Telluride Bluegrass Festival '06

[first string]

Hello All,

I am headed out to Colorado at the end of next week for some backpacking, and then it's on to Telluride for the festival. This will be my first time attending, and I had a few questions for any of you have been before (where better to ask for opinions than on the Café).

First off, how early does one need to head to the festival grounds in order to get a good spot? I don't need to be the closest person to the stage, and it would be nice to do some hiking in the mornings, but I don't want to be too far away. Suggestions?

Also if there are any must see places/must do activities, I'd love to hear about them. I already have a pretty busy schedule planned, but I would certainly welcome ideas.

Thanks in advance.

[dang]

--how early does one need to head to the festival grounds in order to get a good spot?

If you have never been to the TBF, then it would be good for you to know that the line starts forming quite early (like when the festival finishes the night before) and that it can be a hard task finding a space for your tarp in the first 3/4 of the seating area if you are not in line by sun up! #Only partly kidding. #The group of ~15 that my inlaws would go with would rotate the responsiblility of getting up at 4am!


--Also if there are any must see places/must do activities, I'd love to hear about them

I have been 5-6 times and the whole region is beautiful! #The hike to bear creek falls is not too long and worth it if you havent been before. #Also, be sure to eat at least one breakfast at "baked in telluride" it is a great little bakery--My wife gets a chocolate filled croisant and has let me know it is a manditory stop!

the workshops take place in Elks park in town, about 4 blocks from the festival grounds and always have amazing shows. #I saw Bush, Grisman, Thile, and Marshall a few years back, and last year saw Bush and O'Brien both of which were utterly amazing! Make sure you check the schedule!

I am really jealous!! Pick one in the gondola for me!

[first string]

Thanks Dan. I can say right now I won't be waiting in line at 4 a.m., if for no other reason than that I am camping at the Mary E. Illium site 10 miles away, and the shuttles don't start running untill 8. But I think I will plan on being in line by 8:30. Hopefully that will be early enough that I'll be able to see the performers without binoculars.

And I will definitely check out the bakery.

Cheers.

[dang]

I usually go in and put a tarp down, and then leave and go hike for a bit or get breakfast...it is quite a scene with the whole "land grab" in the morning. I have never had a problem getting a decent spot, but if you want to read anyones headstock, you will need your binoculars anyway! Don't worry much about finding a spot, you should be fine even though the line may look long when you show up. Anywhere in the festival grounds is a descent view, even when walking around behind the seating area where the vending is.

Really, the festivarians are super nice, and the lineup will be stellar! Make sure you are prepared for scorching days and freezing nights, and the whole festival is broadcast over the local radiostation, KOTO, so bring a radio for those times back around the campsite if you are going to miss any.

FESTIVAL!

[first string]

Thanks again Dan. I'm trying not to think about it too much, or the next two weeks of work will be intolerable. But despite my best efforts I find myself going to the Planet Bluegrass website almost every day to ogle the lineup. It's proving to be much harder than I expected to play it cool. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Strange1]

firststring..I take it you are going by auto. A great trip would be up the million dollar highway out of Durango. Or you can ride the narrow guage. You'll never regret it nor forget it. I don't go to the area very often even tho I'm only a few hundred miles from it but it is still one of my fav palaces to kick back.

Jack

[luckylarue]

Don't forget the hot springs in either Orvis or Ouray. Always good to soak and heal those aching bones (and head), post- festival.