I'm new to TBF and a fiddler. Best way to experience the festival?

[Fiddler2]

How do the jams work?  Do you have to stay at your own campground or can you wander?  What is night grass?  Any suggestions for getting the most out of the festival are welcome!

Thanks,
Carol

[Hippie]

  Welcome!
I'll try for your questions... First of all spend some time reading the threads here. The best way to get involved in good picking at this festival is to be camping in one of the campgrounds. Impromptu picks in lines and on the street do pop up form time to time. The best way is to be in a campground.

Find a group of musicians who sound interesting. Usually a simple nod will be enough of an invite. Nature will take it's course from there.

IMHO the best picking in Telluride happens in Town Park during the 5 days before Festival starts. No wristband is required and there are dozens of top notch jams happening. They encompass many levels of playing, find one that suits you and join in on  the fun.

Then come up to Run a Muck for a shot o crunchy frog.

There I did it all in one post folks 

[Fiddler2]

Thanks, Hippie!  We're staying in Mary E Illium.  Can you go to the other campgrounds or do you have to stay at your own?  I really am new, what and where is Run a Muck?  Crunchy Frog?

[Hot Sugar]

Thanks, Hippie!  We're staying in Mary E Illium.  Can you go to the other campgrounds or do you have to stay at your own?  I really am new, what and where is Run a Muck?  Crunchy Frog?

Crunchy frog is the official bad decision of Camp Run a Muck.

In Town Park, there are several historic camps. Large groups of people who have been coming to the festival for years. They end up in the same spot year after year and generally have the same people in them. Run a Muck is one of these.

You can visit Town Park in the days leading up to the festival. Once the music starts on Thursday, you will only be able to access Town Park with a Town Park or Warner Field wristband.

Nightgrass is a series of late night concerts held at different venues in town. You have to have tickets in order to go to those. Check out the nightgrass lineup on the Planet's website. I'd link you to it, but I'm on a phone.

I stayed in Illium my first two years. There was plenty of picking happening there, so you should have several options for where to play.

[Fiddler2]

Thanks for clearing that up, Hot Sugar.  I'm looking forward to this!

[RHOFF]

We will be first timers as well and staying @ Mary I camp ground.  thanks for the info. Guitar man and Mando wife