what's with the tarp?

[Psilocybin Brian]

This will be the first year I go to the festival. I see on the TBF site that people run on to the field with their tarps and lay them down for good spots. Then I see other scenes where everyone is just standing there in front of the state with presumably no tarps on the ground. What's the deal with the tarps? When are they used? Are they there to mark off territory where you can put your chairs or something?

[Pass Port]

Hi Brian & Welcome!

People use them when they run in each morning to "claim" a spot to put chairs, stand, dance, etc. Tarps normally stay down until the last 2 sets when everyone gathers their stuff before dark. After you have your spot and appropriate furnishings, it's time to check out the vendors, get a massage, or whatever. Basically during the day people come and go from their tarp. And I say "claim" a spot, because one of the most friendly guidelines at our lovely festival is that any unoccupied tarp can be squatted on until the owner returns. Usually the owner will then invite you to stay. The community around this festival is what brings many of us back year after year! FYI - There can be many large tarps up front, usually holding space for a large group. Many of these stay vacant for whole sets, a perfect opportunity to get up close without the headache it took to get those tarps that close! A lot of the time I find myself dancing on someone else's tarp who isn't there!

Not sure of the shot you saw with no tarps.

[Psilocybin Brian]

Thanks very much for the information, Pass Port. Much appreciated. (I suppose the shots I saw where there were no tarps was during the last two sets.)

[ToddG]

My first year I too was a little anxious over the whole tarp scenario. 1) because I'm usually not the guy who is comfortable asking a stranger to share their space. 2)I felt like all I had read about the process prior to attending seemed overwhelming. But what I found out was that I didn't even need to be that outgoing for someone to offer to share space. And that when it was just my wife and I we could squeeze our little tarpestry thats 3'x5' in between some of the big tarps and have room for our two low back chairs.
I met sooo many people the first year, that the second year I was eagerly excited to meet even more, trade stories, songs, brews etc... And during year two we did some of the same, along with much more tarp hopping and hanging with "strangers".
I've yet to score a number under 500, and still always had a great spot.
But I'm going to echo the things I learned here, and I'm sure you'll hear again: If you have a small 1-4 person group, your first time the two biggest things you need to plan for are getting there as early as you can, like the day your campground opens, and talk to your neighbors, both in camp and at stage. And drink more beer.

[Festival Fred]

Todd, are you telling me that they give out random numbers and the lowest you gotten is 500?
This is way different from Telluride Blues. I would lineup around 7 AM and someone would hand out numbers.
First person in line #1...... We were #40 in line. We were able to set up between sound board and stage all 3 days. I understand what your saying. We call it networking and team work with other Krewe Members.

Krewe = Crew  We are from Cajun Country

[ToddG]

Todd, are you telling me that they give out random numbers and the lowest you gotten is 500?
This is way different from Telluride Blues. I would lineup around 7 AM and someone would hand out numbers.
First person in line #1...... We were #40 in line. We were able to set up between sound board and stage all 3 days. I understand what your saying. We call it networking and team work with other Krewe Members.

Krewe = Crew  We are from Cajun Country

Yep. And saying that even then two people were within the first three rows everyday. But even with that, we spent most our time further back, or with other friends. Fred I've been to Jazz Fest back in 95-96 years, I'm just a bit north of the Cajuns northern border NW Arkansas/NE Oklahoma. Krewe in TBF format equals Kamp/Camp. Speaking of cajuns, ought to add Truckstop Honeymoon onto the list of bands that need to play TBF.

[Australian fan]

Todd, are you telling me that they give out random numbers and the lowest you gotten is 500?
This is way different from Telluride Blues. I would lineup around 7 AM and someone would hand out numbers.
First person in line #1...... We were #40 in line. We were able to set up between sound board and stage all 3 days. I understand what your saying. We call it networking and team work with other Krewe Members.

Krewe = Crew  We are from Cajun Country

Yep, numbers are random. You line up and a number is handed to you. First in line might get 456, the last in line might get 2. It’s super fun and there is NO pressure to be first in line. I love it, so cruisey and easy going.