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!!
Quick question for veteran volunteers: What's your advice about how volunteering effects how much food you bring? More (since we'll be on the farm longer?) Less (meal tokens?) Last year (non-volunteer) I was surprised at how little food I ended up eating... and prepared even less.
- Zac
BTW, glad to see other NoVa peeps here. :-)
Do you have your ride figured out? We have some people in the DMV rideshare thread that are looking for rides and/or passengers
I'm sorta in the same boat as you, actually; I'd love to carpool or ride-share, but not sure what to do about my gear, etc. (I drive a civic...)
So we're 38 days away and the pre-festers know they are doing pre-fest. I put down Toll Booth on my app and was wondering how long it'll probably be before we are told what area we are assigned? Since Toll Booth workers have to park and camp away from other volunteers, I'd kinda' like to know ASAP.
Well in advance of leaving home, I chuck a couple of those bigass 1 gallon Deer Park water jugs in the freezer. After about 4 days or so, they'll freeze solid and last year they stayed frozen in my cooler for damn near the whole 5 days (my cooler was in my tent). I also froze about 12 normal water bottles and those went in too, and the whole thing, once packed, was filled in with loose ice cubes. That thing stayed really cool for most of roo. As I mentioned before, there's a shuttle for volunteers which will take you straight out to Walmart-- not sure if this is operating for prefest, but it was up and running all throughout the festival last year. This was a great way to replenish ice and food alike (it's a Super Walmart for those that don't know, and so it has a full grocery store in it too). While I do certainly agree that it's better to bring too much food than too little, most of what I ate last year was Nature's Valley granola bars (which-- if you'll excuse the possible TMI-- also served as a handy way to cutdown on the number of "number two" trips to the oft-hideous portopotties) and then a couple of Subway subs from Wally, and of course the meal tokens that were dispersed to Volunteers. I didn't bring any cooking gear last year and likely won't this year either-- just not worth the space and hassle imo.
Great tip on freezing the 1 gallon water jugs. I'll definitely try that out.
Just about time to set up, clean and waterproof the tent. The storms last year and in 09 were soakers.
Great tip on freezing the 1 gallon water jugs. I'll definitely try that out
just can't stress enough how much time it takes-- don't put it in the freeze the night before you hit the road and expect much ice-- these are some bigass jugs and they take a while to freeze. Another cool thing about them though (no pun intended) is that huge divot they have on their base (like the deep dimple on the bottom of a wine bottle)-- I felt quite safe in just freezing a whole gallon bottle without pooring any off for expansion. I was able to keep the safety seal in tact and between the bottom divot, the handle impression, and all of those ribs, it froze fine without ever cracking open or leaking.
And I have a correction-- the size I'm talking about it not their one gallon size, but their "stackable" 3 Liter size:
Hi, please excuse this message from the newbiest of newbs. I just decided to volunteer (and was accepted) yesterday because my friend got a press pass and got to go for free and needed someone to come with her. I want to do tollbooth because I'd be finished the fastest, but would I not be able to camp with her then? When I called Bonnaroo they made it sound like once the festival opened to everyone on Wednesday, the volunteers could camp with everyone else. I just don't want to be split up from my friend.
Post by travelinbeat on May 3, 2011 15:39:12 GMT -5
I don't know where your friend with the press pass will be camped, however volunteers are free to camp in gen. pop. if they'd like. The only drawback with doing so is that you will not be able to move your car at all until the fest is over. Your best bet would be to pack much of your gear in her car and have her bring it with her to camp. Ideally, you would camp throughout your volunteer time with only the barest of minimum gear because you'll have to hoof it all over to hers if / when you move over to be with your friend. I'm assuming you and your friend are going to be carpooling? If so, she should take the car to her site and you should just take light gear (since she may have a tough time getting into the volunteer site if you were to take the car).
I understand not wanting to be split up from your friend, but I truly think you may find it more hassle than it's worth to relocate after your volunteer hours. There's nothing wrong with just meeting at 11am at Centeroo and hanging out until 2-3am when Centeroo winds down, then doing it all over again the next day. This also kind of forces you and your friend to talk to people and make new friends-- this is a HUGE part of 'roo-- you should be meeting people, especially as a volunteer!
