it's nasty, expensive, and all the seating areas are taken huge waste of time

[BrantinBuffalo]

My wife and I have been traveling across the country for years to TBF.
We have now brought our daughter for 3 years now. We have had great luck meeting great people in the Family area. Last year we were surrounded by several great families, all the kids got along and played and had a great time! We all shared drinks and food and fun was had by all!!!! Sounds like you didn't do your homework before you took your family on vacation.
Looking forward to my daughters 4th festival!!!

 Listening to: The News

[mahgeetah]

So this guy has been going to rock concerts and festivals all over the world and this is his first time smelling weed? Give me a break.

That being said, I can see why some people could have some of the experiences he described. This was my first Telluride, and my girlfriend and I had an AWESOME time and plan to go again. But honestly, the seating situation at TBF is a little ridiculous. I understand the history of the event and how the current system of tarps and seating has evolved, but I don't think it's a good or necessarily reasonable system.

First of all, it's not feasible (or remotely desireable) for everyone to camp out all nite in line or show up early enough to get a good spot. We camped at Warner Field, and a couple days we got there a little over an hour before the gates opened and we got okay spots for two chairs. No tarp, just two chairs. No real big complaint there, but even though everyone says its the "unofficial rule" that an open tarp is up for grabs, the reality of our experience, and the various new friends we made at the fest, is people weren't very accomodating. The typical situation we had is finding an enormous tarp with 2-3 people on it for most the day. Although those people always said "sure" when asked if it was okay if we crashed their "temporarily," it was never comfortable. It was obvious that we were invading their space and were being scrutinized or under watchful eyes. It was hard for me to understand why groups of people stay up all night to get a big tarp up close, only to monopolize a large space of prime viewing area for never more than a handful of people at a time. I understand that these are big groups of friends who are all camped or staying together, but they are never all there at the same time, so why the huge tarp?

I can see why the system has evolved this way, but I think the organizers should take a look at the fact that at almost any point in the entire day, a 1/3 to 1/2 of prime viewing spots are unoccupied, and that seems a big waste to me. Especially because there are people like the guy who started this thread, who show up with family and if you walked in at 1PM with a spouse and two kids, any spot for you to fit into is probably over by the dumpsters near the food court where the sound and view isn't the greatest.

Some ideas I had that could improve this situation is perhaps restricting the size of tarps. The other would be (I don't know if it's possible) to add a second stage of music that would spread people out more, and encourage people to move around so that people aren't so bent on monopolizing the same space all day.

I do attend many other music festivals in this country, and while they all have their unique advantages and disadvantages, I would say the tarp and seating situation at TBF is by far its biggest disadvantage and something that could be improved.

 Listening to: Drive-By Truckers

[Hooch]

I would like to take this opportunity to call "Same Seats" for next year!  Myself and my Utarpia crew love our spot.  It is very precisely selected.  Doc Mike has southern limits our latitude due to wanting a clear view of Ingram Falls during the day.

[landshark]

Same seats,, wouldn't that be great!

I did notice the huge tarps this year,,, space mongers

[RockyMtnGuy]

..Figure I'll add my 1/50th of a dollars worth as well here  . 

  I think the original poster, like others have implied, entered into the whole festivarian experience with a less than festive outlook.  I find it hard to believe that he was unable to see even one act, nor find some available tarpage or space for he and his family.  I've been to 3 TBF's thus far and have never had any problem finding a seat with a good view (there aren't any 'bad seats' ... unless you choose to sit right behind a speaker tower).   Regarding asking to share some tarpage, we've never had a bad experienced nor received any disconcerting looks or glances.  Maybe I've just been lucky and was always blessed with meeting folks that have true festivarian demeanor.

  Regarding the mammoth tarps, I do agree with the previous poster that questioned the reason behind that.  I'd always thought that tarpage was limited to 10 by 10 or 12 by 12.  Perhaps that can be better enforced.

  I think the original poster may well be one of those folks who chooses to not make the best of things and had several preconceived notions about what the experience would be like and had his mood set afoul upon not seeing his expectations come to fruition.

