What are your best TBF memories?

[Hot Sugar]

While maybe not one of my best memories, the Great Ball Tagging War of 2013 was something I won't soon forget. I may have lost all but one battle, but that one battle won me the war!

Just wait until you find out what I've got planned for next year!

Thanks for the warning. I'll make sure to have a full, metal water bottle with me at all times. Well, until I lose it, anyway.

 Listening to: Ziggy Marley

[landshark]

Men in tutus that rocked the house! I want to see that again!

[landshark]

Johnny Cash, he was so commanding of the stage and crowd. Mesmerized me for his entire set. I swear smoke was coming out of his ears. ON FIRE! His set is still a huge highlight for me.

[Auntie Hope]

Was camping behind Cascadia Dome last year (2014). At some wee hour of the morning some visiting musicians started making up their own tunes....

"We're gonna smoke two joints" - *guitar riff* - "and go to bed."
"We're gonna smoke two joints" - *mando riff* - "and go to bed"

You get the picture here.....

After 45 minutes of this great new tune, I crawled out of my sleeping bag, walked around the corner, walked into the dome and asked, "Do you guys need a lighter?" 

[landshark]

One year I smiled so much at Fest I swear I had bugs stuck on my teeth.
 My lips did not relax from the smile position for 4 beautiful, soul filling days.

 The power of music and nature. Rippin' good times. Thank you PBG!

[fosterthedog]

A lot of things come to mind, but first of all happy to be coming back to Telluride after 25 years. Moved from IL to go to school at Western State College in Gunnison. Found out I was a better skibum than a student which in hindsight I knew already. Worked as a lifty in Created Butte, got a job the first off season cleaning cabins and mowing lawns at a little resort in Almont, answered an ad in the paper and the owner of the resort was an older brother of a pair of twins I grew up with in IL. Quit school and went back that winter as foreman of the learning area double chair and why I would come to hate a T-Bar with a retractable rope derailed more than you can imagine. My percieverance paid off and got a year round job lifty in the winter, lift maintenance in the off season. Worked and lived with a guy named Nick Burns from MN we listen to Red Clay Ramblers, Old and in the Way, Doc and Merle, Newgrass  Revivail. He'd been to TBF the year before and said we should make the trip, it fell at the end of mud season and was a great time to make the trip before we had to go back to work.went for 6 years in a row from 83-89, can't belive all the bands we saw Bromberg, Hartford, Little Feat (first show back without Lowell), etc... Topper was The Dead in 87, we were going to the Floradora for beers and almost got run over by moped driven by Bill Graham. Camped in Town Park next to Wavys' Bus got to meet Phil when he came to see Wavy. Can't replace the years I've missed but going to have a great Fest in place I truley love and feel at home.

[Cindy Lou]

The combination of all elements creates this euphoric feeling for me. Music, water, sun, snow, cold and  hot. Like all your senses are turned on overdrive all at once. A real chill pill.

UNLESS however John Fogerty turns it up about 60 notches and tears the roof of the house. What a powerful performance!

'YES!  and all those kids behind us laughing at us old farts dancing and singing to all his songs. That was one of the funnest performances I  have had the  privilege to see and hear.

 Listening to: bluegrass of course

[fivetornadoes]

Hello Festivarian Nation,

Here is a link to a short story/travelogue I wrote about my trip to TBF this year. Hope you enjoy.

Mike

https://sites.google.com/site/mikewillistrip/

this is very well put together. incredible.   

[rickandian]

My first TBF was the 40th 2 years ago, perfect weather, Trampled By Turtles at the Sheridan Opera House was probably my favorite show of all time. They played everything they had.

 Listening to: Blackhawks 2, Wild 1 game 4 3rd period

[landshark]

This time right now with just a few weeks to go and as I dust my chair and hat and squirtgun off, this time now. Anticipation, relaxation. Hard to get excited over and over again about this same adventure but no not. Because it is the sameness of the people the good music, the vibes that makes each trip I take to TBF unique and the same all in one. Extremely comforted in knowing that music lovers of all ages shapes and sizes will be together in nature experiencing this long weekend of fun together again. GOOSEBUMP CITY!!!!!!!!!

FESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

[aztoma]

^^^ me too!

[rossstevens]

This time right now with just a few weeks to go and as I dust my chair and hat and squirtgun off, this time now. Anticipation, relaxation. Hard to get excited over and over again about this same adventure but no not. Because it is the sameness of the people the good music, the vibes that makes each trip I take to TBF unique and the same all in one. Extremely comforted in knowing that music lovers of all ages shapes and sizes will be together in nature experiencing this long weekend of fun together again. GOOSEBUMP CITY!!!!!!!!!

FESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

 

[gapple]

2011 festivirgin party at smugglers brewpub.  Met a lot of people looking for beads.   Thanks Laura.

 Listening to: Decemberists

[swander99]

2011 festivirgin party at smugglers brewpub.  Met a lot of people looking for beads.   Thanks Laura.

I think we're still waiting on the arbitrator's ruling for the winner of that Noobead contest, aren't we Sugar? 

[whyte byrde]

Hi everyone!  This will be year 12 for me (actually 11th TBF out of 12 years)!!!  After so many festivals I have literally hundreds of "best times" in my memory.  Friends, sights, sounds, the wonder of it all....it is unexplainable to those who have never been.  Here are a few of my best unusual memories:

1.  Bringing people for the first time and watching their reactions (including the crying when it's all over).
2.  Finding my dear friend Daniela's lost TBF ticket crammed underneath the car seat after arriving in Telluride, going to the wristband exchange, and only then realizing it was gone!
3.  Catching the flu at TBF back in 2001 and throwing up in the porta-pots.
4.  Watching Sam Bush run to the public porta-pots during his autograph session.
5.  Most recently - the moment of silence last year for the sound man who passed away.  10,000 festivarians being quiet and respectful was truly a moving experience.

How about everyone else?  What are your memories?

Brett (a.k.a. Hooch)