newbie questions

[mrsmileyns]

Hi there...I am a Telluirde newbie.  My wife and I are flying in from New Jersey and we will attending our first TBF.  We are both VERY excited.  I had a couple of questions and if someone could let me know it would be great.  We are getting to town late Wednesday afternoon (driving from Denver) and staying at the Victorian Inn in town.  Unfortunately we are non-camping sissys

1.  Would it be possible to buy a tarp and chairs in town rather than lug them on a plane?  Might be more money but it might be easier.

2.  How big of a tarp should we bring for 2 people?

3.  Could we set up a small tent anywhere in the venue - so we would have our tarp closer to the stage and a tent in the back to go relax if we want?  Not sure if that is a good idea or not.

4.  I have read 5 posts about how the tarp run works and I still don't really get it   How does it work...especially on the first night?  Are people going to line up at midnight on Wednesday night to get numbers or something?

Thanks...any help would be great.

[Hippie]

 

1.  Would it be possible to buy a tarp and chairs in town rather than lug them on a plane?  Might be more money but it might be easier.

Plebty of Chairs and Tarps available in  downtown Telluride, all within walking distance of the venue.

2.  How big of a tarp should we bring for 2 people?

Big enough for two chairs  - Please remeber to purchase low back chairs if you want in the front section near the sound board.

3.  Could we set up a small tent anywhere in the venue - so we would have our tarp closer to the stage and a tent in the back to go relax if we want?  Not sure if that is a good idea or not.

That is certainly an option, many folks put up shade structures in the rear of the field, it's always more interesting to go share some shade with another festivarian, you'll find very interesting people that don't bite - - much 

4.  I have read 5 posts about how the tarp run works and I still don't really get it   How does it work...especially on the first night?  Are people going to line up at midnight on Wednesday night to get numbers or something?

Die hards line up late in the evening for the following morning, numbers are distributed anytime between midnight and 5 am for the morning tarp run. I would suggest you relax, get a good nights sleep on Wed, and stroll on in for the first day. Get the lay of the land and meet some like minded festivarians to plan the rest of your stay...

prowl around in the forum and many of your newbie questions will be answered.

Welcome aboard

 

 Listening to: old and in the way

[TellurideTom]

Hi there...I am a Telluirde newbie.  My wife and I are flying in from New Jersey and we will attending our first TBF.  We are both VERY excited.  I had a couple of questions and if someone could let me know it would be great.  We are getting to town late Wednesday afternoon (driving from Denver) and staying at the Victorian Inn in town.  Unfortunately we are non-camping sissys

1.  Would it be possible to buy a tarp and chairs in town rather than lug them on a plane?  Might be more money but it might be easier.

2.  How big of a tarp should we bring for 2 people?

3.  Could we set up a small tent anywhere in the venue - so we would have our tarp closer to the stage and a tent in the back to go relax if we want?  Not sure if that is a good idea or not.

4.  I have read 5 posts about how the tarp run works and I still don't really get it   How does it work...especially on the first night?  Are people going to line up at midnight on Wednesday night to get numbers or something?

Thanks...any help would be great.

1. You can get some cheap chairs and a tarp at Wal-Mart in Montrose on your way into Telluride. You can either bring them back with you, donate them to someone, or just toss them. The second would be the best.

2. A 4x8 tarp should be fine for two. A bit bigger if you want more elbow room.

3. You can put up a tent or sun shade in the back of the festival grounds or along the fence on the side. A lot of people do just that.

4. Yes, people start lining up the night before, sometimes as early as 10PM.
The numbers are given out some time very early in the morning.

Welcome to the fun.

[itsRick]

I'm sure you'll get a few more responses but I'll start it off. first welcome to the show.
the answer to #1 is yes you can purchase tarps and chairs at the hardware store in Telluride, or you can find them in Denver.
#2 I think the smallest tarp I've seen is about 4'x8' should be plenty of room.
#3 the area at the back of the venue is reserved for sunshades, I'm not sure if your small tent qualifies? but as long as your not camping in it I don't see why it wouldn't be ok to nap or relax in.
#4  now to the tarp run question. it works something like this. people start lining up whenever they feel like it, it's not uncommon to see people lined up before dark for the next days show. somewhere around day break numbers are passed out, sequentialy, to those in line. this allows them to leave the line get a nap, eat some breakfast, whatever. about an hour before first act, they start letting people in, in groups of about 10, to make the run for there spots, about 30 seconds or so later they let in another group and so on. the tarps are picked up every night and the line begins again. there are 2 lines one for the Townpark, warner field campers and the other for the condo and other campground crowds. I hope that explains it? keep in mind, you are welcome to "squat" on anyones empty tarp, we encourage it, it promotes the Festivarian spirit. more longterm friendships have begun on tarps than you can imagine. I hope I was able to clarify things? if not hang in there and we'll make sure you get the information you desire.you can set up your shelter in the rear as a sort of base camp, and place your tarp somwhere closer. there are no bad seats.

