Hey everyone, I just bought my ticket and camping pass and I cannot wait to see you all for my SECOND TBF!!
I remember last year, my first year, I had a zillion questions and I would scour the message board to try to figure out as much as I could. I’m posting some things here that I wish I had known, or that at least offer some extra info. For those of us who travel to festival alone, I know that having as much information as possible going in can make it less scary.
I camped in Mary Ilium and I loved how it let me kind-of get away from the busy bustle of the festival from time to time. It’s quiet and very outdoorsy but still a definite community. I wholly recommend finding some shade to pitch your tent - the afternoon sun can be brutal and sometimes it’s nice to return to a cool tent to take a nap. There’s plenty of shady areas in Mary Ilium.
You can park your vehicle near your campsite until Wednesday/Thursday (at least you could last year) even if you do not have a vehicle pass. This makes it easy to set up and then drive into town to pick up groceries and bring them back if you arrive on Tues or Weds. I hauled my food and beverage from home but this year I’m just going to buy it in town when I arrive and bring it back to my tent.
The weather can change dramatically several times each day. Cool crisp air would quickly morph into blazing sunny afternoon then a monsoon would roll in and then it would be frigid cold. I learned quick to take all kinds of clothes in my backpack to the Festival grounds in the morning because it is kinda a pain to take a bus back and forth to Ilium. Sometimes the bus lines can get really long.
Hats! I learned the hard way how important a hat is. I was one cooked bird after the first day of music! Also good: a mister or spray bottle filled with ice water to help cool you down.
Binoculars! There’s not a bad seat anywhere at the festival, but binoculars really enhanced my Festival experience when I wasn’t close enough to see the performers very well.
Most of all, I think anyone who is perusing this message board, wondering if they should just go ahead and buy a ticket to this Festival, YOU SHOULD. And maybe you think, “Well, I can’t go alone” or “I can’t go alone my first time” just take it from me, YOU CAN and YOU SHOULD. I met some of the best people in the world last year and I can’t wait to go again. A LOT of people go to TBF alone and the great thing is, you can keep to yourself if you want (sometimes I just like to bliss out to live music for hours by myself) but you can also just go up to people and ask to share a corner of their tarp and in a few minutes, you’ve got a new friend. Festival people are the most laid back, happiest people around and while there are some grumps, you should know that for the most part you will be among most kind-hearted people and it will do your soul a world of good. You may arrive alone but you won’t be lonely for a second.
I will try to post some more tips/suggestions/thoughts for newbies as I think of them and if anyone else has thoughts to share, please do! The nice people on this board really did make all the difference in my deciding to go last year.
I wish I could add something useful, but I can’t! You nailed it Amber :thumbsup
I was also a loner newbie last year, and would not have survived without these kinds of tips I managed to glean on the forum and all the happy helpful people on here :cheers
I just want to emphasize: there is absolutely NO GOOD REASON not to go to TBF alone! As long as you have clothing for all manners of weather and a wide-brimmed hat, you’re good!
You’ll find food, drink, friends and of course fantastic music once you get there! :wave :hug
Honestly, last year I was a young British girl going to her first bluegrass fest, on her first trip to the US, alone, and coming to TBF was the BEST decision I ever made IN MY LIFE! :flower
Don’t miss out, don’t hesitate, DO IT! :thumbsup :thumbsup
Amber, YOU ROCK LADY! and for all those that are wondering about Lalagay’s first year… she found a band mate… for life.
My first year I drove from South Florida to Denver and did the “Ride Share” from there to Telluride with Semicharmed (Hi Auntie Anne! :wave ).
Year Two: flew to Denver. I’ll NEVER forget Adam playing “Big Country” on banjo, at the curb in the arrivals area, at DIA. :rock Freaking PRICELESS!!! Well, how else was Dave supposed to know who he was picking up! :lol
This is another wise option for Newbies (especially Flat landers, i.e., have never seen and/or driven in the Rockies), the “Driving Hook-Up”.
There is a “Ride Share” section on this forum. Festivarians love Newbies and you might be shocked at how many offers you get in response.
Check it out! It’s awesome! Which also reminds me of year three…
[i][b]TIP: The police between Grand Junction, Colorado and Telluride really love their work and they are VERY good at their work. :flight
Obey the speed limit and have enough money for those festival treats or t-shirts that you’re really, really going to want to take home![/b][/i]
ok, i’m a newbie and was thinking of going to TBF but was feeling chicken and didn’t want to go solo but i was reading around the forum and read this post and just bought my tix!
i’m kinda wondering about camping solo and haven’t got my camping pass yet-looks like there aren’t a ton of spots left? thoughts from the seasoned vets? i know there are ride share places but are there any camp share/condo share type deals?
Good on you for getting your tickets and going solo! :thumbsup
That is, solo only till you get to the fest/campground, or according to Hope’s post, probably earlier than that back in TN! :eek :lol :lol
In case you hadn’t figured this out yet, once you joined this forum, you’ve blown your chances of being alone :lol :lol :lol
As for camping or condo, go for camping, definitely! Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also the best place for late night jamming, all those special and unique festimoments with all your new festifriends… You don’t want to miss out on the fun! In a condo, you’ll meet 10 people, in a campsite, the possibilities are infinite!
When it comes to camp share, that almost comes with the deal, well it does in TP anyway from my experience. Just get there, find a spot, meet your neighbors, nothing is more likely than they’ll welcome you into their group! :cheers
Man, the first year is just unforgettable…
As Tom says, the ABGAT Team get there as early as June 5th! If you have the time to do it, do it!
I got there on the Monday of the week of the Fest last year, and it was just about perfect, well, when it comes to Town Park in any case.
Not sure what the schedule for the other campsites is.
Getting there on Monday allowed me to meet everyone, sit in on some awesome late-night jams, organize some awesome pre-fest activities (pyjama breakfast anyone? :flower), not miss out on all the crazy Town Park Festifun basically. :cheers
Also, there was some pre-fest music happening in Mountain Village on the Wednesday, seeing the Greencards and the Lovell Sisters up close was great! :thumbsup
Yep, there’s definitely lots going on in Telluride before the official show kicks off, and getting there early means you know your way about, where the stores/ATMs/portajohns are located, and get excited when they start doing the main stage sound checks!
:thumbsup 
