Too Smokey!!!!!!!

[DesertStream]

Attending Telluride Bluegrass Festival has been a bucket list item for me for over 20 years!  This year I was thrilled to attend all 4 days!  While I expected there to be some smoke in the crowd, I was sad to experience the extreme level of smoke, day and night, so extreme at night I had to leave and listen to live streaming on KOTO!  One of my greatest concerns is for the children in attendance and their exposure to this!  Seriously, during the entire festival, only one kind person asked us if we would be bothered by the smoke if they lit up.  Most of the time we were surrounded by smokers and it did make our experience far less enjoyable than it would have otherwise been.  In earlier years, I know the Festival did not allow alcohol or drugs and promoted a more family-oriented festival.  I wish it would return to a more family-friendly festival and leave the excessive drinking and smoking to other festivals.

 Listening to: Nickel Creek

[Pirate Looks at --]

Huh? You must have been at a different festival. I find that the smoke level is no problem at all, and if it is intense in one spot, it will be gone soon. Sorry that things got troublesome for you. I have been coming to the Fest since 2001 and while they don't want you to bring in outside alcohol they have always sold it, and quite frankly looked the other way when it came to smoking of what used to be illegal in CO. But since the legalization, I can't say that there is anymore smoking going on. You might try hanging out where the sunshades are as that may be a little more family Friendly. Also they do have a kids tent where your kids can have a blast and that should be pretty smoke free.   

[BanginBlue]

I agree with Pirate. The only real difference between this and previous years were the (hysterical) PSAs. In my experience at least, the smoking that happens at BG is about on par with any outdoor fest.

[nfire]

maybe try merlefest op.  no alcohol on grounds.

[rettlerSCI]

No Alcohol = No Telluride Bluegrass

Where would you think a majority of the revenue comes from for such a festival? Ticket sales help pay for the performers, profit comes during the festival.

[petefrane]

Isn't all the beer donated by New Belguim?? If so that's a great profit for the Planet!!! 

[landshark]

Drinking just like smoking is and should be offered as a choice. We are celebrating, Festivating! However, lots of rookies out there more concerned about"did you get a hit, I didnt geet a hit did you" and then tons of social chat. No attention to the band. Like setten free a group of 17 year olds in a Liquor Store

I thought is was a bit more of a distraction and I know this will be one heck of an interesting Social Experiment. Sign of the times perhaps.

I know you guys think Im stuffy but just go to a bar so I can hear the music

Sensory overload! I love fest and happy people so really whatever

[PhillyGirl]

I felt compared to every other fest I've ever been to (this was my first TBF) that this was the least smokey of any kind I've encountered. I am a smoker of both varieties and I at least felt myself being more conscious to look around and see if there were kids nearby before I took a drag/hit. I've never thought twice about it at any other festivals and I felt like others around me were using the same caution. Must have been your section.

[IMHBTR]

Could not agree more Phillygirl. As far as tobacco goes, I've never seen people make the effort to be considerate like they do at TBF. As far as "kind" goes, seemed no different to me than any other year. The only time I think things ever get a little wacky are when the sun goes down and most everyone is well oiled. TBF is not comparable to other festivals. TBF is a unique fest and one of the reasons why the other big fests are no longer something I wish to attend. Merle is the most sedate which is fine because they serve no alcohol but that's apples and oranges.

 Listening to: Comes a Time-Jerry

[MrEdyoulis]

Consideration should be key when/if you decide to spark up.  Avoid blazing when there are kids around.  And know your dose, smoking endlessly will not get you mobetta but it will drain your satchel.

[greg_from_aa]

Attending Telluride Bluegrass Festival has been a bucket list item for me for over 20 years!  This year I was thrilled to attend all 4 days!  While I expected there to be some smoke in the crowd, I was sad to experience the extreme level of smoke, day and night, so extreme at night I had to leave and listen to live streaming on KOTO!  One of my greatest concerns is for the children in attendance and their exposure to this!  Seriously, during the entire festival, only one kind person asked us if we would be bothered by the smoke if they lit up.  Most of the time we were surrounded by smokers and it did make our experience far less enjoyable than it would have otherwise been.  In earlier years, I know the Festival did not allow alcohol or drugs and promoted a more family-oriented festival.  I wish it would return to a more family-friendly festival and leave the excessive drinking and smoking to other festivals.

Sorry that you had a bad vibe. My haircutter here in Ann Arbor has serious health issues from the e-vapor vendor right next to her in the basement space she works in. I think the strong winds at Telluride this year blew a lot of bad lung stuff away; at least compared to what I inhaled last year. While I agree that Merlefest is very anti-light up (but less so alcohol), Delfest is a free-for-all, despite the rules; I do think
folks at Telluride would respect a request to move somewhere else if the smoke was offensive, if you told them so.  I do agree that the effects on the young-ones aren't considered, both auditory and lung-wise. But I can't throw a stone because the 1st concert I took my daughter to was a Greatful Dead concert at Stanford when was less than 1 year old! To this day, she is still not a DeadHead.

 Listening to: TRB 2014 audio. This is what a jam band should be!

[ruffnrocky]

TBF was never ever a wholesome family type festival but families have certainly been welcome. The reason the festival because so popular was because it was a destination where the musicians could go and cut loose, get high, drink and not have to worry about the law coming down on them. That was the draw for New Grass Revival in the early days. TBF has always been about live and let live and personal responsibility. 35 years ago i was one of those goofy kids smoking joints all day on a tarp and now I'm a 60 yr old smoking a lot less but still having the time of my life. Glad you crossed it off your bucket list and hopefully you will return and relax a little more and enjoy the best music festival in the World.   
 

 Listening to: Hayes Carll - KMAG YOYO

[The Jackson 4]

 

 Listening to: Bela CSO TBF 2014

[The Jackson 4]

TBF was never ever a wholesome family type festival but families have certainly been welcome. The reason the festival because so popular was because it was a destination where the musicians could go and cut loose, get high, drink and not have to worry about the law coming down on them. That was the draw for New Grass Revival in the early days. TBF has always been about live and let live and personal responsibility. 35 years ago i was one of those goofy kids smoking joints all day on a tarp and now I'm a 60 yr old smoking a lot less but still having the time of my life. Glad you crossed it off your bucket list and hopefully you will return and relax a little more and enjoy the best music festival in the World.   
 

OK

[rossstevens]

TBF was never ever a wholesome family type festival but families have certainly been welcome. The reason the festival because so popular was because it was a destination where the musicians could go and cut loose, get high, drink and not have to worry about the law coming down on them. That was the draw for New Grass Revival in the early days. TBF has always been about live and let live and personal responsibility. 35 years ago i was one of those goofy kids smoking joints all day on a tarp and now I'm a 60 yr old smoking a lot less but still having the time of my life. Glad you crossed it off your bucket list and hopefully you will return and relax a little more and enjoy the best music festival in the World.   
 

OK