Bonnaroo 2007 advice

[F-Stop]

I've not been to Bonnaroo, but it sounds like something I should do. I know the official artist lineup hasn't been announced yet, but i'm sure it will be overwhelming. Looking at the artist lineup for last year, i'm really sad that I missed it.

Radiohead, Beck, Gomez, Devandra Barnhart, Dungen, Devotchka?? Holy crap why did I miss this?? http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6594/emotcryinggb0.gif (http://imageshack.us)

My question is this. Does anyone have any experience with going to Bonnaroo, but not camping there overnight? I've browsed the 2006 Bonnaroo site a little bit, and I see that there are shuttles available that go to the Nashville airport. (Not 24 hour though, unfortunately)

I've thought about staying in Nashville, but then what would be the best way to get back and forth? I've google mapped Nashville to Manchester, and it's about an hour away. If the 2006 schedule is any indication, and I would assume so, it looks like the music may start up at around 12 PM - 1 PM and go well into the night, ending somewhere around 4 AM.

Please tell me your logistical Bonnaroo experiences...

[Whispering Pines]

There are hotel packages at some of the surrounding hotels in and very near to Manchester that go on sale at the same time that Bonnaroo tickets do. Some of these offer round the clock shuttle service. The others are close enough to get a day parking pass. We're actually considering the hotel option. Not so much the camping and roughing it types.

I'd certainly look into some of the local hotels before driving from Nashville, unless you're just planning to spend some time there.

[F-Stop]

Ahhh, cool. I searched availablilty on one website that came up after I searched 'Bonaroo Hotels', and it showed no availability, so I assumed that maybe all the surrounding hotels were sold out for Bonnaroo already.

The shuttle thing would be great, as i'm sure i'd be exhausted at 4:00 in the morning after a day full of shows, but the prospect of not having a comfortable bed and shower to look forward to at the end of the night just sounds miserable as well. But some kind of sacrifice has to be made to see the awesomeness that is Bonnaroo.

Did you go last year or any of the previous years? What is traffic like? I sort of assume that traffic would be slow going on, Thursday or Friday, but are most people who attend camping? Maybe once they get there, they're entrenched and then traffic would be heavy getting out, but not 7th circle of hell heavy?

[Whispering Pines]

Yeah, we went last year, but didn't go down until Saturday for the Radiohead show. By then traffic wasn't that bad at all. I couldn't tell you about going earlier; I'm kind of wondering about that myself this year.

We did the camping thing last year,and might do it again, but.... Like I said, we're looking into the hotel option, though I'm wondering if that will give the Bonnaroo "experience." I think it's kind of fun seeing what's happening in the camping areas. Another option is to take an RV. They have slots in the VIP section, but they get taken fast so if you are thinking at all in that direction you will need to move quickly.

[kczmrski]

all you need is an air mattress and a pillow. why blow the cash on a hotel? the first shower at home after that long weekend is way too satisfying to miss. the bathrooms in the campgrounds have gotten a lot better. regular port-a-john service. sleep under the stars. it sounds like you'll be stuck on a shuttle service schedule. do bonnaroo right and camp.

[skirob]

I was a first-timer last year. Camped. I can't imagine having to go back to a hotel. It can be very exhausting and the commute may only add to that, however, if they run shuttles 24 hrs and drop you off at the gate, then maybe it's not too bad. The size/magnitude of the whole thing can be a little overwhelming at first. We had numerous tents and a few tarps. I just tossed a therm-a-rest on the ground and slept under the tarp/stars. Much more enjoyable than the stuffiness of the tent. I think the camping in itself kind of added to the whole experience. Then again, I'm a camper and have all of the appropriate gear so that helps. But having neo-hippies, frat guys, 30-something professionals and teenage stoners all co-habitating in such close quarters and somehow getting along, all makes for one interesting experience.

[jeffx]

just camp. it's worth it.

[capncash]

If I were you I would just stay home and wait for the DVD to come out. You probably wouldnt get along well with the people there anyway.

[F-Stop]

If I were you I would just stay home and wait for the DVD to come out. You probably wouldnt get along well with the people there anyway.

I'm sure i'd probably get along with Blabbers :(

Thanks for the replies everyone. I just like sleeping in comfortable conditions. If it were on top of a grassy bald atop Roan Mountain or in my bed at home, either way would be fine. But if I were completely soaked in sweat and possibly mud, as well as it being hot at night, I would be completely miserable.

