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 cdmcdonald90 on May 21, 2009 23:11:55 GMT -5
ok my friends and i are driving down from cleveland ohio... we have no idea what highways and such to take but plan on using mapquest for a bulk of the trip. Right now we plan on leaving wednesday sometime during the day and getting there late on wednesday night and sleeping somewhere... or early morning on thursday. So I have a few questions...
is there anyone who knows their way from ohio?
is there anyone with advice for TENT ONLY roosters as far as time to get there and whether or not we're going to be shafted with a crappy camp site?
ok my friends and i are driving down from cleveland ohio... we have no idea what highways and such to take but plan on using mapquest for a bulk of the trip. Right now we plan on leaving wednesday sometime during the day and getting there late on wednesday night and sleeping somewhere... or early morning on thursday. So I have a few questions...
is there anyone who knows their way from ohio?
is there anyone with advice for TENT ONLY roosters as far as time to get there and whether or not we're going to be shafted with a crappy camp site?
coming from Cleveland you should have a pretty straight shot down 71-65-24.
anyone need a ride from bloomington/normal,il to bonnaroo? leaving 6/10. returning sometime mon. 6/15. room for 1 or 2 depending on how much stuff u have.
I recomend if you coming via I65 and want to get off the interstate cuz it can get congested from the roo traffic to get off on the Huntsville Al exit. Then got to Hwy 231/431 take it north into Fayetteville TN. the take hwy 64 east to hwy 50 to Lynchburg this will take you to Tullahoma then take hwy 55 to Manchester this will take you to down town Manchester easy access to Wal-Mart and the Roo. I've traveled this route for the last 6yr without a problem. Last year hwy 64 was under constuction in Fayetteville but I went to jack Daniels a few months ago with family and hwy 64 was 4 laned and great to drive on even faster travel time.
Hey guys, Bonnaroo virgin from Boston. I plan on driving there starting Wednesday night (we want to get an extra day of work in). If we're able to drive straight through (19 hours) we would arrive around in TN. around 1pm-3pm...what will the line look like to get into the festival around that time? Would you suggest taking Wednesday off from work to leave earlier? By the way, this site has already been extremely helpful, thanks for all the great info.
Yeah not arriving until early afternoon Thursday is probably not a great idea. Do whatever you can to be in Manchester by earlier in the morning, maybe 9-10 at the latest?
Hey guys, Bonnaroo virgin from Boston. I plan on driving there starting Wednesday night (we want to get an extra day of work in). If we're able to drive straight through (19 hours) we would arrive around in TN. around 1pm-3pm...what will the line look like to get into the festival around that time? Would you suggest taking Wednesday off from work to leave earlier? By the way, this site has already been extremely helpful, thanks for all the great info.
This is the time I usually show up (after my 2 hour drive ). We have waited anywhere between 45 minutes (2005) to 3 1\2 hours (2007). Last year we were in line about 2 1\2 hours. I have heard the line gets much longer right around this time though. I agree that you should try to get there earlier, but if you can't, be prepared to wait and maybe have a rested driver to take over at that time.
Hey guys, Bonnaroo virgin from Boston. I plan on driving there starting Wednesday night (we want to get an extra day of work in). If we're able to drive straight through (19 hours) we would arrive around in TN. around 1pm-3pm...what will the line look like to get into the festival around that time? Would you suggest taking Wednesday off from work to leave earlier? By the way, this site has already been extremely helpful, thanks for all the great info.
I live in Nashville and worked on Thursday morning and arrived at Roo around 3pm last year. We were camped right next to Access, about a 5 minute walk to Centeroo I plan on arriving around the same time this year, maybe a touch earlier to have more time to set up camp. Traffic seems really bad, but it moves quickly.