  RockyMtnGuy

 Listening to: Spring Creek Bluegrass Band -- Big Al's Blues

[mahgeetah]

I agree about the mindset coming into it...that's why we were still able to have such a great time. It was like this: 1) we're in this amazing, beautiful place 2) there's a way cool vibe to telluride 3) the lineup is stellar 4) the seating arrangement sucks ..... okay, well, there's no way I'm gonna let #4 ruin all the other great things so we'll just a bitch a bit and do our best to get in where we fit in. Believe me, the seating arrangement bummed me out more than I've been bummed out at almost any festival (minus Outside Lands and the 45 minute waits for bathroom and beers), but how the hell do you let that ruin your experience given everything else that's going on? That's why I still find it hard to believe this guy's been going to so many said concerts...because every concert and festival has some drawbacks as far as dealing with crowds, lines, viewing lines, obnoxious people, etc. and the issues at Telluride are not layered that deep.

It just seems to me that the tarp deal can be modified or resolved in some way. Even if people are very hospitable while you "crash" their tarp, there's nothing relaxing about knowing that at any moment right in the middle of one of your favorite band's set, just as you're catching a buzz, you might get booted out.

[dawgwannabe]

Sounds like the person hasn't done big festivals; smelly people come with them - esp when you have to pay $2 for a cold shower. People are smoking pot in Colorado? Shocking.  Can somebody put a flag pole with a big leaf so I know where in 2009.

I've shown up a few years and only had an issue inside the grounds once. It's a pretty peaceful place, and there is always a place to sit. Not sure where he was looking.

The sound? Except for Ryan Adams last year it was wonderful.

I have my problems with Telluride, and you won't find me in Town Park again. But for a festival of its size, it's about as well run as one can expect for mere mortals.





 Listening to: Chris Stamey - Travels in the South

[landshark]

People are smoking pot in Colorado? Shocking.  Can somebody put a flag pole with a big leaf so I know where in 2009.

 

[radivino]

can't think of a better place I would rather "waste my time"
the old saying that one man's trash is anothers' treasure holds true
expensive?? the joys that flow freely in that box canyon are priceless

blessings to all...........good luck in the tp lottery

 Listening to: credits rolling to the film "Nowhere in Africa"

[Mandojosh79]

I got a bunch in my sock.... and almost got a blister...
my beer was served in this weird flimsy cup....
I had to poop whilst hovering over the porta john
and at one point... I shit you not, it frickin snowed.... June dude... Snow...
NEVAR AGAIN>

[Hurricane M]

  Dam dirty hippies!!   You can't tell the boys from the girls!  ...and turn that music DOWN!!!...if you want to call that noise "music"!!!     Buncha commie pinkos!!!  Go take a bath, you liberal tree-huggin' long-haired druggie freaks!!    And next time, wear some underwear wouldya??

[Flagstaff Jess]

Dam dirty hippies!!   You can't tell the boys from the girls!  ...and turn that music DOWN!!!...if you want to call that noise "music"!!!     Buncha commie pinkos!!!  Go take a bath, you liberal tree-huggin' long-haired druggie freaks!!    And next time, wear some underwear wouldya??

You can make me take a shower at Telluride but you will NEVER, EVER get me to wear underwear.

You understand - NEVER!  I never have and I never will!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flagstaff Jess]

Dam dirty hippies!!   You can't tell the boys from the girls!  ...and turn that music DOWN!!!...if you want to call that noise "music"!!!     Buncha commie pinkos!!!  Go take a bath, you liberal tree-huggin' long-haired druggie freaks!!    And next time, wear some underwear wouldya??

You can make me take a shower at Telluride but you will NEVER, EVER get me to wear underwear.

You understand - NEVER!  I never have and I never will!!!!!!!!!!!

As a matter of fact I am at work right now and I am not wearing any underwear, so if I won't wear it at work you can damn sure believe I won't wear it at TBF

As a matter of fact, I just might change my plans to go to British Columbia next summer just so I can show up at Telluride and not wear any underwear.

Why I intend to start a movement - NO UnderWear in Town Park

Underwear is stupid
Underwear is redundant
Underwear just snags on the sequins of your dresses
Underwear is itchy

UNDERWEAR is Un-neccessary, evil and un-welcome at Telluride!


You hear!!!  NO UNDERWEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you with me????  Can I get an amen?????

ok...I feel better now...

[landshark]

WHAAAAAAWHOOOOOOOOOOO AMEN TA DAT SISTA!!!!!

[monkeygirl]

Jess... you've got a song in there sister. 

Sing it loud!  Sing it proud!  The NO UNDERWEAR Song!!

hehe

xoxo R