Line Policy Help

[darbwa]

I am looking for some insight on how I can get a decent tarp spot or (preferably) decent sunshade spot this year.  I have never been fortunate enough to get a number while waiting in line so I guess I don't get there early enough.  When do they give out numbers?

It seems as though the line forms on day one and pretty much exists throughout the festival.  I recall leaving the festival on a Thursday night and seeing people already posted up for a whole night in line.

I am traveling with my family and another family and feel like I have no shot at a decent spot because I am unable to spend the night in line ( I have kids to take care of).  I feel like trying to find (or buy) a teammate that has less familial responsibility than I do but I don't want to break any festavarian code by paying for that "service" but what are my options really?   Any insights or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 Listening to: Del McCoury

[swander99]

You can do just fine by getting up and in line by 6am, imho. Numbers get handed out between 6-6:30 usually. If you get number, any number, you'll have a good spot. (again just mho)  See you in line!

[Auntie Hope]

If this is really important to you form a line community in your campground. Most camps have a group that take turns sitting in line, staying overnight in line, getting a number in line, and then a runner for the actual tarp run that swoops in and does the bidding (running) for the group.

As your kids get older they can participate in the line sitting and/or running. Add tips (a.k.a. ~bribes like a festi-t-shirt, if needed) and the Tarp Run becomes a right of passage of it's own.

Great question! Let us know post-fest how it works out! 

Auntie Hope 

[completejohn]

Tarp line:  best reason EVER to have kids.

[Auntie Hope]

Tarp line:  best reason EVER to have kids.

 

 

[wbcohen]

If its a sunshade spot you are going for, then getting in line (from either the TP or Town side) at ~4:30AM will probably get you in the front row. I have kids and have done this the past bunch of years. I still maintain that  there is no better place to be on earth and no better people to be found at 5AM each Bluegrass Morning than in the tarp line.

[Hot Sugar]

As others have said, if you're looking for a sun shade spot, you won't need to stay up in line all night. You'll be fine showing up around 4:00 or 5:00 AM

[ckshusker]

I know this is a real newbie question but is there really a bad spot?  What if you just happen to be a solo festivater and you get so involved with looking around town that you don't wander in until 10ish?  I'm really umm not a morning person to put it mildly.  Thanks for any advice.

[Doc Mike]

I know this is a real newbie question but is there really a bad spot?  What if you just happen to be a solo festivater and you get so involved with looking around town that you don't wander in until 10ish?  I'm really umm not a morning person to put it mildly.  Thanks for any advice.

Truthfully, you will be in great shape.  Wander around, share a tarp, meet and greet.  There will be 10,000 new friends waiting to meet you.  If a tarp is empty, it's cool to sit for awhile.  When the folks come back, chances are you'll be invited to stay. 

[Hot Sugar]

I know this is a real newbie question but is there really a bad spot?  What if you just happen to be a solo festivater and you get so involved with looking around town that you don't wander in until 10ish?  I'm really umm not a morning person to put it mildly.  Thanks for any advice.

What Doc Mike said. I never put a tarp down my first three years at fest. I simply wandered around and found some empty space. Ask the tarp's owner if they mind if you have a seat. Since it's just you, I doubt anymore will turn you away.

[Jake n Wanda Ziller]

I never bother with the line. Always get a good enough spot and always find friends close up & make new ones each fest too!


 Listening to: Jimmie Dale Gilmore

[darbwa]

If its a sunshade spot you are going for, then getting in line (from either the TP or Town side) at ~4:30AM will probably get you in the front row. I have kids and have done this the past bunch of years. I still maintain that  there is no better place to be on earth and no better people to be found at 5AM each Bluegrass Morning than in the tarp line.

Are there 2 lines - TP and Town side)?
4:30 AM is brutal when you have to watch kids all day.  I have to find another way.

To answer ckshusker, there is no bad place in the festival grounds and if you are a single you can pretty much watch from wherever you want.

But if you are like me traveling with 2 families and little kids, it becomes much more difficult to just go with the flow.  I have come into the festival at 8:00 and have had nowhere to set up a sunshade or a tarp.  For me that can't be an option or I will have tired uncomfortable kiddos and that makes for an unhappy wife - something nobody wants.


 Listening to: Little Feat

[BethTW]

i dont recall this tarp craze from 97... do you put a tarp down every day or put it down for the weekend? i may  be inclined to rise at 4:30 if its for a weekend.
and with all this talk will i be able to buy a tarp within miles of telluride wednesday?
is there a tarp recycler in town

woot woot!!!

[ratcub]

tarp runs are a daily occurance... in fact I think someone's lined up by the river already!!! 

[Creede]

Lining up and the tarp run are something that happens everyday, you have to pick up your tarp at night.  They usually go by and hand out numbers a couple of times, once before 7:00 and another time a little later, but any number usually means you'll get a decent place to throw your tarp.  Unless you want to get up front, you really don't need to get there in the wee hours, however I usually try to be there around 6.  It may be an early start, but the company is always great, if a little groggy 

 Listening to: Norman Blake