So.... does anyone have any advice for large groups coming in with multiple cars? My group will have 18-20 people in it this year (we've had 9-12 people in 'roos past). We will have 4-5 cars in our group, last year we had three cars and got shafted on parking, it was raining when we were parking and they made us park diagonally from each other instead of next to one another and we basically had one long narrow area to set up tents for 10 people. We made it work but it would have been really nice to have more room by having the cars next to each other.
we dont want this to happen again this year so we were thinking about marking all the cars (tie a red bandanna on the antenna or something) and maybe getting in line with cars in between us so we can park next to each other. what do you think?
the logistics of this are kind of hairy so if anyone has had experience with this kind if thing i'd appreciate the advice
Post by katrinaburningman on May 24, 2010 19:58:14 GMT -5
HEY where do i go to find someone to carpool with? I am heading out from massachusetts to go to bonnaroo and i need some help with gas costs etc....i cannot seem to find anywhere on here for rideshares please help!
It's looking like I may have to work on Wednesday (driving from TX!). Has anyone had experience with getting there late on Thursday? Do I need to quit my job? or just be prepared to park in BFE? lol...any advice is appreciated.
So.... does anyone have any advice for large groups coming in with multiple cars? My group will have 18-20 people in it this year (we've had 9-12 people in 'roos past). We will have 4-5 cars in our group, last year we had three cars and got shafted on parking, it was raining when we were parking and they made us park diagonally from each other instead of next to one another and we basically had one long narrow area to set up tents for 10 people. We made it work but it would have been really nice to have more room by having the cars next to each other.
we dont want this to happen again this year so we were thinking about marking all the cars (tie a red bandanna on the antenna or something) and maybe getting in line with cars in between us so we can park next to each other. what do you think?
the logistics of this are kind of hairy so if anyone has had experience with this kind if thing i'd appreciate the advice
The "car in between" thing is more likely to backfire as most times they park you side by side. Out of 7 Roos, I've only been parked front to back twice and one of those they let us leave the camping space in between the cars so we camped in a big spot together (see below)
So.... does anyone have any advice for large groups coming in with multiple cars? My group will have 18-20 people in it this year (we've had 9-12 people in 'roos past). We will have 4-5 cars in our group, last year we had three cars and got shafted on parking, it was raining when we were parking and they made us park diagonally from each other instead of next to one another and we basically had one long narrow area to set up tents for 10 people. We made it work but it would have been really nice to have more room by having the cars next to each other.
we dont want this to happen again this year so we were thinking about marking all the cars (tie a red bandanna on the antenna or something) and maybe getting in line with cars in between us so we can park next to each other. what do you think?
the logistics of this are kind of hairy so if anyone has had experience with this kind if thing i'd appreciate the advice
The "car in between" thing is more likely to backfire as most times they park you side by side. Out of 7 Roos, I've only been parked front to back twice and one of those they let us leave the camping space in between the cars so we camped in a big spot together (see below)
So, from everything I have read it seems best if coming from NY to go through ohio and down to 24E through Nashville, pass the Roo exits on the eastbound side of 24 and try to get off and turn around onto 24wb through exit/ entrance ramps 114-127 and then get in line for the 112 makeshift exit around 8/9am on thrursday morning. Sound about right? I know its all a crap shoot, but im trying to do as much as possible to limit my chances of getting BFE .
I have been to Broo 5 years but haven't been since 2007 going back this year. the last three years I went I planned to get to the 112 line by noon on Thursday. All three years I had been parked by the arch or a block or two close. the first two years busy branch and 112 earlier then 8 am was put in the same BFE camp two years in a row. They load BFE first and it seems to be filled by noon so you shouldn't be put there.
Wrong thread for this, and anyway that's like oranges and apples. Each type of camping setup has it's pros and cons. Depends on what type of experience you wish to have and how much you wish to spend.
When getting into roo try to stay together. Let the booth people know how many cars are behind you. Your cars are going to be checked so when your through pull ahead and go off to the side and tell one of the parking people why your waiting.
I wish I saw this thread a LONG time ago...
Please, do not pull over and THEN tell the parking employees why you're there. Nine times out of ten, you will yell what you're doing to us, and make us angry. I'm not saying you do it on purpose. I understand it's been a stressful trip, but most people working parking are as confused and frustrated as you. It is easy to set us off if you do things you're not supposed to.
At LEAST 50% of the parking staff has no idea what they're doing or where they are. That just my guess (the percentage), but it's most likely right. When you suddenly pull over to the side of the road, you can cause accidents and run people over, and you are scaring the Leno out of the employees who don't want to get their wristbands cut off and stranded in Manchester, on top of not getting paid.
