New to this forum, new to the TBF, and need help...

[fudge tunnel]

My wife and I, and another couple, take a vacation together every year.  We've gone to Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Vegas (a few times), and this year we want to go to the TBF.  I've been wanting to go for 10+ years but for one reason or another haven't been able to.  I was looking at the past year's lineups and am kicking myself.

Here are my list of questions that hopefully I can get help with:

1. What's the best place to find passes?  Please tell me it's not sold out.
2. How much $$$ for a full (4 day?) pass?
3. What are the recommendations for lodging?  We'd really like to do the camping thing, though we have an RV (I would like to avoid this however).  If we throw tents, do we need to reserve a campsite?
4. Are there facilities at the campsites?  (This is a question my wife will most definitely have)
5. Are the concession prices reasonable, or should we pack up the coolers?

Basically, I have no real knowledge of how to get started on this process.  We are all looking forward to it, hopefully I don't drop the ball.  I'm sure I will have more questions as time goes on

THanks in advance for your help and responses.

[JoeBu]

1)  Bluegrass.com (Not sold out, but the close by camping is sold out)
2)  $195, more if you bundle camping.
3)  You need to reserve a campsite...you can get a condo in town for $$$$, there is a breakdown of Campsites on bluegrass.com
4)  Define "Facilities"  lol...there are showers available, but you need to bring quarters...but for the most part it's a clean and well run fest.
5)  Yes.  Good Beer, wine and food is cheap.  You can always walk into town and having dinner(short walk)  You can't bring in beer to the fest, but if you are camping you'll want to pack your own.


You are about a week late to the rodeo, as tickets went on sale last week.  There is a lot of good info here, you can find answers to just about any question.  I would suggest figuring out where you want to stay and lock that down...check out the info on Bluegrass.com...RV Camping sold out already.  You'll love TBF...just do a little research and make sure you bring all that you need.

[swander99]

  Do it, and do it soon!   Camping is still available on http://shop.bluegrass.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_12 for $60 per person.  ($195/person for a 4-day pass will be like gold very soon, as will ALL the camping tix)  Lodging can be expensive, but it's surely a very fine way to go.  Camping @ the high school is "family zone" but who cares, you're only going there to sleep, and it's IN TOWN, with shuttles down the main street to Festivaaaal.  The other campgrounds outside of town have buses to fest/town.  Mary E is beautiful and still has vehicle passes available (22" max). 
If you're serious, buy the 4-day passes soon, figure the rest out later, like we all did, once upon a time, long ago, in the greatest place on the Planet...

 Listening to: wdvx online in heart(flat)land office, brain @ 8750'

[skyrunner]

  I have only been to TBF three times but this is some of the things I have learned. Planet Blue Grass tries to keep prices down for us hippies that don't have very much money. So, the food, beer are reasonably priced. You are welcome to take cooler's, chairs, tarp/blanket to the fest, just no glass. The water is free! It's cold,tastes great, and did I mention free? This is one of the most organized and well put on festivals you can find, I think planet blue grass does a very good job.
  I camp out at Mary E. I love it! It's out in the woods, right by a river, and great people. But, at almost 9000ft it gets cold at night, frosty cold! Bring a good sleeping bag. The "facilities" are porta-potty's, the shower is at the high school. They are clean, and cost about $3.00, WELL worth it.
    Joebu and swander are right, get your tickets, get them soon. There are a bunch of really good people on this forum that are willing to tell you any thing you need to know before you come, so everyone can have the best time possible.        

 Listening to: String Cheeze

[fudge tunnel]

Thanks for the responses thus far, very helpful.  Sounds like this will be a blast, much more my speed. 

[Mark of Bloomington]

As everyone else has mentioned get your tickets now, they may sell out early this year.  In most normal years they do not sell out until a couple of weeks before the actual festival, if they sell out at all.  This year is starting off with a bang, ticket sales-wise and may be a very unusual year.

Do not put off your lodging decisions either.  Camping and hotel/condo opportunities fill up fast as well.  My wife and I have been staying in the same hotel for ten years straight and we book our room for the next year's Festival before we check out of the hotel.  Our hotel is a five minute walk from the tarp.  We take occasional breaks from the sun in between sets, plus my wife prefers not to use the port-a-potties.  We have never camped for the TBF.  I have camped three times at MerleFest.  Camping at festivals is not like camping out in the mountians with peaceful quiet and solitude.  It can be a blast, but don't expect a lot of restful sleep.  That said, you can save $$$$$ over Telluride hotel/condos by camping.

Food is no problem, as others have mentioned.  You are a stones throw from town with the whole gambit of restaurants ($-$$$$$) and the food/beer and wine vendors at the festival are excellent and reasonably priced.  The food and beer/wine vendors are fund raisers for local charities and service organizations.  I try my best to support them.

[Pirate Looks at --]

If you are truly looking to camp, I would suggest that you post on this forum the number of camping tickets you want. Over the course of the next several months many people will have a change of plans and you may find that you may end up with a set of the very coveted "Town Park" camping passes. Post your request and keep reminding people that you are still looking. I can tell you that the best way to get into the festival is on this forum. i have met sooooo many friends on this site, and with the exception of this year (I won the lottery) I have never bought a ticket from Planet Bluegrass! Always from someone on this list. You will learn so much from this list. I knew nothing about TBF when I first came in 2001. By the time the Festival came around I had friends waiting for me in camp. TBF is like the "Anti-Vegas". We are ahuge bunch of caring loving people that would give you the "Tie-Dye" off our backs if you needed it. So, you must come to this festival, you must become a regular on this list, you will become a TBF junkie very soon. Keep reading these posts and ask your questions. You will be welcomed!

[Auntie Hope]

IT's VERY TRUE!!!!

My two favorite tye-dye shirts came from folks on this forum!!! One new, one pre-owned!  Then there is the vintage "pink" Fleckhead jem that will forever be cherished!

Family doesn't even begin to describe what you are getting into on this forum!!!

FESTIVVVAAALLL!!!

Auntie Hope 



P.S. ~
SOOOO looking forward to seeing a Pirate Face in Town Park again!!!!! 

[Pirate Looks at --]

Arrrrgh! I am really stoked to be there too Hope! I am looking forward to seeing you and working along side you in the Run-a-muck kitchen!

[Auntie Hope]

Arrrrgh! I am really stoked to be there too Hope! I am looking forward to seeing you and working along side you in the Run-a-muck kitchen!

Ha! Ha! With time, comes change. Run-A-Muck does their own dishes now!  Well, most of the time! 

You can come down to Pink Elephant/Hippo Campus and help us with the Bloody Marys though!! 

[swander99]

Carve the turkey turn the ball game on,
Make Bloody Marys, cause we all want one!
 
Send somebody to the Village Store
We need some ICE and an extension cord.
 
A jar of pickles and some Vodka soaked beans
Bring your own cup and it'll be filled with HEEN!
    
Hallelujah, everybody say cheese
MERRY CHRISTMAS to the FESTIVaaaL Family! 



 Listening to: It'd be so cool to see REK @ TBF 2012

[Debbiefromtucson]

 
I love all of you.... Happy Holidays to the festifamily......


BTW, I watched Dayton's video- first time I have ever seen that. I have heard the song a few times and really liked as it reminds me of some families I know and wish were mind...BUT, Scott.. I can't tell you how happy your words made me....LOL