Been to TBF before and lucky enough to get TP passes; however, did not arrive the weekend before for the land rush. Well lucked out again with TP passes (as did our crew…yeah!) and trying to make plans early this year, considering coming in for said land rush and was wondering how it all works… Does a line form like the tarp rush during the festival? Do you get numbers or is it a free-for-all? I think it opens at noon the Sat prior to the festival correct? Any and all info would be much appreciated!
It opens at 8:00 AM the Saturday before festival, and a line forms at both ends of Bear Creek Preserve. It is a free for all, but try to respect the veteran camps when trying to get your spot. Ask around and you’ll be welcomed with open arms. :flower
I likened it to a “Gentleman’s Land Rush” once before, somewhere out there. The “traditional camps” or Vet camps as mentioned, are the larger camps that put on the big pre-fest parties. You really don’t want to take their spaces and ruin the pre-fest fun for everyone.
There are those that do RUN into Town Park on Saturday morning for areas in the rear of the preserve. Just let them run and then see if they might be folks you’d like to camp amongst. Pretty cool way to make new friends!
Looking forward to seeing you and yours during Pre-Fest!
Thanks for the info. I knew about the traditional/veteran camps and will definitely respect their space, and would never want to dampen any of the pre-fest fun. Just trying to make plans early and want to get the low down on how it all plays out for the land rush. How far does the rear of the preserve go? All the way back into the woods a ways before the incline starts up the mountain?
Town Park is located close to the stage and the jams are smokin at night after the last set till dawn .
Large camps hve made this fest home and have come for years and know the ropes of good festihood. The boys in the hood get their spots wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ahead of time but always welcome newbies to the camps and love to do so.
With lots of friendly food and drink, music and music even as you take a nap, you can hear the stage another plus.
Big fun and hard to get those gone in a wisk tickets that are lottoed out each year. Good spot to be in, great folks abound. Big fun. :flower Is it June yet :rolleyes?
I arrived on “opening day” in 2006 - but not early - maybe 1p-2p. Although fairly full, there where still a fair amount of spots for my large tent.
If you are looking to carve out a large area for 10 or more ppl, i’d say get there early. If it’s just a few, I wouldn’t kill myself trying to line up.
Also, don’t be afraid to cozy up to your neighbor. If you see a good spot that looks a little close to another tent - don’t be put off from taking it. Just strike up a conversation with your new neighbor and you may have a friend for life. I promise you - by Monday/Tuesday all the reasonable spots will be taken. If you’re late - you may be sleeping right next to the porta-johns.
One of the best sets ever was at 2 or so in the morning by Railroad Earth… just outside the Town Park Bath House! They went until 4 am or so and then wandered on over to Warner Field to play for the Tarp Line Folks. Unbelievable!
Was that last year? Cos I remember quite few awesome 2 am to 4 am jams by TP the bathrooms that we both enjoyed Hope! :thumbsup
That was another plus of our Hippo camping location, close enough to enjoy the jam until my eyes closed all by themselves, and then lulled to sleep by them in my tent a few meters away…
Ahhhhh I love town park… :love
I’ve got a question about tent placement as well. We wont be getting in until late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. Will there be room for us to put up a bigish sunshade (about 6 ft x 6 ft ish) and one large and one small tent? Or should we nix the sunshade and bring 3 small 2 man tents (one for gear)?
Are these numbered campsites you can drive in to or is a free for all like the baseball fields ? We won’t get there until Tuesday night or Wednesday either.