So please, please please please, just slow down and ask someone politely to pull over to wait for your friends. The first person might not be so nice, but their are plenty of us working. The next person might be someone like me, and let you pull over to wait. This makes everything easier for everyone.
Oh and I have some bonus tips from a parking employee!
- It doesn't matter what time you enter. Trust me. There are hundreds of variables when deciding what lots to fill up first. Most of the time we fill up BFE lots first, but if it rains, or there's a traffic jam/accident we will fill up closer lots just to keep people moving.
- If a parking employee tells you to stop, STOP. We don't care if you just drove 20 hours, so did we, and now we're working. You're just sitting in your damn car. Please listen to us and be polite, we will work with you for the most part. If not, ask the next person.
- After the toll booth, please enter the farm in an orderly fashion. Look, you ALL know that you have to be funneled into one single line right after you get your vehicle marked. Take your time, THE ENTRANCE HOLDS UP TRAFFIC MORE THAN ANYTHING!
Trust me on this one, I've worked parking on every part of the farm, and it all starts with the entrance. Every single backup (well, except one or two) have been due to something going wrong at the entrance. Most of the time, it's because people decide to drive around everybody after the gate. That will not work, and we will make you wait longer until we allow you to enter.
- Give your parking employees water and food, we need it. Standing in the sun for 12 hours (yes, that's how long our shifts are) takes a toll. Sometimes they're good at giving at rations, sometimes they're terrible. The food they give us is AWFUL, just keep that in mind. This can come in handy for you. I will do a little extra if you take the initiative to be nice to me, but do not use it as a bribe. If you give a parking employee a water, he may come help you when you're disputing with an employee further down the line. That can be really beneficial to you when we are deciding your campsite fate.
- Don't ask us for a map, we don't have them. If you have one from the previous year, bring one, they help. Sometimes they don't even give US a map, so if you need directions it would be wise to have your own map of the farm.
- Don't bribe us. You are probably just throwing your money away. Most of the employees are nobodies, so don't even bother. If they let you park in an empty lot, they will move you.
- Stay patient, you will get there, and it will be amazing.
EDIT: Saw something posted about the following
- Big groups can be a problem. I suggest not doing it at all, but if you MUST bring a large convoy, make sure you all try your hardest to go through the same toll booth and let the guy know you're going to wait for you convoy. Then tell the first parking employee you see with flags that you need all of you let in at once. Tell them you'll wait for them to let in the other people before letting your convoy in at once.
- Please don't park with a gap between your vehicles. Think of a better setup before you go there using the fire lanes. We can get fired for letting people park like that. When we get fired, we lose our check, our bracelet, and our ride back to the East Coast. Keep that in mind while breaking the rules.
If a fire marshall sees you doing this, they will ask you to fix it. They patrol during the first day to look for exactly this, so go ahead and waste a few hours setting up a sweet site and having to take it all down after the fire crew finds you. If you disobey them, they can and will cut your wristband and have security escort you out.
I am way too lazy to read everyone's suggestions but here's mine: Last year we took a really bright ribbon and tied it to the left mirror on each of our cars. This way everyone knew our group was together and they were more courteous in letting us stay together etc. It also helped us keep an eye on each other. We had 5 cars and it worked like a charm. If only it helped my friends remember to not leave me on the side of the road when the traffic started moving.. ahahha
Hey guys, Bonnaroo virgin from Boston. I plan on driving there starting Wednesday night (we want to get an extra day of work in). If we're able to drive straight through (19 hours) we would arrive around in TN. around 1pm-3pm...what will the line look like to get into the festival around that time? Would you suggest taking Wednesday off from work to leave earlier? By the way, this site has already been extremely helpful, thanks for all the great info.
I am also from Boston. Absolutely take the Wednesday off from work. You don't want to get to Bonnaroo already exhausted. We did what you're planning on doing our first year and got there super tired. In addition we got stuck in BFE. IMO you need at least a day before and at least a day after off from work.
