Reflections after my first TBF

[jssmcmlv]

Music: some awesome music! Definitely exposed to performers I would not hear otherwise. Expected more bluegrass at a bluegrass festival.
Food: good variety and fair prices. All vendors very nice
Water: THANK YOU for the never ending free water
Site: fantastically gorgeous but the first couple of days were tough because there is practically no signage as to where things are
Climate: oppressive, hot, dry, dusty, smoky. Many folks around us at the venue and the campground had nosebleeds and dry, hacking coughs-me included
Children's Area: tiny tent areas considering all the kids and parents who almost camped out in there. Almost impossible to get to with a stroller because of the steps.
Volunteers: All were helpful, kind, considerate, and cheerful regardless of the temp or job station
Program/information: woefully insufficient. I suggest a town map and a festival grounds map.
Shuttles: lifesavers! drivers were so nice and helpful
High School Campground: everything we expected and more EXCEPT the "quiet time midnight to 8 am" was totally not enforced. Nightgrass(?) or whatever was going on in the auditorium was unnecessarily loud for those of us camping OUTSIDE the building with small children. Two nights in a row there were guys loading or unloading equipment between 1:30 am and 3:30 am making lots of noise and using some of the foulest language. When one camper stepped out if his tent to ask them to tone it down, the response was, "get the **** back in your tent and ****ing go to sleep". When a different camper complained the next morning to a volunteer, she answered, "I'll tell my supervisor". Then it happened again the next night. Unacceptable.
Festivarians: until they get drunk and sick, they are the best people on the Planet. 


 Listening to: Bluegrass

[FaceOnMars]

Sorry to hear the camping scene wasn't exactly as you had hoped at the high school.  I've never camped there, but I did walk along the entire south perimeter fence on both Friday & Saturday nights at about midnight (on the way to nightgrass) & there was hardly a peep that I could hear, nor on the way back about 1:45am.

Sounds like this may have been mostly a load out thing vs. roudy campers.   In any case, it's a bummer it happened.

[Hartford1230]

What were you looking for that was so hard to find? Exploring Telluride is part of the fun but there are always friendly, helpful folks nearby as long as you ask...


 Listening to: The Infamous Stringdusters

[jssmcmlv]

Good point, Hartford. People were very helpful. We asked the first day, "where is Elk Park" and the answer was "downtown". The second day, on our way in, the shuttle stopped there and I realized where it was. There are several routes from the festival area back to the bus stops, and I'm pretty sure I used all of them. Saturday I finally found a direct route.

[loosejello]

As far as the climate, I can say that for the past 5 years now that I've been there, that's the driest it's ever been. It has been an extremely dry year for Colorado, though, so not much Planet Bluegrass can do about that. I found my sandwich bread drying out before I could eat the whole thing! 

Also, the music has always been quite diverse, often bringing in acts that are only mildly similar to bluegrass, or more folky/alternative. The festivarians are usually very open to new sounds and great artists!

 Listening to: First Aid Kit

[oddfired]

It's hard to fault PB for not providing clear directions for everyone.  There are just too many areas that people are coming from to make that feasible.  It's best to show up a day early and figure out your route.  I get my wristband while I'm doing that so I'm good to go for the first line. 

There are free maps of Telluride all over town, practically every store/business has them.

You're always going to have a few bad eggs in the bunch (the equipment people at your camp), but they are EXTREMELY rare and NEVER a festivarian.  If you look at the jerk/friendly person ratio, I am 100% confidant that you will never do better than Telluride.

We had a couple hickups too, but I dont remember them.  I remember Greensky Bluegrass lighting it up Wednesday night, John Prine living up to his history and reputation, the Coffee Cowboy kid saving my life with coffee (and their antics) Fogarty SLAYING it, Leftover Salmon melting what was left of the stage after Fogarty, the moving tribute to Doc Watson in Elk's park, the Yonder marshmallow fight, the KILLER flank steak, the KILLER Punch Brothers nightgrass set, the sweet farmer's market in Telluride, the awesome awesome people of Telluride, Moutain Village and Planet Bluegrass, all the super cool people I met on the Gondola, and the endless stream of the most beautiful women on the planet.

Those are the things that I hold on to, and the reason TBF is so special, and the reason that as long as I am able-bodied, I will never ever miss another FESTIVAAAAAAALLLL!!

