Questions from a new Roo'er...

you won't be overwhelmed, unless you mean overwhelmed with glee and an overwhelming sense of AWE. i went for my first time last year, alone, and had one of the best times of my life. all 3 of you should fare just fine

tent only is pretty awesome. i camped there last year. the benefit of tent only is that you're closer to centeroo (where all the music happens), but the downsides are that you don't have your car nearby and you have to carry your stuff over there to set it up (but in my opinion it's a better deal, because you have a much shorter walk to centeroo for the whole weekend!) there's no limit on the amount of stuff you can bring over. i've heard of people using wheelbarrows or handcarts, basically anything that can move over grass and dirt easily would work for moving things

it's extremely safe, at no point did i feel in danger or even slightly sketched out, everyone was extremely friendly and laid back.

you most likely won't be given a hard time about your beer, i've never heard of anyone having this happen to them. they look for glass and illegal drugs, just about anything short of that and should be golden! you won't have to hide it

there are security checkpoints going into centeroo. you are allowed to bring small snacks and sealed bottles of water (i honestly forget about sodas or anything other than beer not being allowed or not)

i think chairs would be a pain to drag around all day in centeroo, and they have to be fairly low to the ground to be allowed in. i've seen some small folding stools and other contraptions that are more convenient than a typical folding chair, for carrying around.

there are vendors selling ice in the camping areas. another option is to freeze a bunch of water bottles and use those instead, since you can drink them after they've started to melt.

they give you trash bags when you come in, one for trash and one for recycling, and they come around and pick these up after the festival. there are tons of trash cans inside centeroo, and i think there may even be bins that you can throw your bags in, if you don't want them hanging around your campsite.

we're not really s'posed to talk about vending of that sort here, but i would advise against it. people have been burned in the past, pretty badly. wouldn't want you to ruin your weekend before it even gets started!


and this is the bonnanoob bible:
bonnaroo.proboards21.com/index.cgi?board=logistics&action=display&thread=1133837803

Great questions! We're always glad to help!

1.) People at Roo are some of the best people you will ever come across! Even the loud obnoxious ones are only trying to have a good time. No one will f*ck with you!

2.) 'Tent only' is the only way to do GA (general admission)! You can bring as much stuff as you want in with you but, going minnimal is whole-heartedly advised. They usually let people into 'tent only' around 7 or 8 am, so you don't want to get there too early and depending on where your placed (not up to you, dictated by time of arrival), you could have quite a lengthy "lug" ahead of you. Bringing some sort of wagon with you to help your commute is advisable since it's rough terrain and HOT weather. Anything to make it easier...

3.) "They" are looking for drugs primarily, so I wouldn't worry too much about a few beers.
If they search your car, they might confiscate your stash (I doubt it, though)....but you'll still get in. There's plenty of other stuff to keep you occupied on the inside.

4.) No alcohol is allowed into Centeroo (actual concert area)! Unopened water bottles and factory-sealed food items are permitted. No coolers and 'camel backs' are supposed to be emptied before entering. Free water is provided in Centeroo but, I hear it smells pretty sulfuric (tastes fine, though). Water, Beer and other drinks are readily available inside.

5.) Low-backed chairs are allowed in Centeroo but, it seems to be a matter of judgement amongst the security personel. We always bring chairs that sit directly on the ground but, I have seen many people with rather tall folding chairs. Anything that you can carry is allowed at your campsite.

6.) There are many refrigerated trucks selling ice located all throughout the camping area. It ranges from 3 to 5 dollars a bag, so I suggest freezing all of you water bottles ahead of time to cut down on the cost/trips.

7.) They strongly encourage people to keep the site clean by giving out trash/recycling bags. Not only are there trash cans everywhere but, they also hold raffles (shirts, cds, tickets)for people who contribute the most bags during the festival.

8.) I would not suggest bringing any "mind-altering" substance onto the site. If you are interested, you can probably find something once you're there but, bringing stuff in is juat asking for trouble.



Happy Bonnaroo!

(additional questions)
1.)Dry ice isn't necessary but, nice.
2.)Post a flag and you can't miss your tent.
3.)YES!

I'll chime in as well, though there's already a lot of good advice in here.
I know most people on here are big fans of the camping only section, but for someone who admits to being really "girly", it might be a pain to lug your tent, cooler, etc to that section. I like the regular GA because you can have your car right there, its a good place to lock up all your valuables just in case (i've never had anything stolen in 3 years.
As for the Beer, they don't card you when you come in or anything like that, but they are serious about the No Glass thing.
Freezing water bottles before you go is definitely an awesome idea, keeps things cold and you have cold water to drink whenever you need it.
I think everything else has been covered here, as for the blow-up mattress, it just depends on how comfortable you need to be to sleep (remember, sleeping is pretty difficult after 8 or 9 in the morning because of the heat), unless its raining or something i just put a thermarest on the ground under our shade tent and sleep on that, normally sleep better than my friends in the tent.
You and your friends will have a blast, if you're having problems putting your tent up or anything your neighbors will be there to help out. Buying one of those easy-up shade tents at a sporting goods store is a good idea; shade is vital, and those things are easy to use and not heavy. Don't not come because you think you'll be in over your head, you'll have an incredible time!

^i liek the camping mats better than the blow up mattresses. if you get the 20 dollar versions their usually fluffy and nice and perfectf or udner your sleepiong bag

I like the fact that you are concerned about your trash....

I agree with kellican about keeping yourself in sorts while you're there. There will never, ever be a time when you're by yourself...meaning, there are always other people milling about, and 99% of the people at Bonnaroo are good people.

Let your neighbors know who you are...they can keep an eye on things.

just thinking the same thing..exalt! exalt!

I'll be honest. Tent-only was the way to go, but at a cost. It was a couple hours of hell making two trips from the pick-up to the tent-only area. I so wanted to get ripped, but I knew I had another trip to make. All said, it ripped, but I'm 38 this year and will again be putting myself through that hell after driving all night, but the rewards far outway the sacrifices.
In other words, go tent-only.

I am willing to bet if you happen to find a couple guys heading over to tent only, and the 3 of you flash them a pretty little smile they'd be more than happy to help you carry some of your stuff. I know I'd probably be tricked by that as well. (yes tricked, I still adamantly believe all women have some sort of supernatrual power over guys).

On another note, I understand that BFE means that you're way out in the boonies, but what exactly does BFE stand for?

BFE=Bum Fu*ked Egypt