Throughout the years I've grown smarter and take 5 days before (for a nice fun road trip) and two days after. It's much more than most can afford to take off but its soooo worth it. So much to see and do along the way + need the rest when you get home.
So.... does anyone have any advice for large groups coming in with multiple cars? My group will have 18-20 people in it this year (we've had 9-12 people in 'roos past). We will have 4-5 cars in our group, last year we had three cars and got shafted on parking, it was raining when we were parking and they made us park diagonally from each other instead of next to one another and we basically had one long narrow area to set up tents for 10 people. We made it work but it would have been really nice to have more room by having the cars next to each other.
we dont want this to happen again this year so we were thinking about marking all the cars (tie a red bandanna on the antenna or something) and maybe getting in line with cars in between us so we can park next to each other. what do you think?
the logistics of this are kind of hairy so if anyone has had experience with this kind if thing i'd appreciate the advice
We had a bunch of cars too and didn't get parked the way we were hoping too. I quickly spoke to our neighbors and before we actually set anything up e re-shuffled our cars around a bit. It worked out great. No amount of planning will prepare you for what the outcome may be. You just gotta go with the flow, not stress, be kind to your neighbors and work with what you've got. The great thing about having so many of you cars around is that there's always some sort of shuffle that you may be able to do.
We've talked about what you shouldn't put on your car, so let's talk about what you SHOULD put on your car. I live in Tennessee, by the way...this stuff comes from personal experience. Fair warning: what I'm about to tell you is a percentages game. No guarantees.
Something I'm completely grateful for (and something that most people probably won't have a shot at getting...but hey, this might help a few) is that I have a state firefighter license plate on my truck. I do the grantwriting for a local volunteer department; it's a perk.
That tag generates an invisible web of mojo that protects me from the sorts of impromptu searches we see leading into Bonnaroo. I'm not saying I take advantage of it to drive recklessly or otherwise break the law, mind you, but in those moments when securing the benefit of the doubt is key...and we're all acquainted with those moments...it's forked my bacon back out of the fire on more than one occasion. So if you have access to a car with a service-type license plate, think about attending Bonnaroo in it.
Failing that, a second kind of identifier that might help you out is that a big percentage of the police here in Tennessee are former Marines. If you have a legitimate reason to put a USMC sticker on your car, you might want to do so.
The thin blue line sticker is a toss-up. Personally I'd be reluctant to fly one of those in Bonnaroo if I wasn't there to keep an eye on my truck, but that's just my paranoia.
A PBA card may or may not work. I've never personally seen or heard of anyone using one here, but if I were on the cusp of getting my vehicle torn apart, I'd try it. DO NOT FLASH A PBA CARD THAT ISN'T YOURS. The officer will think you're playing him for a chump, and you're not going to like what follows.
Forget the PBA sticker, though. It won't help you out for squat, especially if it's, like, seven years old.
That's about all I can think of. Maybe other people have advice in this vein?
Last Edit: Jan 29, 2011 18:25:08 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Has anyone or will anyone be taking an RV to Manchester? This will be my second year and we are driving from Texas. Does anyone know the process of RV's vs. cars, or where to find that info?
Im pretty new to this whole thing so I thought I might crowdsource this question I've been pondering:
We are debating on weather to rent a big van and all drive down together or caravaning down in our own cars. We plan to camp by our cars. Does anybody have a recomendation of which might be a better idea?
I strongly recommend a GPS to anyone who doesn't own one already. My Garmin is a lifesaver. I've used Mapquest and Yahoo maps for road trips prior to having one and it was a mess. I've had the printed directions tell me to turn on roads that didn't exist.
I recommend Garmin to anyone. I've used a friend's Tom Tom before and it totally sucked.
). We have waited anywhere between 45 minutes (2005) to 3 1\2 hours (2007). Last year we were in line about 2 1\2 hours. I have heard the line gets much longer right around this time though. I agree that you should try to get there earlier, but if you can't, be prepared to wait and maybe have a rested driver to take over at that time.
I plan on arriving around the same time this year, maybe a touch earlier to have more time to set up camp. Traffic seems really bad, but it moves quickly.
