Tarp run policy for shade tent spots?

[Nutella]

First, I want to say that we had a great time at TBF.  The music was amazing, and Planet Bluegrass throws the most pleasant and well-organized festival ever.  Our experience was overwhelmingly positive.

Here's my policy question for next year: Is it required that those seeking a spot for their shade tent do the tarp run with their shade tent, or is a tarp sufficient to temporarily hold a spot in the shade section?

The reason I ask is that we had no problems with our runner using a tarp to secure a spot for our shade tent each morning, until Sunday's run.  Our runner ran out, selected a spot behind the line, and was laying out the tarp when he was approached by a Planet Bluegrass employee (or volunteer?) who told him he'd have to pack up and leave, as tarps are not sufficient to hold spots for shade tents. He was told he should have done the run with the tent, if he wanted a tent spot.

Seems like this was a policy change on the last day (or maybe just being enforced for the first time?), and it was a bummer to give up that spot.  Several of our shade-tent neighbors lost their spots too, so we were not the only ones expecting a tarp to be acceptable.

So what's the deal?  Should we expect to run with shade tents in tow next year?

[rubysue300]

We also experienced this, but were able to keep our spot because the tent bearer came right after our tarp was laid.
The PB person we spoke to said the policy change was because there were complaints that there were many empty tarps without tents in the shade tent area throughout the festival day.

We are always in the shade tent area and we have NEVER seen empty tarps without tents on them.  Has anyone else seen this?

Sure, there are a few small gaps between the Keltys because they are odd shapes, but no completely empty tarps.

I'm wondering if there isn't some confusion because some of the people with tents on the front line also lay out tarps in front of their tents for the kids to play on or for overflow of guests.  These tarps are technically in the high back chair area, but maybe some people think these empty tarps are part of the shade tent area and lodge complaints. ??

IMO, trying to do the tarp run with a shade tent can be hazardous for the one carrying it and for others.

[HuckinFappy]

My complaint (unspoken) was more with people who set up improperly and then vanish for hours.   I think it was on Saturday, when Kelty's started flipping over and blowing around, with nobody present to tfix them.  I started taking them apart if they had flipped over, before someone got hurt.

[AnythingAtAll]

There was definitely a change in policy for Sunday.  It was communicated to some degree on the camp side of the line, but resulted in much head-scratching. If there were tarps with no shades, they must have been in the vast minority as I didn't notice them.  In my opinion, the Sunday run idea needs to be re-thought.

It is certainly appropriate that shades be set up within a reasonable amount of time ( like 30 minutes or whatever time that may be deemed to be) and spots could be forfeited if this is not done.

However, running EZ-ups through the "chutes" before handing off your number card or running with EZs/Keltys is just plain dangerous.  It's difficult enough getting EZs through the chutes as support after the number runners have already gone.  I see no reason why tarps can't be placeholders for a reasonably short period of time.

Planet, please choose reason, common sense and safety on this one.  They always do, so I'm confident that by next year, they'll get this kink worked out.

[meanderingjeeper]

It used to be that nothing was allowed in the first 50 numbers but tarps.  This year I saw people with cart loads of stuff coming in from the town line in the first 30 people.

This year was fairly squeezed in the sun shade area too.  Not sure if it was a result in the area size going down or just more sunshades.  Sure was plenty of room back there in the sitting area every day, esp behind the soundboard tower.  Thursday had a path right in front of the sunshade area that was sure nice to have.

I had no issue running our Kelty this year.  With great assistance on the number front, I was able to get in & up with no problems (except for the 'spring' that appeared in the middle of the sunshade area Thursday).  It seemed like every day we had the same people next to us and behind us, much like every year.  Do wonder where the people from Chicago that always sit in the area in front of our sunshade were this year....


 Listening to: wrrrrrrrrrr of a fan

[Bevin]

Changing the tarp run rules on the 4th day of Festival, with 2 minutes warning before gates opened, was very awkward.  I expect more organization from the PB security crew, as a rule. 

Dropping a rule change on us at the last minute to address a perceived problem was not necessary and resulted in a last-minute scramble that could have created more problems than it solved. 

Let's try to get this straightened out before next year.  If we need special rules for the sun shade area, let's discuss this in advance, rather than having PB staff and volunteers make up and amend the rules as we go. 

[Nutella]

Bevin, I agree with your whole post - thanks for stating it so plainly.

PB folks, please don't require us to run with shade tents.  Maybe it's ok for keltys, but EZ ups are way too unwieldy, and require 2 people to pitch them.  I like the solution posted by AnythingAtAll: allow tarps to be used as a placeholder for 30 minutes.  If tents aren't pitched within that time, the space can be used by others.

The complaint about empty tarps in the shade area puzzles me.  We were in the shade area each day, and I never saw empty spots.  Some folks did lay tarps down directly in front of the shade tent line, and then the marker sign got moved around, so maybe it was a misunderstanding about where the section began.

[Bevin]

The complaint about empty tarps in the shade area puzzles me. 

I witnessed a number of unusual complaints this year, including people very distraught over the "crowded" campground. 

[landshark]

No one person or group owns tarp/shade space. If it is there and you want to sit and no one is, go ahead, sit, relax and chill.
This simple concept, if followed will eliminate all this fuss. I am not sure why folks don't just sit their floppy butts down, anywhere and everywhere
Run schmun, sit.

[Hot Sugar]

No one person or group owns tarp/shade space. If it is there and you want to sit and no one is, go ahead, sit, relax and chill.
This simple concept, if followed will eliminate all this fuss. I am not sure why folks don't just sit their floppy butts down, anywhere and everywhere
Run schmun, sit.

Tarp hopping is fantastic, but if you have a large group or a family, it's not always feasible. It can be difficult to find a spot for 4+ people during some of the higher demand shows.

[landshark]

No one person or group owns tarp/shade space. If it is there and you want to sit and no one is, go ahead, sit, relax and chill.
This simple concept, if followed will eliminate all this fuss. I am not sure why folks don't just sit their floppy butts down, anywhere and everywhere
Run schmun, sit.

Tarp hopping is fantastic, but if you have a large group or a family, it's not always feasible. It can be difficult to find a spot for 4+ people during some of the higher demand shows.

Consider this, when high demand sets are on, it is a virtual one nation tarp, no select seating anywho.

[Pirate Looks at --]

Well I can tell you that for those of us lucky to camp on the fence line the "Flying Keltys" were pretty fun to watch....you could see them start to rise up and rise up more...and then they flew....quite a site to see.....I am glad no one was hurt!

[kylers234]

I just want to say thank you to all you shade tent people, because I sat in your shade many times over the 4 days.  Everyone was super nice about letting me take 5 under their tents. 

 Listening to: Jerry Douglas, The Traveler

[landshark]

I just want to say thank you to all you shade tent people, because I sat in your shade many times over the 4 days.  Everyone was super nice about letting me take 5 under their tents. 

This is how it is suppose to go down. Excellent!

[Auntie Hope]

Let's try to get this straightened out before next year.  If we need special rules for the sun shade area, let's discuss this in advance, rather than having PB staff and volunteers make up and amend the rules as we go. 

I'll second/third this motion. 

Auntie Hope