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From my tollbooth experience, that's a close 2nd to pre-fest as far as missing less music. We got there Tuesday and were guaranteed to be done by Friday evening, I believe. I volunteered this past year and will do it again, for sure. We (myself included) still had some people that clocked in for their shift but were never given real work. I did maybe 20 minutes of work for my 2 overnight shifts (7pm-7am or so) and got out early since we were waiting around all night with nowhere to go. Still seems like they had too many volunteers scheduled but also have volunteers that know they wont fulfill their shifts or show up at all and need to overbook a bit, I suppose.
Part of me is tempted to do pre-fest but not sure about the long hours myself and then needing to be there earlier. I may do tollbooth again and use the weekend to slowly make my way down there from northern VA. Do a little sightseeing while I'm not tired and anxious to go home to my own bed yet, heh. *shrugs*
Okay for anyone with pre-fest volunteering experiencing, how was it? would you do it again?
My first 'roo was 2010 and I volunteered during-fest. This past year I was eligible for pre-fest and I jumped on the opportunity. It was very fun be out on the farm for so long and see just how quickly everything comes together before the gates open on Thursday. It was also pretty daunting to stay on the farm so long-- last year we pre-fest'ers didn't have showers until Wed or Thur and we all got pretty grimy then by the time the showers did arrive, they were swamped with fresh arrivals to the farm so that was a bit of a bummer.
The work is a lot different too-- and way longer. You'll work a lot more, but on the flipside, you get to enjoy the entire festival without interruption.
The main thing about being prefest I think, is to remain accommodating, flexible, gracious, and open-minded. You really have to realize that the place isn't set up at all, and so all the WET folks and all the festival folks really aren't quite certain about a lot of things and they are less helpful than you'd have experienced as a during-fest volunteer. That having been said, they're still the same people, so they're still awesome, but absolutely everything prefest is confusing and disorganized and you just kind of have to suck it up, smile, work hard, and stay excited about it. Most of the people you'll be dealing with haven't been onsite for very much longer than you at all.
I love prefest-- it's a different world, and it is a little tough to sleep in a tent for 10 days or whatever it ends up being, but it's awesome. Bring your Chacos and a shitload of water (that wasn't set up yet either), and you'll be set =)
Hello Ellie!
EDIT: Just read Karen's post up above and totally agree with her points. Working prefest was also really nice because it gave us few prefesters (~100 of us, I think) a great opportunity to really cauterize some good friendships. Since we were such a small group, we all knew each other and said hi to each other all during the festival and stuff. There was plenty of hanging out that we did during those pre-fest nights and it was great to hang out with such cool folks. Pre-festers are also seasoned festi-go'ers or roo'ers, so they are a helpful bunch with tent set-ups, schedule planning, and all sorts of other things-- prefesters have frequently volunteered a half dozen times at bonnaroo, so you can learn a lot from those friendships.
Karen was also on target with her comments about the wave of during-fest volunteers and regular festi-goers the next day. They'll show up full of energy and beer and screaming "BONNARRROOOOO!!!!!!" just as you're trying to bunk-down after a 12hr shift. They're exceptionally annoying once you've been there so long, but you get by, they're just being excited and you kinda have to just push through it =)
Post by travelinbeat on Dec 25, 2011 10:07:41 GMT -5
I just did some math and discovered to my delight that Dec 8th was the halfway-point between 'roo '11 and 'roo '12-- we've cleared the hump and we're officially more than halfway to 'roo '12 =) =) =)
Post by DunderMifflin on Dec 26, 2011 21:10:45 GMT -5
thanks for the advice guys. i'll definitely be going for pre-fest this year. i know that the pre-fest bunch is a lot different from the during-fest roo'ers (i.e. they're more dedicated to keeping up with their shifts).
Oh good. I was really afraid that I would sound pretentious when I said that the during fest peoples kind of changed the whole volunteer mood.
Well, i think during-fest volunteers know it themselves that they change the mood. especially when they know they have a good chance of not showing up to their shifts. But, I know that isn't the case with some of the volunteers. There are ones who are dedicated to fulfill their shifts and I usually make it a point to thank them whenever I see one standing in the hot sun by a trash can, making sure people throw their junk away properly.
I know there are. With almost anything that requires effort there are people that will try their hardest and people that will try to find a shortcut. I just didn't see it really with the prefesters.