[dayton]

ANAHUACK!!!!!!  Wake up Babies!!!
(please refer to Jeff Austin and Ben Kauffman guide to Telluride )


 Listening to: tim o'brien - restless spirit wandering

[wyeknot108]

When a different camper complained the next morning to a volunteer, she answered, "I'll tell my supervisor". Then it happened again the next night. Unacceptable.
Festivarians: until they get drunk and sick, they are the best people on the Planet. 

Be sure to fill out the annual TBP feedback form when distributed.  Your information will help make the festival even better next year.

[topdog]

I was also a newbie and over the course of the festival, figured out a strategy for enjoying the days and nights and minimizing frustration.  I will definitely be back for more next year!  Even though some acts were not my favorites - when I think of all the wonderful sets including a bunch in Elks Park - what a treat.  The heat was oppressive and the dry air and smoke were hard on my sinuses and throat too - but I learned that a) you can sit on a rock with your feet in the creek and still hear the music from the main stage and b) Elks Park offers some shady spots and a great experience.  And that next time I've gotta stay in town - Mary Illium is nice but you end up riding the bus a LOT and have to plan ahead so much.

Thanks to the staff and volunteers and to the great musicians who performed.  And the bus drivers with the patience of saints! 

If I had one complaint or let's say, suggestion - could there be a nonsmoking area or maybe an area for smokers?  Yes, smokers were asked to be considerate of others, but I don't think anybody really knows what that means. Of course people should enjoy their festival experience and for some I understand that includes cigarettes, but sometimes it was hard to get away from.

But mainly, I'm scratching my head wondering why I've never been to TBF before now! 

[Auntie Hope]

I will actually speak up in the defense of all the smokers that DID go to the back near the trash/recycle/compost bins to have their cigs. There were a ton of us that did NOT want to be "that person" starting a fire at Bluegrass.

As for the rest, sorry they were sitting near you on the field. 

See you next year, Topdog! 

Auntie Hope 

[darbwa]

I have always wondered what the signs meant when they asked smokers to be considerate of others.  I don't think anyone is going to tell a smoker to take a hike when the smoker leans over and asks if it is okay if they light up.  I can't stand those things but I don't feel right telling them that I don't want them around me.

I never noticed anyone smoking by the dumpsters (at least any more than anywhere else) and I was around them a lot because I was in sunshadeville for most of the festival.  Is that area supposed to be a suggested area for smoking? It would be great if there was such a spot.

[HuckinFappy]

I have always wondered what the signs meant when they asked smokers to be considerate of others.  I don't think anyone is going to tell a smoker to take a hike when the smoker leans over and asks if it is okay if they light up. 

Then we apparently haven't met 

We are tolerant, but have our limits.  If someone right upwind lights up and the whole cigarette blows under our shade, I'm not happy, but I probably let it slide.   When it's a group of smokers and they all light up, or it's a nonstop assault on my lungs, I'll definitely go over and mention to them that they're really ruining my day, and I'd appreciate a little consideration.  That usually improves things.

[landshark]

I have always wondered what the signs meant when they asked smokers to be considerate of others.  I don't think anyone is going to tell a smoker to take a hike when the smoker leans over and asks if it is okay if they light up. 

Then we apparently haven't met 

We are tolerant, but have our limits.  If someone right upwind lights up and the whole cigarette blows under our shade, I'm not happy, but I probably let it slide.   When it's a group of smokers and they all light up, or it's a nonstop assault on my lungs, I'll definitely go over and mention to them that they're really ruining my day, and I'd appreciate a little consideration.  That usually improves things.

Yes, just reach out and talk.
I have a story about tolerance I want to share. I met a wonderful women front and center last set. She flew in , in her own plane just for Sammy. I gave her the inside skinny on how a girl manages all the gear and lineup.
 
She will return and next time we will exchange names. 

Young, beautiful women behind us screaming in unisin at the top of their lungs and kickin' up some dirt with dance. I can relate.
 As I spoke to the kind women next to me, she began to become anoyed at all the sreaming and dirt flying at us. She vanised into thin air.

Levels of rage and how we manage it is totally up to each of us, but please let us all be tolerent of each other and speak freely about what might bug us. I wish she would of just talked to them.

I had a wonderful fest and I hope you did too So many good memories and the time just vanishes, not to mention this killer tan, on the front side anyway