Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
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!!
Post by everypossibleworld on Apr 5, 2009 14:57:14 GMT -5
In 08, I decided not to let ANYTHING ruin my fun. My insanely optimistic boyfriend started getting negative vibes while we were driving to our exit to enter the huge, what seemed like 10 mile long, line of cars making their way inside roo. I told him to chill and we ended up getting lucky and avoiding the crazy line via the exit announced on the Roo radio station. We still had a 5 hour wait upon entering the farm but with good vibes the wait was harmless.
Went much more minimalist. - Brought almost no food. - Brought less beer (still brought too much) - Brought less water (still brought too much) - Left extra junk at home (just brought tent/supplies, EZup, Kelsyus chair, 5day cooler) Saw 2 more sunrises Met great neighbors and hung with them all night Saturday night
Stayed with my friends just enough to have fun with them, but didn't stress about losing them. Drank some, but not too much, smoked some, but not too much. Didn't wait around for Kanye (too much), saw some great shows I wouldn't have expected to like, made some new friends. Had a ton of fun.
Nothing like being up at 3 AM to inspire me to post....
08 was my 3rd Bonnaroo and, as it seems to go, was better than all the previous. I made sure to practice setting up the tent with Cupcake so that we did not get bitched for space. Put tapestries on the east and west side of the EZup to block the direct sunlight. Did not obsess about finding corn, it finds me . Saw whole sets,feeling the full ride of the setlists. Made friends with the neighbors and made sure they ate the watermelon with us on Saturday. But most importantly I knew it would be hot, knew it would be tiring, knew it would be work on some level, and knew I had to let go of my preconceptions about what would happen during the weekend.
oh and if you dont hear a BONNAROOOOOOOOOO now and then, start one your self. It is infectious!!!
Post by jeffedelic on Apr 10, 2009 17:02:53 GMT -5
Brought an 02 Cool fan. Ran all weekend and let me take naps at any time of the day. Paced msyelf for the most part (although the friday rain ruined that since I had trouble sleeping) I generally just did what I wanted to do. Luckily my group was down to do what I wanted, but I was never being lead around by others like my first year.
Last year, we ditched the tent and slept in a large van instead. Took out the back two rows of seats, popped in a futon mattress and covered it all with an ez up. Set up another ez up for shade, seats, etc. It was great to sleep off the ground, especially when the ran started. Saw a lot of folks with puddles in/around their tents. It was also handy for afternoon naps with battery powered fans hung around the ceiling. Doing the same this year....
- The best thing I did was drive all day Wednesday to a hotel in Murfreesburo. I was able to get all rested, showered etc. then drive all of 35 min. to Manchester on Thursday morning where I was early enough to only be in line for 2 hours. This was so much better than '07 where we drove over 6 hours on Thursday and ended up in line for another 4. The overall effect is that of getting your camp setup early and being nice and rested for the rest of the day. I think it made the whole weekend better.
This is what we are doing in hopes of the same results you got. We couldn't get 2 rooms in Murfreesburo, but got 2 in a hotel about 45 minutes from the farm. I imagine it will help after a 5+ hour drive.
Post by pixiestix21 on Apr 21, 2009 11:53:08 GMT -5
breaking the trip up on the way down and the way back so we don't go insane....also, since we camp for those days in state parks, it gives us a chance to put up the tent once to air it out before bonnaroo. we took it easy last year, didn't stress and saw most of the things we wanted to see.
Post by bonnagayle on Apr 27, 2009 19:04:13 GMT -5
I've been the past three years and every year I learn a little more about what kind of things I need to bring to make myself more comfortable. Last year, one of the best things I did was bring ear plugs. I'm the kind of person who can't sleep when there's lots going on around me - and sleep is so essential. Also, cots - they're so much better than sleeping on the ground or relying on an air mattress that you discover has a hole in it after you get there boo, year '07 Unless you really like cooking, I recommend bringing lots of snacks and buying food when you want a real meal. It's so much easier than trying to prepare something yourself, and if you plan it right it doesn't get that expensive. I brought a bunch of protein bars last year, since protein is supposed to fill you up. It definitely did, and I was able to bring them into Centeroo and avoid having to decide between starving, buying expensive Bonna-food, or making the trek back to my campsite. Last year I wised up and didn't drink too much. Waking up in a sweltering hot tent is unpleasant enough as it is. You don't want to add a hangover to that. Also, I yelled "BONNAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" alot. So satisfying.
Starting in '05 I started doing 2 things differently that really made a difference to me.
1) I carried a small umbrella with me when I went to Centeroo. My hair is not a pretty site when it gets wet, and I get cold easily, so I was soooo happy I could stay dry.
2) I bought this light weight blanket with plastic/vinyl on one side so that you can put it on wet ground and not get your butt wet. The other side is flannel. I have a strap around it so I cant just roll it up, buckle the strap around it and throw it over my shoulders. It is sooo convenient. Now during late night shows when I get sleepy, I just lie on my blanket in Centeroo instead of walking back to my tent (b/c I always feel like I'm missing out!!!).
