I am 63 and attending the Folks Fest alone and for the first time and I am not camping. I have a few questions which I do not find were ever asked and answered before on this community board.
After a 12 hour drive on Thursday I won’t be in the line that night to get a number. My first sight of the place will be Friday morning. I believe I will have to leave my car in a somewhat remote park in Lyons and travel to the festival grounds in a shuttle bus which I must assume is reliable and will accommodate folks carrying their chairs and lots of stuff. Here are my questions:
I plan to be in line for the tarp run when the gates open at 10:00 AM Friday. What time should I arrive to ride the shuttle and join the front part of that line? Will I first have to be in a different line somewhere Friday morning to get my wrist band and will that spoil my chances for being close to the front of the tarp line?
Is it acceptable to place my tarp and then leave the grounds and return later with my chair and stuff? If I was not interested in the earlier performers one day and waited to return when the last four or five start is that OK? I don’t want to have people mad at me one day for reserving a spot and then not sitting there all day long. I want to make friends.
Do I need to bring a flashlight to find my way out to the shuttle busses at night?
What size tarp should I use to reserve a place as a single person? What makes the best tarp? Do I need something relatively heavy that would not blow away in a rain storm if my chair is not on it?
If I decide I want to have a chance for a better spot Saturday by getting in the line for a number, is it customary for that line to assemble right after the concert ends Friday night? If yes, how late does the music usually end Friday and how many hours might I be sitting in the dark in that line before they hand out numbers? Do the shuttle busses still run that late after the numbers are handed out? I get too short of breath to walk with a chair and stuff for more than a few blocks…certainly not a mile or two.
I think I read in some blog a few years ago about a Pavilion on the festival grounds. Is there some Pavilion with some seats, and if so who performs there and when?
Will the festival web site ever post the performance times for each day or just continue to list who the group of performers are?
Depending on how “close” you are hoping to be I’d get over to the fest about 9 or 930am you will already be behind some because of the number lottery, but if you get in line after them you should still get a good spot. You will want to go to the box office at the front gate to get your wristband before getting in line.
You absolutely can place a tarp and leave. The tarp policy is if you see an empty spot you may occupy it until the owner returns and even then they will likely welcome you to stay. As you are travelling alone you may want to do this anyway rather than getting your own tarp as it is a wonderful way to make friends.
Flashlight likely not necessary if you are not camping but why not come prepared? I suggest a headlamp
Size tarp is up to you, as I said as a single you may want to float tarps. If you leave the tarp without something on it it could blow away. You also could possibly get away with just leaving your chair. No one will take it at Folks Fest
Number line starts at mid-night as a single this may not be necessary for you. Realistically it is a half mile from your tarp spot to the shuttle and vice versa. Shuttle will drop you off very near your car tho.
Wildflower pavilion has smaller more intimate shows the whole time, to my knowledge these have not been announced yet.
Times will be listed.
As a long time Folks Fest vet I say you have selected a wonderful adventure for yourself. I go with my whole Family at this point ages 8 to 65. kids, young adults and seasoned vets alike all have a great time.
As the festival draws near if you want to drop me a pm on here I could possibly be of more assistance and if you like you’d be welcome to share a spot on our group’s tarp at some point as we have line waiters and runners all set up.
Cheers! Nate Grant
Thanks very much Nate. I asked some silly questions perhaps but my last outdoor festivals were at the Newport and Philadelphia fests from 66 to 69 and then Woodstock and Watkins Glen with a few hundred thousand friends. I was a camper then but have no equipment to do that now. Since those days I’ve fed my folk music addiction with indoor venues and in recent years also on the Cayamo cruise. Just want to be sure I know the rules and customs for Lyons so I will fit in and have a great time. This community message board really helps and I am glad it exists instead of just a Facebook page.
Glad I asked about the Pavilion. It seems odd to me that the festival web site makes no mention of it that I have found since it sounds like a nice additional attraction for the fest. I will be interested to learn if the main stage acts perform there or if there are different performers booked for it.
Welcome to the Folksfest which to me is the closest thing to Cayamo that you can get on land. I love seeing the singers in The Wildlower Pavilion. Last year my two favorite singers in the entire festival played there. They were Ellis(Who will be on the main stage this year), and Amy Speace who a lot of folks lobbied for CayMo last year. I would love to see both of them on Cayamo. It’s great to sit in the Pavilion and still watch great entertainers , and also get out of the Sun or rain or whatever.
There is a small group of us on site seasoned campers that have formed a coop for running of the tarps, we always have plenty of extra room for you, just fold your chair down when you leave I would also bring a small tarp to cover up in case of rain- the show goes on- oh and rubber boots or shoes just for insurance, its happened
If you would like to join us you are very welcome. We’re from Texas, Sharon & Steve Chamberlain, we’ll be in the old red and white VW camper, call us and we’ll meet up. 817 360-0678
See you’re not alone you already have friends and you’re not even there yet, its that kind of place.