 Listening to: Bela and the Flecktones/ TBF 07

[itsRick]

one more thing about chairs, to sit up front, the chair must be low enough that you can't roll a basketball under them.

[Maineahhh]

hi mrs. smiley! Nice to "meet" ya!

what they said.

(I just really wanted to say hi  )

[Hippie]

I have a new name for Maieahhhhhh

Drum Roll Please....

Sarita the good Witch of the North

 

 Listening to: music for tonights radio show

[Auntie Hope]

Welcome to the Madness!

Don't sweat the tarp thing, you'll get it after the first day, and like Rick said, you can be squatters the first day, no problem.

For Rick:
"Listening to: Bela and the Flecktones/ TBF 07"
That was a sureal set for me! Thanks for the Flashback, Brother!

Auntie Hope 

[RockyMtnGuy]

Like many have stated, the tarp issue is not a necessity (tho, many have said that ones life is not complete until they've participated in the tarp run )  This will be my third year there .. and .. like was alluded to, Fesivarians are a very sociable crowd .  There has always been ample tarpage real-estate that is available for the asking (well .. before 7 pm .. after that .. can get pretty crowded).  There are chairs available at a few stores in town there, or, stop at a walmart or outdoor store on the way from Denver (you'll go by at least a dozen of them).  The tent at the back shouldn't be a problem .. there were a few of them I'd seen over the years.  Those sun-shades are really cool, tho, and .. a great means to meet other Festivarians in search of shade or shelter from the rain. (by the way, pack for the full gamut of what mother nature can throw your way .. have seen rain, snow, dust-storms  .. heh .. like they say .. if you don't like the weather in colorado, wait 5 minutes, it'll change   .. oooh .. and ... DON'T forget SUNSCREEN!).
  Good Luck and GodSpeed

    Kevin

 Listening to: Paolo Nutini -- New Shoes

[danfromiowa]

Ya know, I just remembered that I have a question about tarp etiquette:  I've only been to TBF once (2006), and I had trouble convincing my tarp to stay in one place.  I thought I had read about rules regarding tent stakes, or other means of securing your tarp.  I've been looking, but I can't find anything on the forums right now that talks about this.  Are there rules (or suggestions) about the use of tent stakes?  Any other suggestions, if tent stakes are verbotten?  Any help would be greatly appreciated, and sure to be rewarded with an adult beverage of your choice, should our paths cross in June...  (note the picture:  I'm the one with the antlers...   )

[TellurideTom]

Ya know, I just remembered that I have a question about tarp etiquette:  I've only been to TBF once (2006), and I had trouble convincing my tarp to stay in one place.  I thought I had read about rules regarding tent stakes, or other means of securing your tarp.  I've been looking, but I can't find anything on the forums right now that talks about this.  Are there rules (or suggestions) about the use of tent stakes?  Any other suggestions, if tent stakes are verbotten?  Any help would be greatly appreciated, and sure to be rewarded with an adult beverage of your choice, should our paths cross in June...  (note the picture:  I'm the one with the antlers...  )

Short tent stakes are fine. Just be sure they aren't long enough to reach the sprinkler system! Less than 9 inches should suffice.

[Auntie Hope]

*cough*cough*cough*

(pssst.. Tom, I think it's the same as warner field, just flip that 9 to a 6)

*cough*cough*cough*





Oh me, oh my. Such a tickle in the throat. (Shut-up Ron)
I'm sorry, what were you asking dear?

Auntie Hope 

 Listening to: Silence...finally... at 2am...during the first week of Spring Break.

[danfromiowa]

Thanks!   I'll play it safe and go with the lower of two - less than 6 inches.  

[mrsmileyns]

thanks everyone for the information - I really appreciate it - I had two more questions if anyone can fill me in:

1.  What kind of clothes should I bring?  I know I should be ready for anything and not just bring shorts...but do I need to bring all out winter gear?

2.  Like I said we are staying at the Victorian Inn - they told me when we get there Wednesday afternoon or evening that we can drive into town if we tell security (or whoever) where we are staying.  The Victorian said they will give us a parking permit and we can park in one of a few places they wil have for us.  Does this sound about right?

Thanks again everyone. 

[Debbiefromtucson]

[:

1.  What kind of clothes should I bring?  I know I should be ready for anything and not just bring shorts...but do I need to bring all out winter gear?

  YES!!! and if you live somewhere like Arizona or Florida- pack like you are going to the Artic!  It gets really cold at night and has been even known to snow.