Sorry to beat this dead TARP!!!

[Cindy Lou]

I remember when there wasn't a need to pull up chairs and tarps until the last song was over, and there was no "rush" or more aptly, "crush" to the front. If I'm out there all day I would really like to be able to sit down in my chair once in a while during the last acts, especially now that I have hip and knee issues that prevent me from standing for the last 2 bands each night.
I also remember the first time that started to happen, and people would come up and just pile our chairs and packs so they could stand on our tarp, and didn't even ask.    Now it just seems to be accepted that that's what's going to happen, but I didn't agree with it then, and I still don't.
So now, I  don't get to see the headliners because I can't stand that long, and I'm so short I can't see over most folks anyway even if I could stand.  I would like to see the planet make some sort of small bleachers or something, raised up about as high as the sound guys and maybe off to one side of the sound board, for some of us "older" festivarians to be able to sit on AND see the show. I'd gladly show my AARP card for that.
But I know change is/was inevitable and if it gets to be too hard to deal with the drunks knocking me down or falling on me or spilling beer on me or burning my hair with their cigs when I try to sit then I will just stop coming and stay home and listen to it on the radio.

[Dean]

So far as I recall this topic dates back to the mid 80's when the fest first disallowed leaving tarps (and sundry lawn furniture) on the field all night. Those were the days...and nights...

[Debbiefromtucson]

How about a lottery that raffels off numbers so the front tarps are everchanging. Your wrist band has a number on it, this number designates tarp positions for each day. No gettin up early, no throwin more than 1 tarp and no land grab. Numbered seating, that gets closer with each day, so the front is in the back on some days and the back is up front.


There is no way that would work since camps are made up of many people who will usually get their wrist bands at different times and/or places if they need to do will call... Besides how would that work with the few "shadeplaces on the sides?

[landshark]

I remember when there wasn't a need to pull up chairs and tarps until the last song was over, and there was no "rush" or more aptly, "crush" to the front. If I'm out there all day I would really like to be able to sit down in my chair once in a while during the last acts, especially now that I have hip and knee issues that prevent me from standing for the last 2 bands each night.
I also remember the first time that started to happen, and people would come up and just pile our chairs and packs so they could stand on our tarp, and didn't even ask.    Now it just seems to be accepted that that's what's going to happen, but I didn't agree with it then, and I still don't.
So now, I  don't get to see the headliners because I can't stand that long, and I'm so short I can't see over most folks anyway even if I could stand.  I would like to see the planet make some sort of small bleachers or something, raised up about as high as the sound guys and maybe off to one side of the sound board, for some of us "older" festivarians to be able to sit on AND see the show. I'd gladly show my AARP card for that.
But I know change is/was inevitable and if it gets to be too hard to deal with the drunks knocking me down or falling on me or spilling beer on me or burning my hair with their cigs when I try to sit then I will just stop coming and stay home and listen to it on the radio.

I have to confess here, we hung back most of fest because of chair issues, my ankel was just so swollen and sore and the hubby has a rebuilt knee from Bball as well as a few other health issues. We needed our chairs and used them, first time ever till final set. Pulled up the tarp before dusk which is unusual as well, lots of folks and butts on the tarp it was a challenge.

So CindyLou you are not alone and I think in a few more years we will need to adjust our fest attack again. It is a tarp dillima for sure. Am I getting to old for fest? I hope not.

[landshark]

How about a lottery that raffels off numbers so the front tarps are everchanging. Your wrist band has a number on it, this number designates tarp positions for each day. No gettin up early, no throwin more than 1 tarp and no land grab. Numbered seating, that gets closer with each day, so the front is in the back on some days and the back is up front.


There is no way that would work since camps are made up of many people who will usually get their wrist bands at different times and/or places if they need to do will call... Besides how would that work with the few "shadeplaces on the sides?

See there is no correct answer, just showes to go ya!

[ponchom1]

We had a big tarp up front every day, and we occupied it all day every day... We welcomed everyone that joined us, and many stayed all day.  That being said, we also slept in line every night to get it.  If you want to be right up front, come join us, or get in the line.  I have to tell you, sleeping in the line every night, and dancing at the show everyday can take a toll.

As far as showing up at 4 to see Yonder, that was probably one of the only bad vibes I got throughout the whole show.  Rude people came out of nowhere to see Yonder and then disappeared.  It didn't look like they had been there all day.

Anyway, to reiterate the point I made in an earlier comment, the last thing we need are more rules!  I thought the festival was handled beautifully.

[MrEdyoulis]

Imagine no tarps
Its easy if you try
No basketball court sized plastic
Above us only sky

[Mr. Geppetto]

imagine dust clouds entering your face holes day after day.

[Hooch]

imagine dust clouds entering your face holes day after day.

Hahahaha!!  Face Holes.  I'm going to use that term somewhere at work today. 

[helixer]

Some interesting stuff here!
  People keep saying there'd be no way to regulate tarps. I'm not sure why this is. All you would have to do is have a few signs along the entry ways. You could have the bag checkers remind people etc etc. A few courteous announcements from the stage mic--whatever. Maybe start the tarp regulation on the second day, that way you could announce it to everyone via the stage.
  It's true, there ain't much more these guys can do to make this festival better. It's run nearly perfect. But regulating tarp size isn't hard to implement.
  I also agree with an above entry about the dance areas being bigger. Amen to that! It's unfortunate that if you want to dance you have to stand in a very small dusty spot.
  I even have a friend who cooks backstage so I get backstage passes sometimes, so much of the time I don't even have a dog in this fight, but I know a lot of people who can't spend all day in line (thereby missing half the festival) just to get closer some of the time.
  Seriously though- why do some of you want to keep the huge tarp thing going? Do you really need that much empty space around you to be comfortable? I think if you really want a big party space, then put the amount of people you need in line to cover multiple 8x10 tarps. Easy!

 Listening to: Zappa, Hot Rats

[Mr. Geppetto]

imagine dust clouds entering your face holes day after day.

Hahahaha!!  Face Holes.  I'm going to use that term somewhere at work today. 

that sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen...

[Hot Sugar]

imagine dust clouds entering your face holes day after day.

Hahahaha!!  Face Holes.  I'm going to use that term somewhere at work today. 

that sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen...

Hooch already IS a lawsuit waiting to happen.

[Hooch]

imagine dust clouds entering your face holes day after day.

Hahahaha!!  Face Holes.  I'm going to use that term somewhere at work today. 

that sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen...

Aww thanks Hot Sugar!  That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me all day!!

Hooch already IS a lawsuit waiting to happen.

[pretzel]

I have no problem with the tarp run or sizes.  Unfortunately, more than once, I have stood or sat on completely empty tarps, that could hold 20 people, when one person would come up and ask me to move or just glare at me if I asked if it was ok.   I believe a lot of people obsessed with the tarp run are not really in to the spirit of an incredible festival.   I have camped all night in the tarp line and I have decided that I just don't get it.  Even crazier are people who camp out for a space on Warner Field.  Maybe I would be more understanding if I was under 60 years old.

[Goody]

Ban all tarps forever.

 Listening to: May Erlewine - Golden