so bring a poncho and umbrella.
Make friends with your neighbors and have fun!
-Rob Roper
Looks like rain in the forecast as of right now so let me tell you- come prepared-
rain pancho,rain boots, umbrella,low back beach chair, tarp for sitting on and one to put over you during the fest.
It will make the world of difference if you have your stuff and can be comfortable no matter what happens.
Personally I love the rain.