Festival newbie travelling with family

[lwall]

Greetings Festivarians! 
I am a complete newbie to this festival.   I have been dreaming about this festival for the last 20 or so years and this year I am going to do it!  It is my 50th birthday year (albeit, my actual birthday is in August) and I am dragging the family along.  My lovely bride is very willing to make this trek.  We have three little children.  They will be 6, 4 and 2.   

Any great words of wisdom for first timers with little kids?   Are we nuts to do this? 

 Listening to: the sound wind off San Juan de Fuca and the sound of a creaky wood stove.

[TBGFan]

Yay! Welcome! Gotta condo? Camping is incredibly fun, but if solid sleep for the family is important, then a condo might be better. There are lots of kids around- tons really- and a whole kids camp with counselors, activities ect right onsite in town park. We've had our kids there and they've loved it.

Volume control is not a problem for little ears until after dusk. It does get kinda loud (though perfectly balanced) for the last couple of sets of any given day, so you'll see younger kids that are still there with headphones for sound reduction. That's really not an issue until say 8:00PM though.

Also, sun tents are all the rage. Lots of families with young kids sport them toward the back. There is actually a designated section for them, but there is competition for good spot, so be prepared to get in line fairly early. Also, in case it's not obvious, there is often unpredictable weather. Especially for the 2 and 4 year old, prepare for anything from snow to 90 degrees. Even 70 at 8750 burns, so sunscreen and hats are critical for the kiddos.

Are you nuts? Nah, but maybe a little brave. What a great first concert for them and birthday present for you!

Happy 50!

[EdBarleycorn]

Congrats! I will also be there celebrating a 50th...my brothers.

I agree with the prior poster...you are not crazy, but you are certainly brave!  There will be lots of other kids, but its important to note that the closest camp grounds are not really kid friendly (and, unless you have a ticket already, you are unlikely to get a company ticket to them) and the other campgrounds are a commute away.  So, I strongly second the prior recommendation to get a condo in town, if you can swing it, as kids that age are going to need down time.  If you are at a condo in town it will be easier to play things by ear when the kids get tired.

Also, as you probably have already read on this board, the temperature differential between a sunny day and a clear evening can be extreme, which brings added challenges for kids that age.  If you are in town, that will make it easier. 

Bring along the kids' favorite aunt or uncle or both!  If you pay for their ticket(s), maybe they will be willing to play babysitter a couple of nights, so you minimize the number of sets you miss.

[lwall]

Wow,  Thanks for the good info.  We are checking into a condo in town and seeing what our options are.   I really appreciate the heads up about the wild temperature swings.    You both mentioned a "family area" for sun tents for kiddos.  Is that at the concert venue? 

Also, are there many pick up jam sessions for crappy guitar players like me.  I am a sloppy flat picker and an even more pathetic mandolin player, but that never stops me.  Are there jam sessions in town like the old "parking lot pickers" of smaller festivals?

[lwall]

What about bringing bikes with kid trailers?  It seems like a good idea to help with moving kids from Condo to concert area.  Good idea or bad idea?

[Pirate Looks at --]

The sun shade area is on the festival site. It is in the back so as not to impare the view of others.  As for Jams there are plenty but they are in the camp grounds (especially Town Park) but you will need a wrist band for that and You get the wrist band with a 4 Day Town Park Pass. You didn't mention what tickets you have for the event. If you have town park passes my advice is start looking for ear plugs for the kids. That is the way to go!

[Skubes]

What about bringing bikes with kid trailers?  It seems like a good idea to help with moving kids from Condo to concert area.  Good idea or bad idea?

Biking around town is great!  I bring my cruiser with me to get back and forth to the library when I need a study session.  Great for grabbing stuff from the grocery and liquor stores, too. 

[TBGFan]

Sun tents are in the back as previously mentioned. Kid's camp is also within reach, but literally just (20 feet) outside the entrance. Yes, yes, yes re the bikes.

[Auntie Hope]

Please tell us if you already have tickets/camping passes, and their location.

[lwall]

Thank you all for the great info.   Unfortunately my time off request from work was denied, so it looks like this is not going to happen this year:( .    Who knows, maybe a last minute miracle will happen, but it is not looking likely.