First timer with questions

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We are going to be festivarians for the first time after years of wanting.  Since it is our first time we are not sure what to expect other than a lot of dancing.

We will not be arriving till Thursday evening and have camping at Lawson Hill campground.  We have a lot of different camping gear as well as backpacking equip.  Arriving that late will there be any problem finding space for a big 10x10 tent, folding chairs, table and stove or are we better off going with more modest accommodations?  Will there be food vendors at this campground?

How is the parking?  Is there parking near the campground or would have to park elsewhere and walk a ways?  How convenient is public transportation to this campground?  How late does it go till.  I have a folding bike would that come in handy or more hassle than its worth? 

Thanks for any help you can give us make this first trip a great one.

 Listening to: Bruce Cockburn

[MandoGeek]

Welcome,
I think you can find most of those answers on this forum somewhere. I have never stayed at Lawson before, but I think you should be able to find a spot for the bigger tent, maybe not in the shade though (hmm) Lawson may be the soccer field, bring an easy up if you have one. Also as far as parking goes, you can unload your stuff, then you have to park your car where the parking guys say. Probably up in Mtn. Village, then you take the Gondola down into town and jump on the shuttle bus back up to Lawson. There is shuttle buses that run all day and late into the evening. I would leave the bike at home, just me, but hanging out at 9000 feet is brutal enough without biking it from Lawson. Be prepared to bring everything you may possibly need for the day in a backpack to the festival, having to go back to the campground for stuff can sometimes take a while and people have been known to miss shows. See other posts on stuff to bring. Most of the festivarians are extremely nice so meet some new friends and have a great weekend. Can't wait we are leaving as soon as I get off work today.
Beth

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Thanks Beth,
Yep found a similar thread on Lawson Hill right after I posted.  Sounds like the plan set up a nice campsite then get up and spend all day at the show, certainly don't want to miss any performers.

Whats an Easy up?

[Hot Sugar]

Also, the food vendors in the festival grounds are amazing. They have Killer Falnk Steak ( ), Fried Chicken ( ), the best corndogs that Johnny Cash ever ate ( ) and much much more.

 Listening to: YMSB

[Pen]

An Easy Up is a shade tent.  Usually they are 10 X 10 and most ppl use them without the walls.  Great if you can't find a tree to camp near.

Have fun at the festival!

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We've got one of those but have not used it yet.  Did not think of bringing it thought I might be at the fest in the heat of the day.  I guess it would be handy if it rained at night while cooking and partying though.

[Dewstar]

Over the years, probably the most valuable purchase was my mega sun shade. You will be surprised how hot that sun gets in the morning and its bright too early! bring and work it in the program. I don't think there is any shade on Lawson!

 Listening to: Cindy Lauper? oh no!

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I read somewhere no outside alcohol in the festival but cool in the campground, right?  What about food?  Are we allowed to bring picnic like food into the show?  How closely do they inspect the bags, do you think a camelback of vodka may get by

I feel like I will be at the show each day at 11 am and not get home till midnight, it could get expensive eating and drinking for 3 days.  I know what to pack, I will be bringing everything on Hippies list then adding more of what he may have forgotten.  I am trying to plan the food and drink portion of the packing.  Unless I can bring in picnic food into the fest we only need breakfast and late night food and beverages.

 Listening to: Dead at TP (thanks for the link)

[Dewstar]

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there is a general bag inspect/squeeze but don't go through your junk. NO GLASS is reinforced each time you go through the gates. Hundreds pass through each hour back and forth. YES! Picnic away. Buy from vendors, its hard not to get in the buy you a beer mode! Hell, I don't drink beer anymore (cept Guinness). My premixed drinks will be in large cranberry juice plastic jugs and other carriers. NO they don't taste what you bring. Fresh mountain water is abundantly provided for all important freefills on festival grounds. Test the lines a few times and you will get the groove happy vibe very quickly. Be sure to re-hydrate.

Imagine 1000's of happy streaming peoples strolling and strutting their stuff, families, kids, chairs, tarps, falderal and whatever else one can carry. Its happy happy happy. NO gloom. It won't take you long to figger it all out. Hell, people even sell stuff, too.

I say picnic away and buy from vendors, get a chair massage. Yes, you will spend moneh, but hey this is a lot less expensive than 4 days in Didnyland. lol

click on my name and read through some of my longer posts over the years and maybe they'll help.

Have fun, festivate regularly and enthusiastically and soon you too will be teaching other about this wonderment you are about to embark on.

 Listening to: Bobby Erl Keeen