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Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Hey everyone. I've been lurking around for a couple of months and I'm ready to pop my post cherry. First off, this will be my first experience with anything the magnitude of Bonnaroo. I've been to a couple of smaller festivals in the Tampa area (Livestock), but nothing like this. There are six of us from Tampa RVing it up to VIP. We obviously can't wait...
Anyway, most of my questions have been answered by just browsing the board for a few months. I'm very appreciative of all of the 'Roo veterans who take the time to answer questions.
So, the main question I have right now is about theft at Bonnaroo. How do you go about securing your campsite and valuables during headline acts, when most people are attending the show? I assume that a lot of the protection during the weekend comes from becoming friends with all of the other people in your area -- and everyone kind of watching out for each other. But during the main acts, most everyone will be gone.
I apologize in advance if this is addressed in other threads. I've see a few references about locking money in gloveboxes, chaining down generators, etc. But what about TVs, PS3s, satellites, etc that can't be locked down. Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
Post by strumntheguitar on May 17, 2008 13:37:12 GMT -5
I would tend to suggest just leave any TVs or PS3s home because they're not needed at the Roo, but that's just me
As far as theft, I never felt nervous to leave my coolers and belongings sitting out during the festival... but then on Sunday night when it all clears out my cooler and chairs were yanked by some bastards...
So if you have an RV I really don't think anybody is gonna hop on inside while you're gone and run off with a TV or anything
Just using the TV, PS3 stuff as an example. We have 6 people on a 20+ hour RV trip -- that's what that stuff is primarily for. That and I'm sure I'll want to kick back and catch a baseball game on the tube at some point during the weekend as well.
Anyway, what about security? I know there will be a heavy security presence in Centeroo, but what about in the outlying areas?
Post by plasticpepper on May 17, 2008 14:25:11 GMT -5
Yeah, leave all that stuff at home. No need for those kinds of entertainment at Bonnaroo!
As far as other stuff...I just threw my ipod in the car when we left the tent...I think that was about the only real valuable thing with me. Clothes just stayed in the tent, there's no need to worry about that stuff. I would say in most cases, if it's valuable enough that someone would want to steal it, there's no reason to have it at Bonnaroo anyway. I would recommend packing stuff away Sunday night before WSP though, because there does tend to be a bit of theft when people are clearing out, like strum said.
Post by bamadancer on May 17, 2008 15:24:37 GMT -5
Basically, don't leave anything super valuable out in the open. I mean, chairs and coolers and stuff is okay, but not your money or anything! All that stuff needs to stay locked in the car. Clothes in the tent, etc. Our first year my friend did have her backpack swiped because she left it out in the open all night...lost all her money, her credit card, phone, ID, etc and a large amount of party favors as well...needless to say she wasn't happy. Theft isn't extremely common at the Roo, but be smart and be safe, just as you would anywhere else!
Post by Ian'sGotAFeeling on May 17, 2008 16:28:36 GMT -5
Bonnaroo is an escape from the world for 4 wonderful days. You need not worry about bringing anything of value as it will just add to your list of things to worry about. My suggestion is to just take a sleeping pill or two for the trip to Roo. That way you will be good and rested for the great time you will have.
Post by itrainmonkeys on May 17, 2008 19:52:07 GMT -5
-Lock your car. -Bring an extra set of keys......there's nothing like locking your keys in the car and looking around/waiting for a locksmith........it's horrible.
-Put anything of value to you that you DON'T want stolen in your locked car.
I'm not saying there's a lot of theft........but you never know who may be walking through your campsite and what their state of mind is.
We always leave our cooler and chairs and stuff out.....but anything important was always locked up because you just never know. Some people have gotten pipes stolen or soemthing small.....but I wouldn't suggest leaving a lot of valuables out
Post by Darth Boo Boo Kitty @#*& on May 18, 2008 6:11:16 GMT -5
You're in an RV in VIP, so you don't really have anything to worry about. However, to tell you how we do it...We camp in tent-only and we do bring a few things that are valuable. There are 8-12 of us depending on the year, and we always have three Quick Shades. When we all leave camp we put everything of value in one of the Quick Shades and then wrap tarps around it. We zip tie them, so it would take effort to get in. Anyone who wants to steal anything at Roo won't want to go to an effort. We've never had any trouble.
Post by anicwilliams1580 on May 18, 2008 9:39:49 GMT -5
We left our cooler and everything just out and about with no problem last year, but we didn't really have anything valuable anyway. Just don't leave money out in the open and make friends with all your neighbors, ours were great last year.
If you're keeping anything of value in a tent I would recommend using a lock. Combo luggage locks are great because you don't have to worry about keeping up with keys.
I know the lock doesn't look like much but it will deter the 'crimes of opportunity'. Or as my Mom would say, a lock just keeps an honest man honest... A crook will get in anyway.
