I am 63 and attending the Folks Fest alone and for the first time and I am not camping. I have a few questions which I do not find were ever asked and answered before on this community board.
After a 12 hour drive on Thursday I won't be in the line that night to get a number. My first sight of the place will be Friday morning. I believe I will have to leave my car in a somewhat remote park in Lyons and travel to the festival grounds in a shuttle bus which I must assume is reliable and will accommodate folks carrying their chairs and lots of stuff. Here are my questions:
1) I plan to be in line for the tarp run when the gates open at 10:00 AM Friday. What time should I arrive to ride the shuttle and join the front part of that line? Will I first have to be in a different line somewhere Friday morning to get my wrist band and will that spoil my chances for being close to the front of the tarp line?
2) Is it acceptable to place my tarp and then leave the grounds and return later with my chair and stuff? If I was not interested in the earlier performers one day and waited to return when the last four or five start is that OK? I don't want to have people mad at me one day for reserving a spot and then not sitting there all day long. I want to make friends.
3) Do I need to bring a flashlight to find my way out to the shuttle busses at night?
4) What size tarp should I use to reserve a place as a single person? What makes the best tarp? Do I need something relatively heavy that would not blow away in a rain storm if my chair is not on it?
5) If I decide I want to have a chance for a better spot Saturday by getting in the line for a number, is it customary for that line to assemble right after the concert ends Friday night? If yes, how late does the music usually end Friday and how many hours might I be sitting in the dark in that line before they hand out numbers? Do the shuttle busses still run that late after the numbers are handed out? I get too short of breath to walk with a chair and stuff for more than a few blocks...certainly not a mile or two.
6) I think I read in some blog a few years ago about a Pavilion on the festival grounds. Is there some Pavilion with some seats, and if so who performs there and when?
7) Will the festival web site ever post the performance times for each day or just continue to list who the group of performers are?
I think the answers might help other newbies too.
Answers:
1. Depending on how “close” you are hoping to be I’d get over to the fest about 9 or 930am you will already be behind some because of the number lottery, but if you get in line after them you should still get a good spot. You will want to go to the box office at the front gate to get your wristband before getting in line.
2. You absolutely can place a tarp and leave. The tarp policy is if you see an empty spot you may occupy it until the owner returns and even then they will likely welcome you to stay. As you are travelling alone you may want to do this anyway rather than getting your own tarp as it is a wonderful way to make friends.
3. Flashlight likely not necessary if you are not camping but why not come prepared? I suggest a headlamp
4. Size tarp is up to you, as I said as a single you may want to float tarps. If you leave the tarp without something on it it could blow away. You also could possibly get away with just leaving your chair. No one will take it at Folks Fest
5. Number line starts at mid-night as a single this may not be necessary for you. Realistically it is a half mile from your tarp spot to the shuttle and vice versa. Shuttle will drop you off very near your car tho.
6. Wildflower pavilion has smaller more intimate shows the whole time, to my knowledge these have not been announced yet.
7. Times will be listed.
As a long time Folks Fest vet I say you have selected a wonderful adventure for yourself. I go with my whole Family at this point ages 8 to 65. kids, young adults and seasoned vets alike all have a great time.
As the festival draws near if you want to drop me a pm on here I could possibly be of more assistance and if you like you’d be welcome to share a spot on our group’s tarp at some point as we have line waiters and runners all set up.
Cheers! Nate Grant
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