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!!
Believe it or not, some people go to Bonnaroo for the music and art, not just to get messed up on substances and alcohol.
You Said, "To put it simply in the words of a fellow Bonnaroo attendee and friend, Bonnaroo is "adult fun world." It is not a place for kids. Endless concerts that go all night. Drastic temperature changes from hot days to cold nights. A relentless sun that will burn any unprotected child. Loud music, drugs, sex, long lines, little to no tangible shelter (unless you have an RV). It is not a festival experience built for children who are unable to talk or walk."
1. Endless concerts that go on all night. Why would parents take the kids to this in the first place? This has nothing to do with a family trip to Bonnaroo.
2. Drastic temperature changes from hot days to cold nights. Just like in Ohio, we wear coats when it gets cold, and strip down to our summer clothes when it's hot. Common sense and easily taken care of.
3. A relentless sun that will burn any unprotected child. This is just insulting to parents who have enough care and good sense to put sunblock on their children.
4. Loud music (earplugs), d.rugs (I don't give them to mine), sex (When did you watch someone have sex at Bonnaroo??), long lines (ala Disney World??), little to no tangible shelter (unless you have an RV). Apparently you would never take the kids camping.
Also, "I am sure you are aware of all this, and with this thread, you are clearly preparing to take the actions necessary to ensure that your daughter is well taken care of at Bonnaroo. However, as a parent, I want to ask you why are you going to Bonnaroo in the first place? Are you going to Bonnaroo to be a babysitter? Or are you going to party and have a good time, free of inhibitions?"
Why are they going to Bonnaroo in the first place? Could it be that there are so many people from around the country to meet? The fantastic installation art? The exclusive Family Camping area? The big mushroom shaped fountain? The clowns, giant bouncy slide, recycling crafts, hoola hoops, mini instruments, face painting and bubble machine at Kidz Jam?
Not to mention good old fashioned DANCING. and MUSIC.
There is clearly much more to Bonnaroo than you have discovered. I suggest you go just one year sober and see what it's like. You're missing out on a lot.
But hey, if Bonnaroo is your get-away party time, that's COOL TOO. It's probably better, though, NOT to tell other parents that they need to experience the Roo like you do.
Post by kristiroeowen2 on Jan 3, 2010 18:39:35 GMT -5
Okay, so I had to open a new account because I lost my old email, but I posted last year about taking babies to Roo, and we took our son, Arthur, who was 15 months. He had a great time, played in two drum circles, and learned to walk at Roo. I am working on an extensive Bonnaroo with Baby guide on my blog, but it's just getting started right now. Feel free to ask questions and check out my page, which I will be working on as often as I can.
Post by makisupamerican on Jan 20, 2010 14:20:24 GMT -5
Our baby girl did very well last year, however she didn't leave our campsite very much (6months old at the time), she spent most of her time relaxing with grandma (nannyaroo). We are looking forward to taking her out much more in 2010. She now walks and dances as best she can, she loves music. With the right care and attention the baby and parents can equally enjoy Bonnaroo. Speaking from experience. It has been very helpful to have grandma be our nanny, along for the ride (she saw The Boss and Buffet among others)
Okay, so I had to open a new account because I lost my old email, but I posted last year about taking babies to Roo, and we took our son, Arthur, who was 15 months. He had a great time, played in two drum circles, and learned to walk at Roo. I am working on an extensive Bonnaroo with Baby guide on my blog, but it's just getting started right now. Feel free to ask questions and check out my page, which I will be working on as often as I can.
you opponents of infants/children at the roo... and everyone else should watch this.
i think its up to the parents... if you are ready to deal with the situation... then its up to you. obviously not EVERYONE that attends bonnaroo is a "drug" swallowing maniac out to consume everything in sight. The heat is the biggest issue, and according to the people ive talked to about it, if you come prepared and know what youre up against... you should be fine.
Thanks for posting this video! So true that a music festival can be a very different experience for everyone, and can be an incredible blast for children. Just think of all the crazy art and music a kid can take in through the weekend. It truly is up to the parents to decide if this is going to be a solid discovery and learning experience for kids.
