Rockygass Newbie Questions

[mikeklein]

Hi folks, my wife and I are driving down from Canada to Rockygrass for the first time. We're super excited! We managed to pick up two onsite camping/fest passes (thanks Dana!).

A few questions:

1. On load in, can you drive your car right up to a spot for unloading or do you have to carry it from a parking lot? I had a hip replacement in December and carry heavy loads is a bit of an issue for me. I'm just wondering if I need to worry about bringing a cart etc.
2. What's the jam culture like? Is it acceptable to walk up to a jam and start picking or is that typically frowned on? I guess the crux of the question is what's the proper etiquette?
3. Are there any issues with instrument security? I'm a bit concerned about not having our vehicle near the tent etc. Or is that even something we should be concerned about?

Looking forward to it! I'd love to make some friends on here before we show up!

Cheers,
Mike

[siren84]

Hi Mike,

I’ll try and answer your questions where I can.

1.you can’t drive your car up right to your site.  You will be ushered in to a parking spot close to the onsite camping section.  From there you will have to carry your stuff and more than likely make a few trips.  I’ll be at onsite (tent only) and am happy to help load in with ya.  Sending you a pm with my contact info. Happy to help!

2.  I’m not a musician so this in anecdotal.  You will have no problems walking up to a jam and sitting in.  Folks at Rockygrass are super welcoming.  In the last two years I haven’t heard much jamming at onsite tent camping.  Onsite RV is where I hear it all goes down. 

3.  As I haven’t brought instruments this is a tough one.  I am sure you will make fast friends with your neighbors.  It boils down to comfort level but if I had an instrument I would be ok leaving it in my tent.  That being said, if that instrument was SUPER important to me I would have hesitations.  That being said, I have not had an issue in two years leaving valuables in a tent. 

 Listening to: Grateful Dead...Not Fade away

[mikeklein]

Thanks for your responses and your very generous offer of help.

Sorry one more quick question. I had a hip replacement in December and I'm a bit concerned about walking long distances. If I camp in the tenting area only is there a short cut to the front gate/bathrooms etc or do you need to walk all the way down and then back up?

Basically I'm trying to figure out the most convenient spot without tonnes of walking.

Thanks again,
Mike

[Hooch]

Short is relative of course, but I feel like walking from the camp area to bathrooms and the front gate are very close.  And it also depends on where in the campground you throw down.  You may want to take a minute to scope out the gate & bathroom locations.

[siren84]

Take a look at a zoomable (is that even a word) map of the grounds.  https://bluegrass.com/rockygrass/plan-your-journey/getting-here there are quite a few porta potties in the tent only onsite camping area so you won't have to walk all the way back to the festival grounds entrance to use the restroom.  there is also an entrance to the grounds that is about 30 yards from the onsite tent only camping area.