Tarp Tantrums

[helixer]

Belle's idea sounds great!

[Goody]

Hmmm, this topic has been on my mind since returning form Telluride. I'll chime in as it’s something I haven't been able to let go of.

1st time PB festivarian here, single, 30, no kids, helluva dancer  . However, I have been to multiple festivals all around the Mid-West and beyond. I've never seen or heard of tarps at any of them. I like free for all. I really really disliked the trap aspect of Telluride. Side note: Even if the traps had rings of fire and electric fences around them with laser shooting cats atop scratching post towers I'd come back to Telluride next year. I had a great time!

I generally place a small blanket out in the back someplace and plop down my belongings and then see about working my way up close for some never before seen dance moves. I'm in it to shake a leg. I'll return to my area for maybe 1 set of music per day or to just grab a snack or two out of my pack and that is about it. I had no real problem finding a slightly vacant location to drop my small pack on. I think it lived most of its Telluride time on the fence along the left side. My issues lied in the logistics of not being a person who sits for duration at a festival.

Things I'd like to see if the tarps can't be just plain outlawed, not in any order just as they come to me.

1. Something other than a tarp to be used. Surely there has to be a more responsible choice/alternative out there than a non-recyclable tarp. Plus they are slippery when wet. I'm sure some of you take good care of your tarps and reuse them for years, but I saw several make their way to the trash that weekend.

2. Limit the size of tarps. What I mean by this is no more tarps for 12 people that will be there later. I liked the idea someone above stated of "4 persons" per tarp, whatever size that is decided to be.

3. Reduce "Tarp World" by about 15%. I'd like to see an area in front of the sound area as a tarp free zone. A lot of festivals I go to put in an actual wood dance floor in this location. People can dance with a decent view and not block anyone else view. Also reduce the area where tarps can go on the sides up near the front of the stage. Just cut down on the angle a bit. All of my dancing was at such a high angle on the sides that I could never really take in the whole stage view. I kept bouncing form side to side during each set. Except for Sam Bush, got caught in a lengthy dance off. 

4. Staking down a trap with thousands of sandal/bare foot festivarians seems ultra silly yet I saw it and witnessed the negatives. Why? I think this would be remedied if the tarps weren’t so big. No need to stake down a 4 person tarp with you or your stuff on it.

That's about it. I felt like the tarps/rules of the Telluride festival (I assume it’s similar at the others) were in place to get me to sit down. I don't want to sit down. I sat down in a jeep for 14 hours just to enjoy the festival. I gotta dance!

See you all next year.

           


 Listening to: Cornmeal - Feet First

[Cindy Lou]

I have two 5'x7' tarps which is what at some point in the past it used to say was the allowed size, one for me and one for a spare.  I don't know when it changed, but I still have my little ones that I use at festivals unless I'm with a group who puts down a bigger one.  I do know that at Telluride this year we had many who weren't necessarily with "the group" on our tarp, but when we're at festival, we're all "the group".  Not one was asked to leave or made to feel like they didn't belong there. 
When I first started going to Telluride we just left our tarps there for the entire festival. Actually looking back at old photos it was mostly blankets and very few tarps, and some folks just slept out on the blankets!  Or someone would go out around 4 or 5a.m. and put down a blanket, way before the days of any lines even existed.  We brought our high-backed chairs, coolers, chaise lounges, whatever, but since the festival has gotten so big, some things have had to change.  I still remember the guy who danced up front holding his big ol' dog in his arms!  Dirt, no grass, a rickety sound booth, guys riding in on their Harleys and parking them on the rope that served as the "fence".   Paper tickets you wore in your hatband.  But, as with just about everything in life, when it gets more popular, there have to be guidelines.  There will always be folks who feel like they are above the rules, in just about every aspect of life.  They are the ones who probably complain because it is cold in June in Colorado, or something silly like that.  Then you have the ones who adapt, conform, roll with the punches, embrace the changes, and still come back year after year.  PB puts on a great time, but it's up to the individual as to how they want to roll with it; you're either happy or you're not.  If you are, you'll be back. If you're not, then by all means, let that ticket go to someone who will truly appreciate it.

This isn't directed at any one individual or group, so don't think that I'm picking on anyone.  Just my 2 cents from years of happy times in Telluride. And yes, I realize this is in the Rockygrass category; I'm not senile yet.  (SUR)