Dedicated, responsible parents are the best. Bonnaroo can be a party, but it can also be a weekend that parents set aside to focus on the kids and have a blast camping and playing together!
I know it's the exception, not necessarilly the rule, but last year it was depressing... there were people there with little kids and the children were terrified, this was right before Beastie Boys, and the parents didn't/couldn't do anything about it. It made me feel really bad.
Then on Sunday some little boy said he bet me $10 he could tie his shoe with one hand. Getting hustled by a 9 year old... what the ?
Later that night, during Phish, it was one of the most digusting things I've seen; families, mom dad kids, tons of them peeing on the wall behind the mist tent.
I'm glad there are people looking to more organize a family safe existence, because what I saw last year was absurd.
Okay, so I had to open a new account because I lost my old email, but I posted last year about taking babies to Roo, and we took our son, Arthur, who was 15 months. He had a great time, played in two drum circles, and learned to walk at Roo. I am working on an extensive Bonnaroo with Baby guide on my blog, but it's just getting started right now. Feel free to ask questions and check out my page, which I will be working on as often as I can.
Thanks for this post! We chose to not bring our daughter (would be 17 months at the time) because we are going with a bunch of friends who don't have kids and we didn't go last year and chose to make this our first vacation as a couple since she joined the family.
However we seriously think we may bring her next year. I know I posted earlier saying I wouldn't, but it would be a different experience. We wouldn't camp with partying friends, we would be in family camping, Emerson would know how to walk and talk at that time and I think it would be an amazing experience for all. We still think we may start small and closer with something like All Good, but I do believe children can be at Roo and it can be a great time.
Bonnaroo isn't all debauchery - I went when 12 weeks pregnant and had a better time that year than the time before. Being pregnant, sober, taking the time to rest and nap and sit and people watch and slowly walk and see the sights and tents and stands between stages really enhanced the whole Roo experience.
Post by makisupamerican on May 11, 2010 13:31:07 GMT -5
^ Bonnaroo isn't all debauchery- This will be the 3rd for our daughter (6 months in utero for the 1st). I have posted on this site a few times and at first it was to ask questions and now that I have the experience, some advice. Hydration and protection from the sun is most important. Keep your little one cool and fully hydrated with large hats, hand held fans, and plenty of water. I wouldn't bring my little girl into the center of an audience, we tend to stay to the sides or a little ways back, under a tree if possible. We can still hear the music fine and she wont get overheated or trampled or exposed to pot smoke. We are a family already immersed in music, a live music experience totally blows her away. She dances, she bangs her little tamborine. And with all the action and sensory overload, she sleeps soundly throughout the night. We are also lucky enough to bring her grandmother as a nanny. Which allows us our nights free to enjoy late night (moderately for most). We always RV it, I have nothing but repsect for families that camp in tents with young ones. The difficulties are amped up I assume. Having the RV allows us a comfortable place for naps, rest times, lunch, to get out of the sun. A backyarigans fix. And at times a confined quiet place to retreat to if needed. As in all life its up to the parents to guide their children. My daughter is only 18months yet understands "thank you" "please" etc. With common sense most parents can guide their children thru Roo in an exemplary way.
SO when you see parents at Kidz Jamz or taking in a daytime show, understand the work their putting in. 95% of the crowd is out for their own good time- as they should. Just dont knock the parents who choose to share a great experience with their kids.
Post by WooHooRooRoo on May 11, 2010 17:31:47 GMT -5
We are bringing our 8yr old daughter. She loves music, loves to sing & dance. She is SO PUMPED!! We explained to her some of the things that she may see, so.... it won't be a complete shock to her!! For all you "haters" out there who say children shouldn't go, you're dead wrong! This will be a once in a lifetime experience for her! Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, DMB, the Black Keys... She will be in ablsolute Heaven!!
