Town Park virgin? Get your answers here!

[Hot Sugar]

How does parking work for Town Park? This is our first TBF and scored Town Park! Unfortunately we can't get there til wed afternoon so I imagine we'll be hiking a bit anyway but how bad is it? Less than a mile? More? How much does it cost? We are both in good hiking shape but she is coming from CA so elevation might be a factor... Thanks!

Parking is free. Depending on how fast the lots fill up, you might be parking in town or you might be parking in Mountain Village, which is an easy and free gondola ride over the mountain. You will be able to drive your car in to unload, but you won't be able to leave it there.

[Hooch]

Hi, friends!
My wife and I are incredibly stoked to be in Town Park this year. It's her first time at TBF, while I've been a few times back in the 90s and early 2000s, but always with a large group. Thrilled to finally be coming back and to share it with her!
I have two questions for you wise festivarians:
1. Since we'll be there most of the week (arriving early Tuesday), we'd like to bring our roomy 8x10" tent, along with a basic cooler, Coleman stove, camp chairs, etc. Is that too much space for only two people? Will we have any trouble finding a spot? We're very friendly and don't mind being nestled against others. We're also very good at sharing whatever we have.
2. I've recently picked up the banjo and would LOVE to join in on some late-night jams (even if I'm the slow beginner in the back with the perma-grin). If I were going to brush up on some licks, which tunes should I practice? What are some Town Park standards?
Thanks! FESTIVAAAAAL!

Along with Tom's comments earlier I'd also suggest that you wander around Town Park, find some friendly folks, and pick a spot before you start hauling in gear.  There are a couple/three/five unloading locations.  You want to make sure to unload at the closest one to your selected spot. 

[waterbear]

HI everybody!!!
  I kind of live in   dolores  colorado down the road and and i cant seem to get a town park camping site.   I just want to be able to jam all night in town park and dont want to have to sneak in.... is there anything to do like a jammers wristband? haha maybe...     also,
    i would be more than happy to tour guide some people around that show up early such as go to hot springs, kyaking, fishing,or hiking i know the area well.
  thanks thought it might be worth a try.

[Hot Sugar]

HI everybody!!!
  I kind of live in   dolores  colorado down the road and and i cant seem to get a town park camping site.   I just want to be able to jam all night in town park and dont want to have to sneak in.... is there anything to do like a jammers wristband? haha maybe...     also,
    i would be more than happy to tour guide some people around that show up early such as go to hot springs, kyaking, fishing,or hiking i know the area well.
  thanks thought it might be worth a try.

Unfortunately, there's no jammers pass. It would simply be too hard to enforce. But if you show up early you can head into Town Park and pick. I believe it's Thursday morning that Town Park becomes unavailable to anyone without a pass, but it could be sometime on Wednesday, too. Don't fear, though, Mary E has plenty of picking going on, too. I imagine Lawson does, as well, but I've never stayed there.

[AlohaGirl]

Total newbie to Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

I have a 4 day pass with camping included. Trying to read through the thread for past information.

Quick question: Which day of the week, 2014, does Town Park camp open for snagging a camp spot?

Nevermind...found the answer: Saturday 14 June 2014. 


Mahalo,
Mary

[aftermidnight]

Hey Waterbear, I'm arriving on the 14th with my guitar and fly rod. How can I find you? I have town park camping but who knows where I will pitch my tent.

Rob

[Northpoint]

I am coming from Mass. looking forward to the Town Park experience. I am tenting  and have a 40 degree sleeping bag. Does anyone recommend that I bring a 20 degree bag instead ? I play guitar and some banjo, looking forward to jamming  at night ?
Where can I find a checklist of items that people bring and glad they did ?


Greg B

[TellurideTom]

I am coming from Mass. looking forward to the Town Park experience. I am tenting  and have a 40 degree sleeping bag. Does anyone recommend that I bring a 20 degree bag instead ? I play guitar and some banjo, looking forward to jamming  at night ?
Where can I find a checklist of items that people bring and glad they did ?


Greg B

I would recommend bringing the 20 degree bag.
There have been many mornings where there is a layer of ice in the water jug.

You can find the checklist in the thread The ultimate packing list
 

[marrypoppins]

Whoa. So you can start camping the Saturday before the festival? We are probably leaving from Denver Tuesday and were planning on staying with my family in Montrose Tuesday night. Will we be fine to grab a nice spot on Wednesday?

[BillyBeru]

Most of the campground will be full by then so prime spots will be taken. That said, ask some of your potential neighbors if there's room for you to squeeze in.  Most of us are friendly and will be glad to accommodate.

How many folks are in your group?

(I'm sure Hot Sugar will post shortly reinforcing what I just wrote)

[Hooch]

I'm not Hot Sugar but will also reinforce what Billy Beru just stated.  I'd also like to add that if you can arrive earlier then you will not be disappointed in the pre-festival activies/shenanigans that take place.

[Hot Sugar]

Most of the campground will be full by then so prime spots will be taken. That said, ask some of your potential neighbors if there's room for you to squeeze in.  Most of us are friendly and will be glad to accommodate.

How many folks are in your group?

(I'm sure Hot Sugar will post shortly reinforcing what I just wrote)

Just for that, I'm going to disagree with you. Actually, we're all jerks. And we bite. So watch out!

[HuckinFappy]

Most of the campground will be full by then so prime spots will be taken. That said, ask some of your potential neighbors if there's room for you to squeeze in.  Most of us are friendly and will be glad to accommodate.

How many folks are in your group?

(I'm sure Hot Sugar will post shortly reinforcing what I just wrote)

Just for that, I'm going to disagree with you. Actually, we're all jerks. And we bite. So watch out!

Speak for yourself.   I'm no jerk.

I'm a certified a**hole.   Just ask the guys that set up camp in the middle of our "kid-friendly zone", and started smoking cigarettes and cigars nonstop.   On my 5th polite request for them just to go on the other side of us near the river, so their smoke wouldn't hang in the campsite, I was told in no uncertain terms what they thought of me.

"Everything you need to know about Town park Camping you learned in Kindergarten":
1.  Respect others
2.  Be nice
3.  Don't be selfish
4.  Be flexible (if you aren't, I hear Crunchy Frog helps)
5.  Don't be a jerk.
6.  Share

and when somebody else can't follow these tips, just ignore them as best you can.

[marrypoppins]

Wow, that is crazyyyy. When do most people arrive? Would it benefit us to arrive Tueday afternoon as opposed to Wednesday?

We have friends camping in people's yards, some in other campgrounds, but it will be my boyfriend and I and then we'll prob bring another couples tent to set up since they would be arriving til later. I'm assuming we'll want to bring shade then as well?

[HuckinFappy]

In 25 years, I have never heard someone say, "I got here too early"

Every year, I hear newbies say, "I wish I'd gotten here sooner!"

For us old-time ABGATers, arrival date is this Saturday, June 7!   Used to be we could stay 3 weeks (a week before, festival week, and the week after).   But the policies kicking us all out by noon Monday reduced out Telluride residency by a week.   

In summary:  Get there as early as you can, and plan to be earlier next year