I probably won’t be participating in the tarp run but should I still bring a tarp to set up wherever we end up getting a spot or is it just pointless to try at that point?
Definitely bring a tarp… there will be plenty of space farther away from the stage and you’ll want to establish a spot to call your own. The tarp run is only for those who are really ambitious and want to get as close to the stage as possible, but there really isn’t a bad spot in the house 
Do you leave your tarp there for all four days or do you have to “re-establish” the homestead daily?
Re-establish each day.
Being a newbie, and not being in an organized commune, is there anyway I can get an invite to lounge with some group that has a dedicated tarp runner who secures a spot near the front? :green
Basically, the general rule of thumb is this: If you see free space on a tarp, your are welcome to occupy the tarp until the owners come back. IF they ask you to leave, kindly move along… Chances are you’ll just make a bunch of friends, especially if you come bearing ‘gifts’ :flower
Quantify “gifts” :band :green :green
A beer or two would suffice. :cheers
Got another ? on the tarp thing. Is there a size restriction or anything. I’m not rolling in with a baseball diamond rain tarp or anything but I’m curious if there’s a space restriction we should try to adhere to?
Not sure if there’s a technical limit here, but I’d say it’s all about respect for the space and the space you take up more than likely depends on how many folks are in your party, and also (possibly) on how close you plan to set up, since the closer spots will be more “prime real estate” I guess.
We’re coming with 10 people and usually set up at least two tarps, though we sit further back.
Any way you look at it, though, a large percentage of the people at TBF are friendly and will share space nicely (whether “theirs” or “yours”).
In short, to me it’s all about using what you need and leaving the rest for others.
Thanks!
so, if is just my wife and i checking out TBF for the first time just roll up with a compliant festival chair and hop on the edge of an open tarp? buying brews for accommodating folks is the least i can do. thanks to you guys for all the info. on this board.
Well that is so true! Sometimes these tarp meet n greets make long lasting friendships. Sometimes short term…
In theory, yes – though I would probably ask before I just sat down on someone else’s tarp
Seriously, though: All I’d recommend is that you remember that a lot of people who attend the festival are not members of this board and/or don’t wish to share the space they’ve staked for themselves; though the “tarp sharing” mentality would be a nice universal to have, I think it’s important to respect everyone’s wishes as such.
In other words, there could be any number of reasons that the space you see empty is not “extra” (e.g., I intend to ensure there is always space for my pregnant wife to lay down on our tarp if she’d like to; I know reserving that space as such is not totally in the Festivarian spirit, and I’m happy to let anyone sit there so long as they understand I might ask them to move at any minute, but I think it’s important to respect a balance of personal/communal space there!)
Perhaps this is an unfavorable attitude to take into the festival, but I think it’s relatively realistic!
Modification: If the tarp is completely empty of folks, its definitely in the Festivarian spirit to keep their seats warm, etc. – my above post was more about sharing space when people are already sitting there!
As for tarp running, yes, alliances are almost aways formed. I saw a kid on Craigslist who would be your tarp beeatch for $200 for the whole weekend. Now if we were a large party, say more than 16 of us (like years past) that would be sooooo worth it. But not to worry, you will get the hang of things early on. You could also volunteer to run for a groupo tarpet too. We really like people to volunteer to sit and run. Of course we bring them coffee, hot chocolate and breakfast burritos, bloody mary’s. Its kind of like their ‘last meal’ whatever they want, we bring it to our tarp-icon. One things for certain, you must be awake and present when the lotto official brings you a chit. The release of adrenaline happens simultaneously and all lines are allowed to enter slowly but surely, and then you have the annoying walk/run under their thumb, then finally all hell breaks loose and its neck and neck to the finish line.
You may want to learn the roll/fold one handed wrist snap hand off by practicing at home till you get the feel for it. Not much different from learning fly casting. But if you are known for this skill, peeple will ax you to run for their lives in the tarpeteria. And you will be treated like a sultan!
“Tarp” evokes an image of the blue plastic thing I’ve had crumpled up on the side yard of my house for the last five years. I’m not clear if these tarps y’all speak of are meant to refer to a specific type of object or merely intended as a catch-all term for blankets, canvas sheets, blue plastic thingys, etc. Could someone please clarify for those of us not so in the know?
TARPS! You’re right, it is subjective. Although I have few pictures of actual tarps, it is the blue, green and brown ones that come from sport stores, big lots, costco et al that are most popular. As for the canvas type, you will see those too, and some that are painted to look like forests or VW microbusses, quilts, blankets and then there might be the clear thick plastic too. Then there are ones that just aren’t justified like airline blankys, large trash bags (but make great ponchos in cloud bursts and you are camping in Illium and had to go to the hardware store on main street because you couldn’t bring yourself to stop at the WaLLmartian store on the way to T ta getcha one) and a few other ‘clever’ jobbies.
All in all, a tarp is a tarp. Ground Cover. ‘Something’ worth flinging. When the tarponrun commences and has used up the lotto numbers there will be plenty of space leftover for the ‘fest-of-us’.
There are classic videos on uTube that cover the tarponrun. Try Telluride Tarp Run search and it will give a good idea what the event looks like.
Thanks, but we’re not planning on competing, just wanted to know if our old blanket would somehow be out of place. Apparently not, good thing too we don’t want to be the ugly noobs…
{{{{{{{{{{{{{fellow non-competitors ALWAYS have a place}}}}}}}}}}}}}
… the elusive “front row” of always being where you’re at!!!
The reason for plastic tarps is it can rain and make a huge mess out of a blanket really fast.
So a blanket is fine , but the weather may not be.