Last Edit: May 18, 2008 10:21:29 GMT -5 by pisgah - Back to Top
Post by inertiaticc on May 18, 2008 11:11:19 GMT -5
If you're nervous about money, some random stores, like Gadgets and Gizmos, and maybe Spencers, sell soda cans and hairspray cans, among other types of containers that have an unscrewable bottom. you can store your money in there and no one would ever know the difference. here's one.. www.bwild.com/spdicansa.html
anything else of value i'd keep locked in the car, out of view.
Post by rideincircles on May 18, 2008 11:27:18 GMT -5
From what I hear, if you bring a pirate flag it will get stolen no matter what. I drove by a place with a bunch of flags for sale, so I might buy one and test this theory, or see if I can make it through with it intact. I will probably bring my Texas flag also.
We do tent only, so no car to lock anything in. But nothing really to lock up anyway.
Beyond that, our camp was right near the entrance to Centaroo.. And right along the main path. A lot of times we'd come back and some thirsty Rooer would have 'borrowed' a bottle of water from our cooler. No problem though, they always left something of 'value' in return. We'd come back to some pretty cool stuff on the cooler an in it too. we don't drink beer, but it was a nice gesture.
Here is a thread about some crap that happened last year. We were in VIP, as we will be this year too, and we had no trouble. Meet your neighbors and make friends. They will watch out for you and you do the same for them. I did chain my generator, I'm not that trusting.
Good thread jhunt. It's my first year as well and I had been wondering about that too. I have also been lurking on site for awhile and am now also popping my post cherry. I used to live in Bradenton and I've been to Livestock a couple times too. It's the only festival I've been to before, but I absolutely loved it both times. I'm so excited for this. Not worried at all about heat or anything. I figure if I can survive 2 1/2 days outdoors in FL heat/humidity with porta potties that as far as I know don't even get cleaned every year, much less every day, than this is going to be a breeze. The first year I went, one of the porta potties in the cluster nearest us was actually burned down by the last day.
Good tip on the lock pisgah. Me and my crew are gonna wait and see what kind of location we get before deciding whether or not to do tent-only, but I think I'll get one of those just in case.
I've really been enjoying reading this site the past week or so, I'm glad I finally posted. God I can't wait!
"...when it comes to that fantastic note where the rabbit bites its own head off, I want you to throw that f**kin radio into the tub with me." -Dr. Gonzo, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Post by the3penguins on May 19, 2008 9:57:44 GMT -5
After my experience last year, I can only emphasize KEEP VALUABLE WITH YOU OR LOCKED UP! And that's anything valuable to you. We were in tent-only and my friend's backpack got stolen the first day. Nothing of valuable in there for a thief, but something very valuable for us: the car keys. We had to wait almost 24 hours on the farm to get a locksmith and tow truck, an absolute nightmare and a terrible end to our Roo experience. So keep an extra set of keys, keep them on you, and follow the suggestions for locking things up. True, most people at Bonnaroo our great, but it only takes one jerk to really f*ck you over.
get one of those key-keeper magnet things. when you get to roo, crawl way under your car and attach it to something. it's really, really unlikely that someone will crawl under the car to find it and - in the event your stuff is stolen, you'll have a backup.
keeping it on you is a good idea too - but i never want car keys on me during roo... im already carrying enough crap.
Post by tentseasurfer on May 19, 2008 11:32:56 GMT -5
I will be chaining a rabid baboon next to my tent. I've been training him on a Chewbacca doll so he's Wookie Ready.
Don't sweat losing stuff. Make friends with your neighbors...99.9% of the people I met were super cool. I found it amazing how you could leave your stuff outand no one messes with it. If you want, you might want to bicycle lock your cooler to a chair...it just makes it harder for someone to just stroll off with it. Just an idea.
I'm going to cover my pirate flag in poison ivy juice...that'll learn those flag thieves!~!!!
B put down his bookbag next to the fountain for less than a minute (at night), and some assh0le decided to steal it. It had his wallet, car keys, camera (our only one), and other random stuff in there. Guard your stuff!
MY 2 cents after close to a decade of going to festies:
1) Putting a lock on your tent is just asking for unwanted attention.
2) Lock everything of value up in your car when you aren't around to protect it and you will be fine.
3) Your first task when you arrive is introducing yourself to all of your neighbors. Thsu creating your own neighborhood watch. This is good not only for stealing of things but to just look out for each other's health as you survive the heat.
4) Always adress randomn strangers wandering through your camp, say "Hi", offer Water, and ask their Name. Sketchballs will be freaked out by this and leave you alone. Cool people will become your friend.
5) If I have to carry my wallet with me it always goes in the front pocket.