I have kind of a little suggestion. I keep remembering the big mud puddle in and around the water station. Would filling in some of the holes (or the entire area) with sand be in the realm of possibility’s? The sand would allow the water to soak into the ground while keeping us from walking in the mud. Just because I choose to walk around bare-foot, not all festivarians enjoy muddy feet or shoes. I know this seems to be an ongoing problem. But would sand help? Would the town of Telluride allow the festival to do this?
Convert a couple of the existing spigits with drinking fountain attachments - I think it’d go a long way to mitigate this issue. They’re probably cheap too, probably cost less than the increase for a single 4-day.
Two years ago they had gravel in this area and I felt it was the perfect solution. Much better than dirt or sand, even. There was no mess involved. I was quite disappointed to see them go back to dirt this past summer.
Wow. One whole mud puddle. The festival’s gone down hill. It’s over… :huh 
:rolleyes
We really are spoiled by the Planet. Of course, I guess tending to details such as a solitary mud puddle is how a festival earns top honors from Pollstar. :medal
Go to east coast festivals (heck, rewatch Woodstock) and at times you’ll see the ENTIRE field as one giant mud pit (and that pit smells like shi*). I know, I’ve seen it first hand at DelFest.
So, as Mr. Wolf would say to Travolta’s character in Pulp Fiction “Pretty please, with sugar on top, fix the ****** mud puddle.” 
Even worse at those other fests: $3 to $5 bottles of water for sale.
CJ, you’ve solved the problem! No more free water = no more mud puddle. Private Gump, you are a GENIUS! 
and when you buy those $5 bottle of water they take the top off of it because they are afraid you will throw it.
Apparently that will not be a problem because people are too busy throwing marshmallows :evil
You’re right, Billy, we are spoiled by this incredible festival. In fact, one of my favorite things about this festival is that The Planet welcomes our input in addressing problems, no matter how small, and I do believe the mud pit by the water station is a problem. Thankfully, it’s a small problem and one that could be easily fixed, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be addressed.
In the immortal words of Sgt Ulka, aka the Big Toe, from Stripes, “Lighten up, Francis.”
(translation: some light hearted humor, Mr. Former Professional Comedian)
You call that humor? Oh Billy, Billy, Billy. Leave that to the former professionals.
Yes, I do, but I am referring to this.
Would you hurry up and get your degree?
Well said. Cant wait to see the full lineup
Very tricky to fill a squirt gun over a mud puddle now that you mention it. :flower But hey free water is a very good thing.
Sorry I didn’t mean to sound like I was trying to diminish any part of TBF. The fact that a mud puddle at the FREE water station is even considered a problem is proof positive that the Telluride Bluegrass Festival really is the best festivals on the face of the earth. Pollstar got it right and we knew it all along. :cheers
Agreed with keeping things in context re: free water … in fact there’s a total lack of upselling at TBF compared to what’s going on now in the festival/music world - which I believe has gotten out of control. It’s truly a nice thing to see the TBF continue on its current trajectory.
It’s crazy!!! I went to Lockn the first year and still get their email updates. The various VIP options are out of control!!! One is a $1,200 package. Who the hell would want to spend that on a 4 day music festival? And you are still camping! (Oh yeah and water is NOT included)
Not really a festival, but the ticket package options for The Fare Thee Well run are ridiculous! It’s the same company CID. I was so excited about this run, but I am not even sure if I will be able to go. Seeming to be more about one last money grab than the music, makes me sad.
Thank you Planet Bluegrass for keeping it classy!
I’ll explicitly second your notion of thanking PB for keeping it classy!
I’m also a bit turned off by what the Fare The Well run has turned into regarding the upsell, but at the same time am “over it” and will simply roll with things at this point in the game. If I get tix, I’ll go; however, won’t be traveling to Chicago without tix to at least two days.
My understanding is that once the band agrees to their lump sum guarantee and percentage after a certain threshold of sales, they’re kind of out of the picture as far as decisions re: pricing & packages, etc. … which is controlled entirely by the promoters.
My suspicion is that it was a minor miracle to get all the core 4 band members on the same page … and the current end result is probably a product of “mediation of the band members’ interests by the promoter”.
IOW, while it has the appearance of a “cash grab” and certainly incorporates elements thereof (upselling the heck out of this), and I’m sure the core 4 will gladly accept their cut of the action, I still believe there’s a part of each of them (to various extents) which is doing this for the right reasons. They are still brothers and the music will always be in their blood.
Getting back to the TBF being virtually (if not entirely) “upsell free”: this can’t be understated enough! In fact, it’s quite an anomoly these days and perhaps might serve as an example to other festivals how the vibe can be affected in a positive light. It’d be great to see the current upsell trend countered with a “no-vip zone” sort of stamp of approval … possibly gaining traction with other festivals.