For all the loner newbies...

[lalagay]

ok, i'm a newbie and was thinking of going to TBF but was feeling chicken and didn't want to go solo but i was reading around the forum and read this post and just bought my tix!

i'm kinda wondering about camping solo and haven't got my camping pass yet-looks like there aren't a ton of spots left? thoughts from the seasoned vets? i know there are ride share places but are there any camp share/condo share type deals?

Good on you for getting your tickets and going solo! 
That is, solo only till you get to the fest/campground, or according to Hope's post, probably earlier than that back in TN! 
In case you hadn't figured this out yet, once you joined this forum, you've blown your chances of being alone   
As for camping or condo, go for camping, definitely! Not only is it cheaper, but it's also the best place for late night jamming, all those special and unique festimoments with all your new festifriends... You don't want to miss out on the fun! In a condo, you'll meet 10 people, in a campsite, the possibilities are infinite!   
When it comes to camp share, that almost comes with the deal, well it does in TP anyway from my experience. Just get there, find a spot, meet your neighbors, nothing is more likely than they'll welcome you into their group! 
Man, the first year is just unforgettable...

 Listening to: Northern Lights - Leave Here Tonight

[libraryvolgirl]

hope-sent you an email bc i couldn't get my pm to go thru!

thanks lala-yeah i'm excited! def down to camp and i also sent in the stuff to volunteer so i figure i can meet people that way. 

i'm kindof on a wide open schedule-how early would you arrive in telluride?

[TellurideTom]

hope-sent you an email bc i couldn't get my pm to go thru!

thanks lala-yeah i'm excited! def down to camp and i also sent in the stuff to volunteer so i figure i can meet people that way. 

i'm kindof on a wide open schedule-how early would you arrive in telluride?

Some of us will get there as early as June 5, but if you can get there by June 12 you can join in some of the early fun.

[lalagay]

hope-sent you an email bc i couldn't get my pm to go thru!

thanks lala-yeah i'm excited! def down to camp and i also sent in the stuff to volunteer so i figure i can meet people that way. 

i'm kindof on a wide open schedule-how early would you arrive in telluride?

As Tom says, the ABGAT Team get there as early as June 5th! If you have the time to do it, do it!
I got there on the Monday of the week of the Fest last year, and it was just about perfect, well, when it comes to Town Park in any case.
Not sure what the schedule for the other campsites is.
Getting there on Monday allowed me to meet everyone, sit in on some awesome late-night jams, organize some awesome pre-fest activities (pyjama breakfast anyone? ), not miss out on all the crazy Town Park Festifun basically. 
Also, there was some pre-fest music happening in Mountain Village on the Wednesday, seeing the Greencards and the Lovell Sisters up close was great! 
Yep, there's definitely lots going on in Telluride before the official show kicks off, and getting there early means you know your way about, where the stores/ATMs/portajohns are located, and get excited when they start doing the main stage sound checks! 

 Listening to: Crooked Still - Shady Grove

[libraryvolgirl]

thanks lala & tom. i'm def planning on arriving early. can't wait!!

[Dharmabum]

Lala are you coming back across the pond for this year??

 Listening to: The Capitals coming from behind to tie it 3-3.

[Auntie Hope]

thanks lala & tom. i'm def planning on arriving early. can't wait!!

Just for general info...

If you camp prior to the day Planet Bluegrass takes over Town Park you must pay the Town of Telluride to camp in that area. This is also true for all other campgrounds used during the festival. The Planet Bluegrass take-over happens the morning of June 12th, this year, for Town Park. Be sure to check the opening day for your specific campground. 

Auntie Hope 

[lalagay]

Lala are you coming back across the pond for this year??

I'd love to say yes to that one, but it seems I've thrown a spanner in the works by getting engaged to an American!  :
No, seriously, me and Dayton had this fantasy about getting married at TBF 2010, since that's where we met last year, but it's not in the cards for us, visas just don't work that way.
But we'll be back to celebrate our union next year!  And there'll be no more crossing the pond for me 

 Listening to: Gillian Welch - I Had A Real Good Mother And Father

[libraryvolgirl]

so arriving early---hopefully folks do some hiking or biking? i do both solo but more fun with a neighbor sometimes

i think i need to start a countdown!

[Hot Sugar]

so arriving early---hopefully folks do some hiking or biking? i do both solo but more fun with a neighbor sometimes

i think i need to start a countdown!

Tom has one up on his website. He's way ahead of you http://telluridetom.com/ IT's down towards the bottom of the page

[HoneyBeeDancin]

Amber,
You are a rockstar for posting this!  I am about to get my tix (I know,  I am a total procrastinator!!!) Will be checking out rideshare!
Thx!