[Mountain Girl]

Bring a camping shower and keep it in the shade. It helps keep you clean and cool. :)

[kag]

I am NOT a camper, but have enjoyed Bonnaroo the past two years anyway. It helped that I was in the press area, which is less crowded, has better showers/toilets, and is closer to everything than the regular camping area. Plus both years I had experienced camper-guys handling the creating-a-comfy-campsite end of things for me. Even so, by the end of the weekend, I was filthy and exhausted.

I will be hugely pregnant this year, but still hope to go cover the event for WBIR. I am thinking this year, I may rent a camper of some sort and have an actual nice place to sleep/eat/rinse off my face. Otherwise, it may be too much for me in my, ahem, delicate condition.

Being able to go back to a hotel each night to shower, sleep and eat would be wonderful, but I see no way this would be practical. Also, you do get tired at various points during the day, and it's nice to have a campsite to go back to to have a drink, chill out and recharge. Some of the most fun I've had at Bonnaroo has been hanging out at my campsite and others' campsites between shows I wanted to see.

[Ripshod]

Okay, so now I'm thinking about getting out all the camping gear. I only camped off the motorcycle last year, so I'll have to set up the big tent to air out and go through the camp kitchen and get fuel for the big stove and ...
So will I be able to drive out to the camping area to unload, or will I have to carry it from the parking lot? Anybody know how early I can get there to set up? Maybe the day before so I can miss some of the traffic jam?

Kag - are yer camper-guys gonna get your comfy campsite going again this year? If set up our big cabin tent in the press area with two twin mattresses as a big comfy girls' dorm and I set up my sun shower and camp kitchen and tables and chairs under a rain fly and park my little one-man tent outside, can D and I hang out with you guys?

[Whispering Pines]

So will I be able to drive out to the camping area to unload, or will I have to carry it from the parking lot? Anybody know how early I can get there to set up? Maybe the day before so I can miss some of the traffic jam?

I didn't stay in the main camping areas last year, but I think most of the campsites allow for camping right outside of your car. There are a few, I think, that are closer to Centeroo that one would have to park and hike to in order to access. I don't know if these have to be specially reserved.

As for getting there early, the organizers are pretty stringent about keeping folks out until the gates open. There's a KOA campsite next to the Bonnaroo site where some people stay the night before to try to get in line early, but A) I've heard mixed reviews as to whether or not that actually works and B) that doesn't sound exactly like what you're looking to do. I know there were suggestions about arrival times, etc. from last year's blabaroo, but perhaps there were some new discoveries last year that someone could add.

[Ripshod]

I didn't stay in the main camping areas last year, but I think most of the campsites allow for camping right outside of your car. There are a few, I think, that are closer to Centeroo that one would have to park and hike to in order to access. I don't know if these have to be specially reserved.
It's good to know I can probably park next to the tent. Do many folks bring kids? I mean pre-school age kids?
D. and I have a reputation for cooking up some fine grub outdoors. What are the chances of getting a BlabCamp area and sharing a few good meals together?

[capncash]

The camping area is the parking lot. You are required to camp next to your car. it is all 1st come 1st serve basis. the only way to camp with a group would be to travel with them or have them reserve you some space next to their car.

Plenty of kids there. they will be subjected to drug use of all kinds

stay away from shakedown st

[Whispering Pines]

It's good to know I can probably park next to the tent. Do many folks bring kids? I mean pre-school age kids?
D. and I have a reputation for cooking up some fine grub outdoors. What are the chances of getting a BlabCamp area and sharing a few good meals together?

Don't know how old your daughter? is, but we are opting against bringing Hayden this year. He's 2 and a half and although he would probably have a great time, I'm not sure that I am up for that little slice of hell. Maybe next year, though. We talked to some folks last year who brought their, maybe 3 or 4 year old, daughter and they said that their experience about bringing the kid was that it was cool to see her reactions, but it made Bonnaroo definitely all about traveling with a kid. Not much time for mom and dad to let their hair down. I think they had decided to leave her home this year and maybe try again next once she is a little older. Don't know if that is an option, and I think you'll still have a good time if it's not, just different than going sans child.

As for drug use, you'll mostly see (smell) a lot of pot. I don't find this particularly offensive, no one's pushing it on you, but everyone's different. I've heard that in general camping there is more widespread and varied drug use but can't confirm. I was generally struck by what I didn't see much of, at least in Centeroo, which was totally zonked out people passed out and puking all over themselves. I have seen far more of that at local concerts and at Brewer's Jam last year.