Hi, please excuse this message from the newbiest of newbs. I just decided to volunteer (and was accepted) yesterday because my friend got a press pass and got to go for free and needed someone to come with her. I want to do tollbooth because I'd be finished the fastest, but would I not be able to camp with her then? When I called Bonnaroo they made it sound like once the festival opened to everyone on Wednesday, the volunteers could camp with everyone else. I just don't want to be split up from my friend.
I'm pretty sure tollbooth volunteers are required to stay until their shifts are over by Friday 6pm, but then can move to wherever they want to after that. I'm not sure how they enforce that though. Regular volunteers camp in a different area and can move if they choose to do so once the campgrounds are open to the public, I believe. Only volunteers can camp in the volunteer camping areas.
Has anyone done POD volunteering? I'm wondering about their camping because it says you camp at your pod, not with the other volunteers? Can anyone give me more info good/bad thanks in advance
Wondering about the compost positions that take place from 730-130 daily. Are these jobs terrible? I imagine with that heat the trash is pretty bad. But working during the cooler part of the day and finishing before the big shows start are big plusses. Has anyone done these jobs or know how they are?
I understand not wanting to be split up from your friend, but I truly think you may find it more hassle than it's worth to relocate after your volunteer hours.
A Friday to you Travelinbeat, for several bits of sound advice! I'm a virgin and toll booth wanna' be also, and am wondering the same thing about moving after my shifts are over. I have been reading on here for a couple of months and am bringing a tent, an EZ Up, 2 coolers, fans, headlamps, tarps, glowsticks for campsite, etc. I don't see me lugging all my Leno somewhere else after I get it set up in toll booth camp. I wonder if I'll be virtually alone after toll booth duties are over for everyone?
I understand not wanting to be split up from your friend, but I truly think you may find it more hassle than it's worth to relocate after your volunteer hours.
A Friday to you Travelinbeat, for several bits of sound advice! I'm a virgin and toll booth wanna' be also, and am wondering the same thing about moving after my shifts are over. I have been reading on here for a couple of months and am bringing a tent, an EZ Up, 2 coolers, fans, headlamps, tarps, glowsticks for campsite, etc. I don't see me lugging all my Leno somewhere else after I get it set up in toll booth camp. I wonder if I'll be virtually alone after toll booth duties are over for everyone?
I have a feeling I might not move. I wont like walking out that way a bunch, but we're right along the taxi route. I have a bunch of stuff too and want to stay near the car since I have an expensive DSLR and might not even take everything out of the car anyway. I even got my ride (zacd) interested enough to switch to tollbooth on his app so that it'd be easier to camp together and we could share supplies.
I hope they tell us real soon to confirm we're tollbooth. I almost feel like havin a lil tollbooth or general volunteer meetup and maybe stayin at a cheap hotel Monday night before we head in. I saw some hotels, like in McMinnville, for only $50ish (and they have a Walmart there too). Would be nice to get 1 last night of sleep in a real bed, maybe some free breakfast, and a good last, real shower...
Update:
I have a question. How do they secure volunteer areas to make sure only volunteers are there and whatnot? do they gate off these areas or something?
I understand not wanting to be split up from your friend, but I truly think you may find it more hassle than it's worth to relocate after your volunteer hours.
A Friday to you Travelinbeat, for several bits of sound advice! I'm a virgin and toll booth wanna' be also, and am wondering the same thing about moving after my shifts are over. I have been reading on here for a couple of months and am bringing a tent, an EZ Up, 2 coolers, fans, headlamps, tarps, glowsticks for campsite, etc. I don't see me lugging all my Leno somewhere else after I get it set up in toll booth camp. I wonder if I'll be virtually alone after toll booth duties are over for everyone?
i did toll booth last year, and i don't think anyone moved their camp. it is a LONG walk to centeroo however, so be prepared to stay in centeroo once you get in. the people directing us where to park were kinda nazis about how much camping space we had, but once everyone got parked and the nazis left, i just walked across the "street" to an open campsite and set up there. I wasn't right beside my car, but it was just 6 steps away and in sight at all times.
as far as securing vol camp for vols only...i have volunteered the past 2 years and neither time did they have someone watching to make sure it was just vols. last year, they even started parking people in the toll booth camp that wasn't occupied.
