first timers looking for some guidance!

[kellywelly]

Hello everyone!   Myself and two friends are very excited to be heading down to Lyons this weekend for our first RockyGrass!  In fact it will be our very first festival of any kind, so naturally we are feeling a little lost.  I’m sure a lot of these questions are very basic but I’m having trouble finding the information on the Planet Bluegrass website.  Any guidance you have to offer will be much appreciated!

Check-in procedure:  The three of us have 3-day passes and Bohn campground passes.  When we arrive on Thursday, where do we need to go first?  To the box office to get our wrist-bands or straight to the parking lot and then over to the campground?   Is arriving mid-morning too late to find a spot for a 10’x10’ tent without having to squeeze between folks or should we plan on being there well before the campground opens at 9am?  I’m sure there’ll be plenty of signs pointing the way, but I’d hate to be the person causing a traffic jam because they don’t know where they’re going!

Are the seats up close to the stage fenced off from the tarp area reserved or can we aspire to sit in them during some of the earlier sets?

Is it reasonably safe to leave gear in our tent all day (clothes, sleeping bags, coolers, nothing highly valuable) or should we plan on packing it all back to the car in the mornings?

Is the morning tarp run really as scary as it sounds??

Any other advice or not-so-secret secret pro-tips you have to offer?

Thanks very much for your help and we’re looking forward to a great festival and making new friends!

[cornellram53@yahoo.com]

You should have no trouble finding space in Bohn.  Desireable space no problem at 10 am.  You can feel pretty secure about leaving camping gear and having it be there when you get back.  Of course lock up valuables.  In years past I have just brought the printed versions of my tix/camping passes and the good folks at Bohn let you come in and set up before heading up to get wrist bands and such.  The only other advice I have is to bring lots of good beer and whiskey to share with the festavarians in the old tow behind with the lavender expedition and colorful flags.  Word on the street is that they have some pretty good food!

[retsin2000]

I'll answer what I can.
There is a tent set up in Bohn so just go there first. I've never camped in Bin but it always has looked to me that there is a lot of space.someone who has camped there will hopefully come along and confirm that. Front seats require a backstage pass. You can suit on any empty tarp though. The is some mention of that on the PBG website. Tarp run is fun craziness. Get a number though the night before. The numbers line is also fun. If you play instruments bring them to the numbers line.

Get ready for big fun.

[kellywelly]

Great!  Thanks very much to both of you!

I don't know how I'm supposed to stay focused at work for the next two days, I'm too excited!

[Powderglut]

Go to the campground. If they have their shit together (Planet Bluegrass camping security) , you should be able to get your festival wristband at Bohn without the line hassle at the venue.. If you get there Thursday AM you should be able to setup most anywhere. You will find that others will keep filling holes left between camps. By Friday evening it will be very cozy. You will get to know your neighbors. 
I haven't had an issue with anyone messin with my camping gear or coolers in 12 years. I always camp at Bohn.
 I bring my bike because we are a little further away, but no worries, there is a shuttle.
  Get your numbers at night for the next AM tarp run. Meet, new, fun and exciting people. Next morning... run hard, (probably with a wee bit of hangover)  to your justly deserved tarp spot. You will be a pro after your 1st one. If during the day you see an open tarp not being used, that is better placed than yours, you may use it freely until the owners come and claim it. Believe it or not some folks put a tarp down and don't even see it till the last 2 or 3 shows in the evening.
Have fun!!