Hi everyone. I hate to bring up a tired thread but has the time that PB folks hand out the line numbers changed over the years? What time do they hand out the numbers? Do they hand out numbers more than once during the night/morning? What is the advantage to lining up at 4:30am if the PB folks don’t give out numbers until 6? Thanks!
Thanks Billy! So from what I can gather…as long as I’m in line by 5:45-6:00am Ill get a number. Then a new line is formed with the number you were handed. But the gates don’t open until 9 or 10am on Thursday correct? So with time between, if you have a number, can you leave, go back to the campground or condo and come back 10 minutes before 9 and get your designated spot in line and run in? Thanks for the help!!!
Yes, once you have a number, you can go back to camp or your condo. I’d recommend getting back 10-15 minutes before the gates open to make sure you get to your spot in the tarp run line, though.
Thank you Sugar! So 2 more questions then I think I’ll understand 
Can I have a person or more than one person help run in with me, under my designated number when the gates open or does only one person get in per number? And how may numbers does PB typically hand out before the general public tarp line starts? Thanks all!! :cheers
One number admits one person with one tarp. If you want someone to help, then you’ll need two numbers. Several of the camps will have more than one person stay in line over night so they can run multiple tarps. As to how many numbers they hand out, I don’t know.
Does 500 numbers sound right? I think that is correct, but perhaps someone from PB can confirm.
is there a limit on the size of the tarps?
As someone who’s never waited in the tarp line, I’m curious if the numbering is ordered by first come first served or is it randomized (ala “latter day Ticketron policies”)?
If you’re old enough to recall sleeping outside overnight for tickets @ Ticketron outlets, you’ll remember that at one point (I think early 90’s) they made it so as you pulled a number out of bucket or what not at like 7 or 8am … effectively shuffling the deck to discourage the extreme behavior & level the playing field a bit.
At Telluride the numbers are chronological. For RockyGrass they are randomized because line logistics at RG change the picture a little.
You asked of tarp size and that is 5 X 7 .
The systems works well and many will sleep overnight, many forgo the last band to get a place in line (not how I want to spend my money, I like to SEE the bands). If you get a number you should get a decent space for the shows. Scope out where you want to sit before the festival opens and practice walking swiftly
we have “runners” and we have everyone else as the “pack mules” with chairs and blankets.
I hope this helps…
It is all part of the fun!
Thanks Bevin. I suspected this was the case, but wasn’t sure.
At risk of getting the virtual “stink eye” from those who are in favor of the status quo, I believe randomization of numbers for Telluride could be one of the best policy changes regarding tarps which could be implemented. Logistical issues aside, I believe a “quasi GA” sitation ought not be a competition which rewards the hardiest, best system, or greatest numbers in their crew. IMO, music by nature is a non-competitive endeavor and access to such via GA ought not be treated as such … or at least mitigated in a reasonable way.
I guess I’ve come full circle, since 20 years ago I was opposed to randomization measures.
5 x 7? Is that measured in YARDS cuz up close there ain’t no 5 x 7 FEET tarps.
My thoughts exactly FaceOnMars. I could not have said it any better. Why not discourage sleeping in line by handing out randomized numbers early in the morning? (I actually thought this were the case)
Seems about right to me. I had a 485 last year, but never anything over 500. I was in Mt. Village last year, so 7:20 was the earliest I ever got in line, and I got a number every day.
the dreaded ‘tarp line’ thread returns . . . .
“Dreaded”? It just means we’ve gone over the precipice, and moved from “anticipation” to “preparation”
:lol :lol :lol :wave
See y’all soon!
or is it perspiration. I’ve seen the numbers go over 500, fer shigidy.
Good to know as this will be our fist time staying up the Hill and I was wondering how to deal with the situation; or if it would even be possible to deal with it, Tarp wise that is.
So I won’t ressurect the thread I started a few years ago about kids selling their #s to other folks standing in line then. 