What's this tarp business?

Hey guys!

I bought tickets and camping passes for Mary campground yesterday and saw a video about tarp running. Can someone please explain this to me? I’m not likely to get up at 6 am to get in line. Also, the campground faqs says “first come first serve” does that mean that if we arrive on Wed we won’t get a spot even though we have tickets? I am so super excited to attend!

First of all…do not panic. The tarp run is for those of us who want a close-up spot or our “favorite” spot. Even if you don’t get in line for the tarp run at the buttcrack of dawn (or at sunset the day before??) there will still be space, but it will just be in the back. Still good spots sound-wise. Or be friendly with someone up closer and you will probably be welcome to share their spot.

As for camping, I’ve never stayed at Mary E but if it’s anything like Town Park then there will be spots available but don’t expect a vast expanse of land for a huge family tent. And again, be friendly and you are guaranteed to be welcomed into the area.

I’ve stayed in Mary E twice and arrived Tuesday night both times. There is still plenty of room. You may not get a primo spot complete with big shade tree and fire ring, but you will get a spot.

:wave You don’t have to camp out in the tarp line all night (some do) to get space, but it’s a good idea to have a tarp runner in the line before the gates open. Then at least you’re in the battle for a space you like! I’m a “buttcrack” of dawn liner-upper and that sets us up very nicely. Sleep is not mentioned in my copy of “Festivarian for Dummies” from Hippie’s Ultimate Pack List. Tarp Sharing is tho, so team up with someone like me who goes on FestivaaalAutoPilot for the week. I love sharing tarp! :flower

Aww…look how utterly sweet you all are! Makes me even happier. We are just 2 chicks going, so hoping some fine gentlemen will succumb to our charms and offer us tarp seating. Thanks again everyone!

:flower

Hello! You are always welcome to share a tarp with us!

:cheers

OK! That was easy :wink:

Trying to PM you and the captchas are not working… :huh

Here’s a youtube link to a Tarp Run clip. The first minute is pretty nice fluff, from the stage, and starting at 2:05 there’s some great shots of the honey pots!

From there on, well… prepare to be on the computer for a while. :evil There’s tons of links to more video from TBF!

Enjoy!!! :cheers

—> TARP RUN VIDEO <—

Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green

It’s me and my buddies first time with this whole tarp business as well, but you bet we’ll be up at sunrise, and anyone is more than welcome to dance on our tarp with us!

Also, once the sun goes down & later on into the night, people kind of condense toward the front … as folks leave for the evening & simply the whole GA mode kicks in a bit more. I’m sure there are some fundamentalists on either side of the line … but typically just respecting others goes a long way & bluegrass is generally great with this.

i was really curious about this part of the tarps. I’m alright with sitting down during the day and relaxing while listening to some sweet tunes, but once it gets dark… I’m not gonna step on anyone’s tarp, but if Yonder’s playing…

I’m totally down with the late night shenanigans! Add me to your Facebook fellow newbies and let me know where you are camping. http://www.facebook.com/Lara.Miller1

Cheers!

Lara

Awesome video!!!

Careful what you wish for… and keep an eye out for those ‘boys’ willing to help you find a place on the tarp…

Hooch will shove bacon and/or crunchy frog down your throat…
DukTapeMan will try to take advantage of you (he’s a perv)…
Hippie Jerry will offer you candy…
Blaze (DTM’s horse) will steal your stuff…
Telluride Tom will give you beer or a late night martini…
CSI-Mike and Billy Beru will give you tarp folding lessons…

…then there’s Rumballs, the TikiBar, The Dome, shit show, etc., etc…

…and that’s before the festival begins…

Careful what you wish for… and keep an eye out for those ‘boys’ willing to help you find a place on the tarp…

Hooch will shove bacon and/or crunchy frog down your throat…
DukTapeMan will try to take advantage of you (he’s a perv)…
Hippie Jerry will offer you candy…
Blaze (DTM’s horse) will steal your stuff…
Telluride Tom will give you beer or a late night martini…
CSI-Mike and Billy Beru will give you tarp folding lessons…

…then there’s Rumballs, the TikiBar, The Dome, shit show, etc., etc…

…and that’s before the festival begins…
[/quote]
Great…NOW you tell me!

Great…NOW you tell me!
[/quote]
Yer screwed, Useless!!!

And Mel, I’ve never heard you complain about my bacon and Crunchy Frog…probably because you were gagging.

gagging…on what??? :evil

Let’s see…IN for all of those and more. Especially frog-bacon goodness and people stealing my stuff.

Whoa! And Billy B goes there!! I was waiting to see who would take it to the gutter. Thank you Billy.

Of course it had to go there - I’ve seen Mel drink numerous Crunchy Frog shots and not once did she gag. Of course I can’t say I’ve witnessed her with your bacon…