Post by travelinbeat on May 4, 2011 14:22:56 GMT -5
The volunteer campsites are supposed to be for volunteers only, and they are fenced off, and occasionally I saw someone posted up at the entrance looking for credentials (like the lanyards volunteers have). For the most part however, I think that the area could have been very easily infiltrated.
i did toll booth last year, and i don't think anyone moved their camp. it is a LONG walk to centeroo however, so be prepared to stay in centeroo once you get in. the people directing us where to park were kinda nazis about how much camping space we had, but once everyone got parked and the nazis left, i just walked across the "street" to an open campsite and set up there. I wasn't right beside my car, but it was just 6 steps away and in sight at all times.
as far as securing vol camp for vols only...i have volunteered the past 2 years and neither time did they have someone watching to make sure it was just vols. last year, they even started parking people in the toll booth camp that wasn't occupied.
Do you remember when WET notified you last year that you had toll booth for sure?
One more question guys, I applied and paid my 25. Do I wait now until I get my acceptance or do I first pay the deposit and then wait. I worry Im too late to apply and I dont want to pay 250 for nothing if I dont get accepted.
One more question guys, I applied and paid my 25. Do I wait now until I get my acceptance or do I first pay the deposit and then wait. I worry Im too late to apply and I dont want to pay 250 for nothing if I dont get accepted.
I believe that I would go ahead and put the deposit down now. You're already in for the $25 app fee and if you were to not be accepted as a volunteer, you'll get your deposit back.
All I know right now is that tollbooth is 10am-2pm Tuesday and I think during fest is 10am-8pm. I'm just wondering if WET gives us info in the mail, an email, or maybe they just tell us where to check in by email and everything else is done during check in on site... We get our wristbands there, I'm assuming?
Even if people dont know for sure for Roo WET, comparing with WET volunteering at other festivals should give a good idea. How long before the fest do we get any kind of confirmation of our shift (to ensure we got what we asked for. disregarding prefesters, wanted to make sure i got tollbooth opposed to during fest) and other info in a packet or email? A week before check in?
All I know right now is that tollbooth is 10am-2pm Tuesday and I think during fest is 10am-8pm. I'm just wondering if WET gives us info in the mail, an email, or maybe they just tell us where to check in by email and everything else is done during check in on site... We get our wristbands there, I'm assuming?
Even if people dont know for sure for Roo WET, comparing with WET volunteering at other festivals should give a good idea. How long before the fest do we get any kind of confirmation of our shift (to ensure we got what we asked for. disregarding prefesters, wanted to make sure i got tollbooth opposed to during fest) and other info in a packet or email? A week before check in?
Last year you got your schedule at check-in, and not a second before. At check-in you also got 2 shirts, wristband, lanyard, and some other things. Last year was a bit of a fuster cluck--- the check-in was done in two stages-- but all in all it worked out just fine. The main piece of advice I have for 1st time volunteers is BE PATIENT!!!! WET stays EXTREMELY busy with everything and you will OFTEN feel very very ignored and left out of the loop-- this feeling passes by day two of the festival, but unfortunately right about now is when it really starts up.
ah ok. Yeah, I figured we dont know our schedule til we're there, but we should be told if we're tollbooth or during or post fest for sure soon. Most/all of prefesters should've known by now.
I was just wondering if they mailed you anything, but sounds like they just give you everything there, minus check-in directions that are likely emailed?
I work with kids. I have plenty of patience, lol... (at least, I think I do)
Yep. I would expect email confirmation of your assignment (tollbooth, during, post) soon and another e-mail with directions just before the festival starts.
Patience with W.E.T. is definitely key. Don't stress out on small things and be flexible. Check in does tend to be chaotic but once you set up camp, it's all good. Several folks (including me) never got a shirt but they were nice enough to mail one after the festival.
Okie dokie. I'm hoping by staying in a hotel, I wont be completely irritable by the time I check in opposed to driving overnight.
Anyone else stay in a hotel nearby Monday night? I'm thinkin of gettin a cheap hotel room in McMinnville Monday night. They have a Walmart there, lots of stores around, etc. I think the only 1 left available at a decent price in Manchester is the Hampton Inn. 1 last night of sleep in a real bed, free breakfast, etc! Would be cool to meet others doin the same
Has anyone done POD volunteering? I'm wondering about their camping because it says you camp at your pod, not with the other volunteers? Can anyone give me more info good/bad thanks in advance
I have done POD before. It def has its Pros and Cons...
