***NEW*** Car line procedure/ rules for the onsite camping before RockyGrass

The new rules for onsite camping line-up prior to RockyGrass can be viewed on our website.

Please visit the following link:

RockyGrass Line procedure

Scroll down to the “On-Site Camping Line Policy” section.

:cheers

D.

really?!!

PB is going to charge us $40 to line up?!!! :huh

having to do the line thing for everything is the worst part of the festival experience at Lyons - a necessary evil I guess… but what a bad way to extract more money out of the patrons without providing any more value. It smacks of bait and switch to be told of this now. That effectively makes the onsite vehicle pass now $120.

I suppose this will be the plan for folks fest too?

“Oh it ain’t so funny It you ain’t got the money In moneyland”

the new policy make sense, and I think is necessary, it discourges people from lineing up 2 weeks early and just leaving there vehcle unattended the time it’s in line. It’s a small price to pay to ensure a fair place in line…
Thanks PBG… :cheers

“the new policy make sense, and I think is necessary, it discourges people from lineing up 2 weeks early and just leaving there vehcle unattended the time it’s in line. It’s a small price to pay to ensure a fair place in line…
Thanks PBG… Cheers”

It does none of that stuff. It’s a fee and it merely pushes those who are willing to pay 40, instead of 0 or 10 to the front. There is no more incentive to be “by your car” and there’s no way to police that. There is stuff to do in Lyons and money to spend so people wander around.

If you set a time, there does not need to be a fee. Clear the field at 9am and tell 'em to come back at 3 or whatever. Everyone goes to different spots anyway, but this is the culture and the size of the field. It’s not ‘bad’ to do abgat. Don’t fine the most enthusiastic festivarians. it’s lame.

respectfully.

Does this mean that you can leave your car unattended if you pay $40?

I suppose this will be the plan for folks fest too?

I would be surprised, since it’s not a festival that sells out. Half the problem is those wanting to wait that early in line!

Just to let everyone know, the line-up area is owned by the Town of Lyons. In the past, they have been willing to “look the other way” when people began lining up before we our lease for the property began. But, in recent years the line has started on Sunday for the entry on Thursday and they would like to be compensated for that.

This will not be a windfall for Planet Bluegrass. We will probably break even after we pay the Town & hire staff, dump the trash etc. This is just about paying the Town for the use of their land. If you don’t want to pay it, just show up anytime on Thursday.

Also, before we had the line, we tried to just set a time when people were allowed to line-up and it created a “line to get in line” and a dangerous situation when the gates were opened.

Laura
on Planet Bluegrass

I don’t see that it is unreasonable at all, having worked for various city governments I can understand it. Enough about that though.

I would like to know more about the designated areas for high-backed chairs, as it is really hard for me to get in/out of, or more specifically, UP from, the low-backed ones. Would I need a tarp also if I want to bring in a regular aluminum high-back chair? Can you maybe post some sort of diagram or map of the grounds that would indicate where those areas are? That would be a huge help. Thanks so much.

Yes you just beat me to it Cindy Lou, a map of the grounds and facilities in advance would be great :thumbsup

Ok, I think we really need some clarification on the policy, since I think there are some issues for tent campers:

It seems that if you have a VW Bus / RV / etc you can get in line early, pay your fee, and then hang out for the week while sleeping in your normal traveling bed. Now since no tents are allowed in line, if you are a tent camper then you either have to figure out how to sleep in a car packed with all of your gear or…??

One might interpret this to be a huge slight against all of the tent campers. Remember, we have to wait in the same line even though we camp behind the stage in the no vehicle area. (and usually find that the spots are mostly blocked off by the time we get there anyway)

Anyone have thoughts on this?

Interesting point, guru.

Explain to me (others may know this, but I’m surprised this is an issue) how you usually wait in the line to get onsite…

Do you not usually have your car with you? I’ve never noticed individuals walking in the line as the police/ crew escort the line from Olsen to onsite on Thursday evening.

In the past, I’ve pitched my tent behind my car in line so I’d be a little more comfortable. Sleeping in a car for a couple nights can lead to a stiff neck or a sore back, especially at my age. :wink:
I’ve considered buying a camper for my new truck just so I won’t have to sleep in the drivers/passengers seat. :eek

Explain to me (others may know this, but I'm surprised this is an issue) how you usually wait in the line to get onsite....

Do you not usually have your car with you? I’ve never noticed individuals walking in the line as the police/ crew escort the line from Olsen to onsite on Thursday evening.

To be honest, we usually just get there early on Thursday…and even being in the first 150 cars or so, it seems there are always more spots “taken” behind the stage that one would imagine possible.

This year, we have a member of our camp who is unemployed and was willing to tough out a few days in line for us in hopes of easier setup on Thursday - but if he can’t setup a tent, we’re basically screwed. We always have a vehicle in line with us (packed to the gills with instruments and gear)…

Also, can you clarify - are folks required to stay with their vehicles during the week? (I would assume so, otherwise folks who live nearby could easily just dump an extra car in line on Sunday and call it good…that would seem contradictory to the Festivarian spirit).

Thanks -

we usually just get there early on Thursday...and even being in the first 150 cars or so, it seems there are always more spots "taken" behind the stage that one would imagine possible.

participants of Rocky grass Academy Camp on the festival grounds during the academy ( the week before the festival). If they have on site camping for Rocky grass Festival, they do not have to move their camp on Thursday. If they do not have on site camping passes for the festival they have to vacate their spots to make space for those who do. I think these are the “taken” spots you are referring to. :cheers

I was actually told by a PB staff member (actually, there’s is a post on the forums: http://www.festivarian.com/index.php/topic,4708.msg32677.html#msg32677 ) that you can only camp in the front area and not in the behind the stage area for the Academy…so it’s still a mystery to me.

Say, if your going to the academy you will need to camp in the academy part of the campground. Classes are held backstage during the academy. If you want to relocate your camp backstage for the fest, you can do so at 6:00pm on thursday after the acadamy is over.

It’s true.

However, those that wish to move do line up in the back in order to make a “rush” on those spots as well.

We do make them wait till the first couple of waves of car line folks have gotten in, though.

they do not get preferred treatment…or they at least get less than the RGA folks who get to stay where they are.

I’m not trying to solve the mystery, just letting you know how it works. :flower

isn’t Bohn Park a campground? No tent next to the car? Is this part of the lease with Lyons? We’ll all be too stiff to boogie when Friday rolls around. Maybe I can sleep on my hood with a “do not disturb” sign on my big toe. Also, we can camp behind the stage? I just always thought that was a friends/family of bands and PB area. Might have to check that out.

Can anyone from PB answer my original questions:

  1. What are the final thoughts on having a tent by the car for those of us without RVs or vans?

  2. Do folks need to stay with their vehicle throughout the early drop off time? ( I mean not just drop off a car over the weekend)

Thanks…

yeah, if we have to stay with our cars the WHOLE time, does that mean no oskar blues or local stores etc. i’m spending my 30th by myself in line and was hoping have a few at oskar’s.