And I'm glad you brought up the volunteers that stand at the trash/recycle/ compost cans. This is one of the jobs that drive me nuts. I hate it when I see someone sitting there smoking cigarettes and when people walk up to them to ask a question they nod with their blank faced heads to which can said item should be thrown into.
I get it that you've been there for hours and have been listening to the same questions over and over. But you know what, FAKE IT. That's the best advice I can give to anyone that has that job. Smile at the people that walk by, wave at them, talk to them in an energetic tone. Do a little dance. Even if you want to punch them in the face for not reading the Bonnaroo cups that clearly state they are corn based and can be composted. Just FAKE IT.
I was a during fest volunteer in 09 and 10 and I went to every one of my shifts. The people that don't know they blow their chance of ever going for free. It's a stupid decision. If you can afford to pay, then pay.
I was a during fest volunteer in 09 and 10 and I went to every one of my shifts. The people that don't know they blow their chance of ever going for free. It's a stupid decision. If you can afford to pay, then pay.
Hey Bellevegas here too!!! I didn't volunteer until my 6th year going to Roo which was last year... I plan on volunteering again this year!!!
Nice Arizona! I would totally volunteer again, but I have talked my hubby into going and he's not into the idea. If I was going alone again, I would totally volunteer.
I'll probably be driving SOMETHING this year, whether it's a taxi or an artist cab or whatever, I don't know yet. Around last October, a customer at the store I work at (and the receptionist at the high school I went to) asked me if I would be interested in working 'Roo this year, because she knows I'm a big Bonnaroo guy (had my 2010 bracelet on for almost 2 years after the fact; makes for a good conversation piece).
She came into the store today and got my name and number and said she's going to give it to the guy she knows that has to find volunteers for the golf carts and whatnot. Apparently she's already mentioned me to this guy, and he'll be coming in this weekend to talk to me! Said I'll get a VIP ticket or something, too.
So, if I end up driving a taxi, look out for the guy in the '07 Inforoo shirt!
I'll probably be driving SOMETHING this year, whether it's a taxi or an artist cab or whatever, I don't know yet. Around last October, a customer at the store I work at (and the receptionist at the high school I went to) asked me if I would be interested in working 'Roo this year, because she knows I'm a big Bonnaroo guy (had my 2010 bracelet on for almost 2 years after the fact; makes for a good conversation piece).
She came into the store today and got my name and number and said she's going to give it to the guy she knows that has to find volunteers for the golf carts and whatnot. Apparently she's already mentioned me to this guy, and he'll be coming in this weekend to talk to me! Said I'll get a VIP ticket or something, too.
So, if I end up driving a taxi, look out for the guy in the '07 Inforoo shirt!
hah true. I feel like volunteers should get more taxi opportunities, especially since we're required to camp far from Centeroo (at least til Friday when some of us can move....then again, i guess they dont really track that. I saw some people move sooner).
I totally agree. That was one of my only complaints. In 09 when I was clearly pregnant and living on the farm for days. When a taxi drove by me with my VOL wristband and shirt lugging a bunch of stuff to the family camp for my kids and husbands arrival I ask a taxi(not the festaxi but a regular golf cart) I was turned down.
Do I have to camp out? I only live like 25 minutes away (not in Manchester, tho). After 3 years of camping out all week-end, I kind of want to just sleep in my own bed.
Do I have to camp out? I only live like 25 minutes away (not in Manchester, tho). After 3 years of camping out all week-end, I kind of want to just sleep in my own bed.
My understanding has been that you are required to camp in your assigned camping area for the time you will be volunteering-- so during festers pretty much are stuck there (*unless they somehow manage to finish all of their shifts before the end of the festival, in which case I suppose they could pack up and relocate), pre-festers can move once the festival begins, and post festers can camp wherever until their shifts begin.
If I were you, I would email WET, and on every application I submit, I would identify myself as the dude who lives in town and wants to stay at home. Be prepared for a no, but in my experience, the WET folks are exceptionally accommodating, and especially if you're a returning volunteer (and have proven that you're reliable), then they may likely be willing to let it go.
It also should be mentioned that it's not like they take roll-call at the campsite or anything... so... you probably could just sneak away any ways.
Does anyone know when WET starts taking applications for volunteering at Bonnaroo? I want to do pre-fest, but are you eligible to do that if you're a first time volunteer?
