Any suggestions for a first-timer at Rockygrass?

[PrettyPolly]

Been wanting to go to Rockygrass for a long time and finally this year will be the first time!

How early in the day should I get there to get a decent spot?   
 

 Listening to: John Jorgenson & Herb Pedersen ~~~~ Doc & Merle Watson

[Lachlan]

The night before.  Seriously, to get a good spot (depending upon one's definition) you need to get a low number for the tarp line.  To get a number for the tarp line you must wait in the lineup entrance area the on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, starting just before midnight. It seems like you need to wait until the pumper truck finishes cleaning out all of the portapotties in the whole campground before the kind folks come walking down the line handing out numbers.  Low number = better choice for a prime tarp spot.  High number/no number = take what you can get once you get inside.  It's an extremely friendly festival, and sitting close to strangers only lasts a few minutes, as they'll be your good friends by the second set.  Have fun! 

[Powderglut]

Pretty Polly are you coming by yourself? or with just one other? You can pretty much disregard the tarp lineup lottery numbers if you're on your own. You see a piece of green grass between a tarp anywhere, and the spot is yours. That easy. Now.... if you're with a group then you will have to play the night lottery numbers game. Other wise.. you get the leftovers for placing your tarp.
You can get in line in the AM and find a spot for your chair, like I said.. any spot of green grass between a tarp. In the shade, in the middle, front row your choice. That is if you are on your own. Once your chair is down you can leave and come back and claim your spot any time.
We toss down a fairly large tarp for our group and always end up with new visitors on it every day. You can also use anyone else's tarp any time as long as they are not there. It is a very friendly atmosphere.

[skyrunner]

Where were you looking for a good spot at? Campgrounds or festival grounds? There really are not any better spots that anywhere else. Especially after you meet your new festi-neighbors for the weekend.