Pros-
You def feel like you are more involved in the festival, and more "in the loop" or something like that
You just sit at a tent most of the time, help people out with their questions, give out water ( by the way if u go to any of the pod tents they have free water, you just have to ask for it )
you are by the medics, so you get to see some pretty... ummm...entertaining... people... ( this could potentially be bad though, but everyone i saw was just humorously Efed up, not scary Efed up )
-- though its officially frowned upon, you can just sleep through ur shift if its an overnighter.. just bring a comfy chair to the pod with you
--- freedom...i just sat there making mixed drinks at the tent and coming back to the POD and drinking.. this is officially not allowed though, and we were even told not to do it anymore once ( but that is because people were just openly drinking beers while working... be smart / not obvious and u will be fine ) a few corn trips to the tent as well... makes the 6 hour shift go by a little smoother...
get paid! - if u do it for a few years in a row, they will actually pay you to volunteer ( i think it was 250 ) as well as the free ticket...
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You def have to camp by your POD.. .. the campsites surrounding the artwork in each pod is where you will camp...if you try not to they will ask you to move back to the POD area ( this happened to me ) i assume u could move camp once they let everyone else in.. but then have to hike back to work your shifts... i put this in the middle because this can be good or bad, depending on your POD assignment ( i was in BFE at POD 1 for 2008.. would have liked it much better at any other POD )
by the way anyone who left on monday in 2008 from BFE remember the guy tripping balls going just apecrap that morning?? - one of my best bonnaroo memories!
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The Cons-
Longer shits / more time worked
YOu wont work with your friends if u are volunteering with any... they basically split u up, one person working has been there a few times and is getting paid, and one newer person who is just volunteering... the paid people do have to work longer shifts, 8 hours i think, and they work every day..i think..
no chance at all of being given a job where u can see / at least hear a band while you are working
the possibility you have to work monday.. my friend had to do that, and this has pros and cons, if u really wanted to walk around the amount of stuff u could groundscore is unreal... its kinda sad how much stuff people just leave at bonnaroo... trash to whole cars that i assume wouldnt start or whatever, but plates stripped and everything,.. they werent coming back for it... myself i was ready to go home by that point, but the guy who ate the 20 hits that were turned into lost and found in a bookbag made it entertaining.. see above...
i know this is a long rambling post, if u have any questions i didnt cover u can shoot me a PM and ill get back to you
Thanks for the detailed response! On the pros side-I definitely like the idea of sitting in a shady tent for my shifts-I'm "older" and standing in the sun/heat being a trash talker last year came close to making me rethink volunteering.
On the con side-being a trash talker last year I got to my shifts a little early and asked to be posted by the stage I wanted see/hear. and I didn't know about the monday possiblilty, that could be a problem...
My biggest concern was the camping, I was concerned about camping with only 1 or 2 others at the pod and being out of the volunteer camping area. I like seeing a bunch of different people and mingling.
That being said I edited my application the other day and filled out their pod application so I guess I wait to hear if I'm accepted...
That being said I edited my application the other day and filled out their pod application so I guess I wait to hear if I'm accepted...
any idea of what the odds are?
Not to give anyone any false hope here, but from the volunteers I spoke with last year, WET did an absolutely amazing job tending to the desires of as many people as possible... in my experience nearly everyone got what they wanted (except of course for all the 1st timers who wanted prefest)
For those that have worked with WET before, how well of a job do they do with band and friend requests if you're a volunteer veteran?
It's worth keeping in mind that no one has ever worked with WET at Bonnaroo more than once. That having been said, I went with a total of four people (counting me), three of us had our preferred band wishes respected. The whole work with your friends thing is new this year (I think).
For those that have worked with WET before, how well of a job do they do with band and friend requests if you're a volunteer veteran?
I don't think being a volunteer veteran provides an advantage with friend requests.
For Pre-Fest last year, I saw W.E.T. accommodate friend requests and assign them to the same tasks where they could.
No idea what they do for During fest but I have to believe they try to sync up your shift schedule with your 3 friends so you can plan on having more "off" time together.
I'm during-fest (only way I could go with work) which is why I'm kinda worried about it. I volunteered in 2009 and I did not have the same schedule at all as the person I went with. He barely had to work and I worked 3 4-hour shifts.
I was hoping since I had priority this year and we got everything in extremely early (i.e. the very day they opened applications and deposits) that that would help out our chances of working together and getting our band request.
Would be cool to meet others doin the same 
