Hi, bringing a sunshade this year for first time.
Any size limit?
Does it have to be open on all the sides, or can it be semi tent-ish? (maybe 3 sided like some beach shelters I’ve seen on the web)?
About how early should I get in line to get a spot for it?
Thanks,
Lesley
These might answer your questions:
http://www.festivarian.com/index.php/topic,13725.0.html
http://www.festivarian.com/index.php/topic,15823.0.html
Some people use the Kelty shades, there are a lot of them set up, other folks bring EZ-Ups . . . They all go in the back. People get in line the afternoon before the next day, including those running to get sunshade space. There’s less space for sunshades than there is for tarps, so in some respects, it’s more premium space and it does get filled up pretty quick.
I would say no to one with sides, at least on the festival field. The problem with that is you completely block the view for your neighbors.
This makes me nervous – if I want a sunshade spot, will I have to get in line the night before?? This will be our first year trying for this type of space. We really want our 1.5 yr old to have some respite from the sun, but don’t have the resources to sleep in line. Can anyone advise here? We may need to revise our plan.
Z
Zack- If you just want space , you should be okay… If you want front row of the sunshade line, you may want to be in line so you get a number but wouldn’t say you need to stay all night… Another good option, may be to pack a little tiny tent , that can serve as baby shade , a toy tent and a nap tent… We got a little one from Walmart for around 14.00 ( that we used for years and years)… This is easily carried and had small footprint so you can still use if space gets very tight.
On the Town Park/Warner Field side, 5:00 AM gets you in the running for prime sunshade spots.
“On the Town Park/Warner Field side, 5:00 AM gets you in the running for prime sunshade spots.”
I assume if you have kids that need shade at the fest, you’re kinda up at or near 5:00 am anyway . . .?
My daughter sleeps until 7 and we don’t mess with that 
Thanks for the info everyone – we’re mostly in want of shade and plan to have a group up closer, as well, so we won’t sweat it too much. May bring the little tent, per Debbie’s rec, just in case.
Z
Those three-sided beach umbrella things are annoying as all get-out, because they block the view for everyone behind. Likewise a tent. Keltys are good because you can see through them, ez-ups even better (until people start putting up walls, etc.).
I wouldn’t mess with the kid’s sleep routine, either. You might not be in line to get a number, but you will be able to get a space somewhere in Kelty Village. Festivarians will provide…we always wind up with some visitors (often with kids) hanging out in our shade.
When I’m talking Baby tent, I’m talking about a little tiny tent- no more than 24 inches high… BUt, I agree the Kelty’s are annoying since they block every one’s view… EZ-ups or things that you can see through all side MUCH better
Agreed, re: 3-sided being super annoying. Among other things, they …
Bring a small baby tent to put between the larger Kelty sunshades. You still need to get a number to get in there (5am in Town Park/Warner Field is good advice).
Unfortunately, getting a spot for the larger sunshades is just as intense as the tarp run.
I’d love to see PB put up large “generic” tents for the public at large. There are a lot people with fair skin and/or skin cancer, families with children, elderly(or not), and people that overheat/sunburn. They all deserve to enjoy shade as needed without having this absurd “run”. IMHO…
In the town line. 4:30-5AM gets front row for sunshades (over the past 6 years).
:thumbsup :cheers
Hey Remeil
Don’t let any bah humbug types dissuade you… We’ll be there enjoying our three sided sun shade completely guilt free. As far as the ‘privatizing’ of general addmission spaces, I assume the accepted practice of occupying a vacant tarp space applies to sun shades as well. I actuallydon’t like the tarp system we have but that’s the culture and its not going to change.
If you can’t get up early enough to get a sunshade spot, and you are standing there with a miserable baby in need of shade, festivarians are going to be falling over themselves to offer you a spot to sit down. It is the best crowd in the world. You have nothing to worry about.
Also, a nice walk through some vendor tents right on the festival grounds gives some shade, the main souvenir tent is a nice big patch of shade, and there is a first aid tent in the corner where you can sit in the shade and I think they even have free bottled water and sunscreen (and whatever else you need).
and don’t forget the kids tents- family area… You will probably spend much time there anyway… It’s wonderfully , fun place for the little ones.
I can only assume that the situation has gotten worse, if folks are lining up the afternoon before. A couple of things and no we don’t have kids, so please take that into consideration and of course consider the source! Maybe consider not even taking your sunshade and instead make some friends and share their shade? Another suggestion, depending on if you want respite or actual rest for your toddler, is Family activity area, I believe there is some shade there, but not certain as to nap area, the downside is that you are away from the festival.
Good luck!
The Kealty syndrome has surpassed annoyance. Careful, don’t get caught being on a tarp up front and setting a shade spot in the back, cause for expulsion.
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The Kealty syndrome has surpassed annoyance. Careful, don’t get caught being on a tarp up front and setting a shade spot in the back, cause for expulsion.
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Seriously?? What’s wrong with that? Gotta have shade sometimes…I mean with the whole use a tarp if nobody’s there policy, why does it matter?