It doesnt look like many people are brining kids this year. My 3, 4, and 12 year yold are giddy about bonnaroo, they have been since my wife and i told them they are coming with us this year. I hope there are more kids to enjoy what mine are sure to.
No worries. There are usually a couple hundred kids that come by Kidz Jam each day and they usually bring along some pretty cool parents. There are lots of families who aren't on the Inforoo board. They'd sure be better prepared if they were!
I'm researching taking our baby to Bonnaroo this year and found this article about a woman who took her 5 day old to Glastonbury. There's a link in there to another mom who actually went into labor there, went to the hospital to give birth, then returned a day or so later with her 2 day old.
If these two can do Glastonbury with day-old babies, I don't see why we couldn't do Bonnaroo with months-old babies, especially since we're Roo-vets and have an RV.
To all those people saying you can't have a good time at Roo with a kid because it's either all kids or all party, I have to wonder how balanced your lives are. Isn't it about the music anyway?
Post by kristiroeowen2 on Feb 25, 2012 14:37:29 GMT -5
For the person who stated that the kids before Beasties looked terrified, my then 15-month-old spent the whole day at shows that day, learned to freaking walk that day somewhere between the Erykah Badu and Wilco shows much to his dad's delight, and had an amazing time.
We had a super posh campsite set up in family camping. When you go to a festie with kids, you just have to decide it's ALL about your time together as a family enjoying the music and vibes, and make the kids the focus of everything. We had an amAZING time and I would never change it.
In fact, about six months later, I got this pic in my inbox from the official Bonnaroo email!!! I was like, "Oh my gosh...that's MY kid!!!"
Here's our little Roo during the Beasties show. You can't tell in the picture because of the way his auntie suddenly shoved him up for the camera, but he was having a blast. That little chinese drum thing in his hand was his little instrument for thumping along.
BY the way, this was not Arthur's first, or even second concert, nor was it his last. Right now we are gearing up to take Arthur (now 4), his 4yo cousin, and baby sister Lucy (a year that weekend) to a local festie (love the roo lineup this year but can't afford to go).
Hi, I am bringing my son who will be 18 months to this year's fest and have a few questions. (And just to head it off, for those who don't agree, I have brought a young child to bonnaroo before (my-then stepson at 14 months in '09), so I am aware of the pros/cons and comfortable with my decision. I appreciate all input that is constructive and helpful but nothing negative about bringing kids to roo please.)
We will be in VIP tent camping for the first time, just wondering if any other parents with young kids (or any kids) will be there this year. My 12-year-old daughter is also coming and had an awesome time in '09 in family camping. I have gotten some feedback from The Hill thread not to expect families with kids in VIP but thought I'd check here also.
I also have a question about the best way to keep him comfy and shaded inside centeroo and am considering the following options: City Mini jogging stroller (with cover that extends almost all the way over the stroller and mesh vents to allow air flow. also reclines almost completely flat) Ergo carrier with cover wagon with canopy pop-up play tent (beach tent) for kids
We went to Disneyworld a couple of weeks ago and he was good to go in the Ergo about 60-70% of the time. He slept in it through naptime everyday and it worked really well. However, that was Florida in Feb, with temps in the 70s- not Manchester in June with miserable heat. I'm worried he will get overheated being outdoors in the sun. I have used the pop-up tent at the beach in the past, it's fairly small but not sure if he would be interested in staying in it at all...
For those of you who have brought babies, what worked well (and/or didn't work)? I don't own a wagon but can borrow one, so could really do any option above. Also open to other suggestions! And any other tips or advice of course. I am already planning on the following for him: sunhat swim trunks rash guard shirt with SPF sunscreen headphones- any recommendations on brand/type? I have seen good reviews on KidzGear headphones bubbles handheld instruments (drum, rattle) keen or similar type sandals small books
that is the beginning of my list- more to add but it's a start...
We're all a mess of paradoxes. Believing in things we know can't be true. We walk around carrying feelings too complicated and contradictory to express. But when it all becomes too big, and words aren't enough to help get it all out, there's always music.
;D 