2012 Wishlist: Radiohead Phish Daft Punk Ghostland Observatory Broken Social Scene Roger Waters Bell X1 Bonobo Chemical Brothers Fiona Apple Built to Spill Modest Mouse
2012 Wishlist: Radiohead Phish Daft Punk Ghostland Observatory Broken Social Scene Roger Waters Bell X1 Bonobo Chemical Brothers Fiona Apple Built to Spill Modest Mouse
Just bought one of these at wally world for ~$17. Battery operated (and you can plug it in at home or if you have a generator at Roo), puts out a surprisingly decent flow of air for its size and cheapness, and even has a handy hook thing on the handle for possibly hanging from your EZ Up/Tent ceiling:
Post by sweetmelissa on Apr 30, 2009 11:54:37 GMT -5
I found one of those Neat Sheets at WalMart. There was only one and it was in the clearence section. It is rolled up and attached to the husband's backpack. Like levus said, I haven't had it on really wet ground yet. It is raining balls today so when I get home I'll give it a try and report back.
wolfaroo~ bring some extra batteries if you don't have a generator or a place to recharge. We bought that same fan last year and the batteries ran down quickly.
Oh, and what I did right this year was telling my husband I was going back with or without him no matter what the circumstances. He was worried about funding the trip.
Post by nitetimeritetime on Apr 30, 2009 17:06:30 GMT -5
Wolfaroo -- those fans are awesome in your tent while you sleep. Be sure to bring extra batteries for it. Ours needs about two battery changes per Roo.
Yeah I figured the claim of a "72 hour battery life" was probably totally bogus. I'll be sure to bring plenty of backup batteries, wouldn't want this little guy dying on me by Friday morning.
1. Staked down the tents and canopy. 2. Paced myself so I could go to late-night shows. 3. Saved up money all year long to spend specifically at Roo. 4. Convinced plasticpepper to come along with us! 5. Went to the inforoo Brunch and met lots of board members. 6. Camped in Tent-only again. It was a pain to get our stuff there but completely worth it.
I am getting pretty good at this I did about everything right this year.
We waited less than hour from getting in line to having camp set up, and our spot was about a 10 minute walk from centeroo.
We had 2 12x12 ez ups so that we had plenty of shelter from rain and sun.
We brought just slightly too much beer, and not quite enough food, so we could share beer, and then got to try some bonnasnacks.
I camped next to an inforooster with three posts going solo to his first 'roo and taught him some of the tricks of the trade.
While I got tired I made the brunch, and pretty much every show I want to see
Also I met lots of great inforoosters outside of the brunch and raged with them here is a partial list of the folks I met
Terrapin, He was stalking me from Asheville on
Jhointn, Raging at Byrne
Lordrockinhood, Zac Brown, and Tobacco
SouthGaSpundaySensei Part of Tobacco
Spacedoutokie He was my neighbor, and we hit up a lot of shows together
The Druid, I taught her how to rage Phish properly with glowies and Blinkies
Sassbox, I only saw you for a minute and gave bad directions, but I was there
Strum and Alyroo, I found them at Byrne because Sammy o gave us both directions to meet him, he was at the Beasties however
Generalstore, I raged Buffett with him and his dad
Roofanintn, Chris I couldn't have done it without you thanks for everything
Sammy, and HooDoo We only met for a second, but I am glad we all got to finally meet
Chefchick, well we didn't get to rage 'roo much this year but we tore Asheville up for sure
Finally Teine, I am glad you could make raging Snoop with you was just about perfect. Thanks for the equipment loans I will try to get it back to you before I take off for Deer Creek.
I am sure I have forgotten some but this list is a good start.
Last Edit: Jun 17, 2009 10:44:40 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
After waking up with a terrible hangover thurs morning, I made the decision not to drink the rest of the weekend. I think this is best thing I did all weekend, decision making wise.
We had 16 or so people in our camp- best thing we did this year was let everyone worry about organizing their own car and get there on their own time. We were all together in tent-only without the stressful drive down keeping everyone together. We packed light, brought a 10x10 EZ up, a gigantic tarp over that for sun and rain blockage (worked so well, the boyfriend and I set up tent right next to it on the northwestern side. We were the last ones up in the morning and the only ones totally dry). Twine was so useful this year! We had only non-refridgerated food, frozen water that stayed cold all weekend, and sleeping quarters were A+ with a blanket, sleeping bag, and pillow. Warm and cozy.
We paced ourselves, made friends with our awesome neighbors, and had a great time.
Next year I'll change my bring-into-roo bag (across the chest left my shoulders sore) and find a wagon. That's about the only thing I could fathom doing differently. OH! And bring ibuprofen, a headache can kill a set you're excited to see.
Post by mphsvoodoo on Jun 17, 2009 13:15:04 GMT -5
This being my 3rd year, I finally felt I got everything right. All I could ask for is to win the lottery prior to going next year so I can buy all the cool things I want
6. Generator. Brought a small quiet generator and was able to run a big honkin box fan, listen to the radio, make coffee, charge batteries, charge the neighbors batteries, move photos off the camera and onto the computer, run christmas lights, etc. all at the same time.
. Saw whole sets,feeling the full ride of the setlists. Made friends with the neighbors and made sure they ate the watermelon with us on Saturday. But most importantly I knew it would be hot, knew it would be tiring, knew it would be work on some level, and knew I had to let go of my preconceptions about what would happen during the weekend. 
boo, year '07