Does anyone know when WET starts taking applications for volunteering at Bonnaroo? I want to do pre-fest, but are you eligible to do that if you're a first time volunteer?
The application for first time volunteers is out usually at the end of March. Yes, you can apply to be a pre-festival volunteer. But there is a good chance you won't get it. The reason being is because two weeks before the application becomes available to everyone it's sent out to veteran volunteers. So they have two whole weeks to sign up for the most desired spot(pre-fest)
There is always a chance and your best bet is to register for WET so you'll get an email inviting you to apply as soon as it's up on the site. Do it that day and pay your deposit as soon as it tells you to. This will help insure your spot.
Thanks 1karen1 that was what I needed to know. I thought that not a lot of people would ask for pre-fest if they weren't local to Manchester/Nashville....guess I was wrong! Oh well
Here are the dates/deadlines WET used for volunteer applications, deposits, & cancellation in 2011
03/14/11 - priority applications open to past volunteers 03/28/11 - applications open to general public 03/28/11 to 04/04/11 - deposits page for priority applications open 04/04/11 - deposits page for general public applications open 05/01/11 - last day to cancel and receive full deposit back
$25.00 non-refundable application fee Deposits charged immediately when submitted
anyone heard of AXIS? Apparently that's the company I'd be working for, and it wouldn't be the taxis, it's the shuttle buses that drive in the vendors. I didn't expect to be paid for it, either, but apparently it's $125 a day. Only downside is I'd have to do 9pm to 9am shifts. It's not a sure thing yet, but I'm still excited at just the possibility of it.
Post by desertcinema on Jan 24, 2012 23:09:54 GMT -5
Okay these questions may have already been answered in this thread (in which case I know, I'm the asshat who didn't go read it and I will promptly go do that) but I'm curious about Post-Show Clean Up transportation... A couple of friends an I are planning on doing the Post-Show clean up but we're from Arizona, and I'm curious whether transportation is provided back to Nashville if you buy the shuttle pass? I doubt it but want to find out as much as possible. And has anyone volunteered that doesn't live in the immediate TN area? How was that? And does WET not do the post-show clean up now? Is that only Clean Vibes? (I'm completely lost in the difference between the two...) Any info you guys can give me would be great.
Okay these questions may have already been answered in this thread (in which case I know, I'm the asshat who didn't go read it and I will promptly go do that) but I'm curious about Post-Show Clean Up transportation... A couple of friends an I are planning on doing the Post-Show clean up but we're from Arizona, and I'm curious whether transportation is provided back to Nashville if you buy the shuttle pass? I doubt it but want to find out as much as possible. And has anyone volunteered that doesn't live in the immediate TN area? How was that? And does WET not do the post-show clean up now? Is that only Clean Vibes? (I'm completely lost in the difference between the two...) Any info you guys can give me would be great.
Okay these questions may have already been answered in this thread (in which case I know, I'm the asshat who didn't go read it and I will promptly go do that) but I'm curious about Post-Show Clean Up transportation... A couple of friends an I are planning on doing the Post-Show clean up but we're from Arizona, and I'm curious whether transportation is provided back to Nashville if you buy the shuttle pass? I doubt it but want to find out as much as possible. And has anyone volunteered that doesn't live in the immediate TN area? How was that? And does WET not do the post-show clean up now? Is that only Clean Vibes? (I'm completely lost in the difference between the two...) Any info you guys can give me would be great.
There is no shuttle, however there is a greyhound station.
On the off-chance that any of you have had experience with this:
I decided today that I want to both volunteer, and also camp in an RV. So me and my friend both called WET/Shimon Presents.
The answer I got: "Fine with us, just make sure you have an RV pass, you'll camp in the normal roo RV area"
The answer my friend got: "We're not sure if bonnaroo would have a problem with letting an RV in on tuesday"
My next move was to email volunteers@bonnaroo.com with the question, and they sent me back a copy of the 2009 volunteer faq, which says: "Volunteers will be required to camp in a designated volunteer and staff camping area. NO RVs please, this is due to space limitations."
Obviously, I'm not satisfied with that answer because it was written before WET took over, and if WET doesn't have a problem with it, I don't think roo should either.
Has anyone here volunteered with an RV before? Does anyone know the phone number of a person at bonnaroo who I would be able to talk to about this? Any help would be appreciated
Said I'll get a VIP ticket or something, too.