[IndianaJoy]

Thank you for this post!  It is helpful.  I've been to RockyGrass and Pagosa, but this will be my first time at Telluride and the TBGF.  I have a TP 4 day pass.  I am looking forward to meeting new folks and having fun!     I have a few other questions I hope you can help me with....   

1- I'll be arriving on Friday the 11th.  Can you camp at TP that night?  If not, where is a good place to stay? 

2- I've read a bunch of posts on here, but none seem to be specific about where to go... Where do you get in line for the land rush?  Once the land rush begins, what is the best place to head for?  Right, left, toward  a specific hill????   Any place with partial shade?  Close to the restrooms but not too close?  And where are the restrooms in relation to everything anyway?  Where can you hear the stage?  I'm a newbie and will respect those that aren't by not setting up a big camp in their standard area, I'm just looking to get in the right general area. 

3 -The website mentions handing out tickets to folks in line... is that true for the land rush or just the concerts?  If for the concerts is that for the campers too or just the general public?  How does that work?

4- I assume from what I've read that  the land rush is in your car and you drive to a spot and unload and then they direct you to parking... Correct?   Where is the best parking?  I'd like my car fairly close so I can check out the area in the days before the festival.

5- Ideas for must see/do while in the area?

6- Any other advice for what to expect or what NOT to do? 

Just trying to learn as much as I can before I go so I don't offend anyone and so I get the best first-time experience possible!   

Thanks!

[TellurideTom]

Thank you for this post!  It is helpful.  I've been to RockyGrass and Pagosa, but this will be my first time at Telluride and the TBGF.  I have a TP 4 day pass.  I am looking forward to meeting new folks and having fun!     I have a few other questions I hope you can help me with....   

1- I'll be arriving on Friday the 11th.  Can you camp at TP that night?  If not, where is a good place to stay? 

2- I've read a bunch of posts on here, but none seem to be specific about where to go... Where do you get in line for the land rush?  Once the land rush begins, what is the best place to head for?  Right, left, toward  a specific hill????   Any place with partial shade?  Close to the restrooms but not too close?  And where are the restrooms in relation to everything anyway?  Where can you hear the stage?  I'm a newbie and will respect those that aren't by not setting up a big camp in their standard area, I'm just looking to get in the right general area. 

3 -The website mentions handing out tickets to folks in line... is that true for the land rush or just the concerts?  If for the concerts is that for the campers too or just the general public?  How does that work?

4- I assume from what I've read that  the land rush is in your car and you drive to a spot and unload and then they direct you to parking... Correct?   Where is the best parking?  I'd like my car fairly close so I can check out the area in the days before the festival.

5- Ideas for must see/do while in the area?

6- Any other advice for what to expect or what NOT to do? 

Just trying to learn as much as I can before I go so I don't offend anyone and so I get the best first-time experience possible!   

Thanks!

1. Planet Bluegrass takes over Town Park on Saturday June 12 and before that the town of Telluride runs the campground. Late Friday afternoon they pretty much give up on collecting money for campsites, so don't get there too early.

2. There's two entrances to Bear Creek Preserve so there's two separate lines. All the veterans will be in front and grab their normal spots, so just take your time and look around being sure to talk to other people in the area so you don't encroach on a veteran spot. There will be porta-potties all around the area on the main road.

3. Numbers (not tickets) are handed out to those waiting in line for the festival land rush each morning. If you want a spot up front you'll need to be in the line all night, but you can get a decent spot even if you walk in with the general public.

4. You'll be able to take your car close to the entrances to the preserve and unload from there before parking your car. Once your car is parked you won't be able to drive around as there's a barricade and you'll get a ticket if you don't have a barricade pass. You'll be parked close enough where you can visit your car, you just can't drive it unless it's an emergency.

5. There's plenty to see and do in the area. Bike, hike, or just window shop,
and there's plenty of activities going on in Town Park. You'll have a blast.

6. Don't argue with your neighbors or cause trouble and all will be fine.

 

[Auntie Hope]

3. Numbers (not tickets) are handed out to those waiting in line for the festival land rush each morning. If you want a spot up front you'll need to be in the line all night, but you can get a decent spot even if you walk in with the general public.

The numbers are handed out for the "Tarp Run' each and every morning for the festival grounds. This is for the four days of TBF only.

The 'Land Rush' will be the Saturday prior to the festival's beginning. It's not actually and 'rush', more of a gentle walk, for most camps, because of the respect given to 'historic camps' that attend each year, and the parties they organize for everyone's benefit and fun.

Tom, you did an awesome job explaining everything! Thanks again for being "The Mayor of Town Park' during festival each year! 

Auntie Hope 

[livluvgrow]

Hey Lalagay when you and Dayton gettin married? Laure and have a chalet up north of Asheville and aren;t yall livin in Asheville.