Ilium traditions

[Boots]

OK. Festivirgin alert!  We're camping at Mary Ilium this year, and are extremely excited about our first TBF. The web's full of great photos and memories shared by you veterans.   Seems there are some recurring events (pot luck...). Now we can show up and find out for ourselves (which we'll do anyway), or you fine folks can share suggestions, hints and inside info about the happenings at Ilium so we can come prepared to take part. So fine.

 Listening to: Doc Watson Alberta

[Hot Sugar]

I have stayed in Illium the past two years and, while it is a wonderful experience, I have yet to notice any traditions like they have up in Town Park or Warner Field. The only tradition I can think of is watching people pick and sing around a camp fire.

 Listening to: New Grass Revival

[runnz]

I stayed at Ilium last year and really enjoyed the experience.  I would go there again this year.......but actually won the TP lottery.  Made a bunch of great friends.............and took naked baths in the river.........

That river is snowmelt.........and cold.......but it beats riding a bus into town to shower..........

[Boots]

Thanks HS.  Pickin around the campfire is enough.

 Listening to: Doyle Lawson

[collinplaysbass]

Shuttle rides back from the festival at night are amazingly fun. Other than that REALLY didnt like Illium.

 Listening to: Ax Men

[Jackalope]

Why not?  Whats not to like? 

[Matt]

Shuttle rides back from the festival at night are amazingly fun. Other than that REALLY didnt like Illium.

See, I'm the opposite, I like it down there, but HATE the shuttle rides.

[Dharmabum]

  We stayed at Ilium last year for our first experience and it was amazing.  We met fellow WVU grads only moments after we set our flag out and they invited us down for dinner that night.  We brought our daughter Lotus who was 4 at the time and she did fine!  She ran all over with other children and the atmosphere was very family friendly.  The picking is always great and I do have to agree that the bus rides back are so much fun!!  You'll meet so many great people in Ilium. 

Some tips we found handy:
1.  Stay hydrated  .  There is plenty of free water at the campsite so take advantage of it.  You'll be glad you did if you decide to hike up to the falls. 
2.  Bring a small solar shower.  It's good for washing up in the afternoons.
3.  Bring plenty of clothing from shorts to snow gear, rain gear and big hats.  It gets damn cold down in the valley by the river at night and you want to be comfortable.
4.  Go to the nightgrass shows if you can  !!!!
5.  Don't hang out in the back  .  Make yourself known and go meet some people!!  After all, they're the coolest people you'll ever meet.
6.  Pace yourself if you're drinking in altitude until you know how you will react.  (For the flat landers).
7.      Play, dance, support all pickers around your site and be sure to stop at each.
8.  Backpack the stuff you'll need for the day.  Ilium is a bit of a trek and you don't want to miss those special moments like when Ferg sang a song for his late father on father's day. 
9.    Wear your Heen with pride 
10.  Smile (as if this is an issue when in Telluride)  you're in the best place on earth!!!!!!



 Listening to: The Avett Brothers- Let myself live

[erndog]

I think the greatest Ilium tradition is entering the Town Park lottery for the following year . . .

[collinplaysbass]

I think the greatest Ilium tradition is entering the Town Park lottery for the following year . . .

AMEN!!!! Couldn't have said it better myself.

 Listening to: Steve Earle - The Revolution Starts Now

[Auntie Hope]

I think the greatest Ilium tradition is entering the Town Park lottery for the following year . . .

Erndog... that was mean... 

[Ron N Deb]

I think the greatest Ilium tradition is entering the Town Park lottery for the following year . . .

Amen to that My Brother ....and Not Looking Back !

[Amber]

I loved Ilium last year and I think your experience there will have a lot to do with the kind of person you are. I'm an introvert and really value my quiet time alone, so it was nice at Ilium because I could kind-of "get away" from it all when I need to recharge my mental batteries.  But at the same time, when I wanted someone to talk to I could just go say hi to any of my neighbors, as there were always people out around a campfire or whatever.

Ilium has a great family atmosphere, which seems to emanate from all of Fest (my ovaries were aching so bad after seeing all those cute kiddos jamming at the performances!). I loved sitting outside my tent and watching all the little kids race their bikes around the turn-about at the end of the road.  I also got to help a mom teach her daughters to skip stones in the river which remains one of my favorite Fest memories to date. 

I loved wandering down to the registration table and buying ice or getting water and chatting with the volunteers.  I met so many cool people.  I also loved sitting by the river and watching the sun come up or set.  Ilium is in a gorgeous location.

I think packing a backpack with everything you need for the whole day is the best bit of advice for Ilium campers.  That way you only need to do one shuttle ride during the day and you don't have to go back to your campsite for warmer clothes or whatever once the night shows start.  One thing I learned last year is be prepared for every change in weather:  hot glaring sun, cloudy & cool, light rain, heavy rain, gusty rain, cold nights... the moment you get used to the weather, it seems to change!