I’m unspeakably excited to be joining all of you beautiful people for the first time this year! And in Town Park, no less!! I’m bringing my little brother and my best friend, both coming from South Dakota, for their first TBGF as well. My friend and I are 10-year festival veterans :thumbsup (just never TBGF), and my little bro has never been to a music/camping festival of any kind :eek
I plan on getting us to TP by Tuesday morning at the latest. Are there any pointers for someone who has been to many festivals - but never to TBGF - that might not be super obvious? I’ve read this WHOLE damn, glorious thread and picked up a lot of info, but more could never hurt.
I guess saying an age limit was a misspeak. I only discriminate good people from bad people, everyone on the left is alright with me
I would like to 2nd and 3rd a few of these other posts… Any suggestions for things to bring for a total noob? I’m arriving hopefully Wednesday evening and camping at the high school (barring any miracles for TP).
I was thinking backpack , blanket, low chair, food, … for things to have during the day. What am I missing?
sunscreen, refillable water bottle, cash, credit card, camera, hat, scarf or sarong to cover up if it is really sunny but you won’t be too hot, swimsuit if you want to swim in the pool or river, small towel. Okay that’ all I can think of for now. If you forget the sunscreen someone will have some or you can get it at the medical tent for a small donation.
The most important thing to remember is that you are at 9,000 feet elevation in The Rocky Mountains. At that elevation, the weather can and will change in a matter of minutes, so bring clothing for all weather. The temperature drops from hot to damn near freezing once the sun goes down. In my 7 years at this festival, I’ve seen rain, snow, hail, wind and just about everything else you can imagine.
SpacePanda, welcome to TBGF, its a great time and a great crowd. Last year was my first so here’s what I learned:
.Someone else already said this, but you will be at 9000’ in the Rockies. The air is thin, so think water (lots) and ease off on the beer and alcohol, at least for the first couple of days.
.When the sun goes down the temperature goes down even more. Bring warm clothes including long pants/jeans, a heavy fleece, windbreaker, and hat for the evenings. Last year my first night was around 35 degrees: with a sleeping bag rated to 20 degrees, 2 sleeping pads, long underwear, socks, and a hat I was still cold. I finally put my down jacket over me and got through the night. So bottom line, prepare for cold nights and dry, very sunny days (read: good hat, water bottle, and sunblock).
.Pace yourself! I have an obsession with getting to the music early in the day (read: 11:00 Am or whenever they start), hit most of the afternoon stuff and all of the evening stuff, and then go to NightGrass (events in local venues) after that, which run to at least midnight. Then wandering around, talking to friends, listening to picking, etc. So don’t feel like you have to see it all, cuz you can’t - but if you pace yourself kind of reasonable, you can see a whole lot.
.Have tons of fun! I know I already said it, but TBGF is a great festival and a bunch of great people.
Every good festivarian knows that TBF is a marathon, not a sprint. It doesn’t matter if you’re there 4 days or 14, you can’t sprint.
There’s nothing to add that isn’t in this thread somewhere. The things people say over and over are repeated because they’re important. I met one of our festifamily because I saw his legs sticking out his tent in the middle of the day, and I checked on him and found he was completely dehydrated and miserable. He wasn’t used to the elevation, and had a few beers and went for a little hike. A few hours of bad judgement and it wrecked his weekend.
Lots of us show up overprepared for a reason. We may not be overprepared, or we may be able to help someone that’s underprepared. If you find you need something in Telluride…just ask a smiling face, and someone can help you find what you need.
It’ll be the best damn month you ever pack into a weekend, I promise that
Never been to this festi before and I’m driving out from Portland, Oregon. I think I want to bring my dog as far as possible and then board her during the actual festival. Do they allow dogs in Town Park before the festival (and how long?). Any recommendations for where I could board her?
Once Planet Bluegrass takes over Town Park on Land Rush Saturday (June 13th this year) dogs will not be allowed into the campground. I know there are some boarders in town that others have used, but I wouldn’t know which ones to recommend.
Heya all,
I’ve been to TBGF many times…most recently in 2009. I have camped at Mary E and stayed with friends at a house in town but this year I scored Town Park camping passes in the lottery. Yay! I have a few questions about getting a camping spot. I won’t be able to leave Boulder until sometime on Wednesday so I will not be getting into TP until that evening…maybe late but hopefully while it’s still light. I realize this isn’t ideal but the friend I am coming with cannot get any more time off work.
My first question is whether it is acceptable to ask a friend who will be there earlier (Monday or Tuesday) to put a tarp down for me? I assume that they only release as many TP passes as people can fit in the campground but what happens to those that cannot get to Town Park until Weds night? I fear being stuck next to a porta-potty or something for 4 nights :eek
Also, I understand that I will be allowed to drive in to the campground to unload but I was not clear where the Town Park campers are permitted to park during the festival as I know there is generally no on-street parking in town during the festival. Is there another lot around there I’ve never seen?
As Swander said, having a friend put a tarp down for you is standard procedure. Most people recognize a tarp on the ground means that space is claimed, but your friend may have to remind a few people of that. It shouldn’t be too big a problem.
If your friend is putting down a tarp on Tuesday, the porta-potty adjacent land might be all that’s easily available. I’d recommend 1) earlier if possible, 2) ensure good rock coverage on the tarps (assume gale force winds), and 3) having them talk to neighbors to explain you’ll be getting in on Weds night. Folks will keep an eye on it.
TENT LAID OUT OR PUT UP is a better idea. :thumbsup
The truth is, once your tent is up your friends will not have to watch the space. Explain, beg, (then bribe) your friends to bring your tent up early. Explain that you don’t want to give them the extra burden checking that a “non or new” Festivarian has lifted the tarp laid for you and taken the space, while they were away from camp pre-festivating.
Hey guys! I’ll be attending Telluride for the first time ever this year AND I’ll be rolling solo. I know my way around a campground pretty well (I hit Delfest in Maryland several times). I guess I want to know where would be the best place to camp to meet good neighbors. Having trouble deciding between MARY E. ILIUM and LAWSON HILL.
Uhm, not sure if it matters… But I’m 28, no kids, and I’m hopefully going to 2/4 of the Nightgrass shows. Any advice helps! Thanks ya’ll!
Rode out to Lawson one evening and couldn’t believe the line waiting for the shuttle to take folks to Nightgrass. Flying solo is a misnomer. Nobody flies solo at TBF.
Just tell me you’ve read up on the high altitude experience you are about to have, are already packing great things to stay warm, stay dry & not get sunburn, are stoked beyond measure, and know how to scream…
I have not experienced Lawson, but Mary E is a great place full of friendly people. I imagine Lawson is just as friendly. The biggest decision is whether having trees for shade is worth the extra time spent on the shuttle. Lawson is closer to town, so the shuttle ride is shorter, but there’s no shade except what you bring yourself. Mary E is a ways outside of town which makes the shuttle ride longer, but it’s also full of trees making shade easy to come by.
