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 willemdafoe on Apr 12, 2016 14:38:17 GMT -5
Hey everybody, I'm new to this forum but I'll be attending my second bonnaroo this year with three of my buddies. Last year I did the volunteer program but me and my friend backpacked all the way from Boston, traveling via bus from Boston to New York to Georgia to Tennessee. Needless to say, the commute was hell. We brought some stuff along with us so we were super anxious the whole trip up. But when we got there, our nervousness felt pathetic because we walked right into the volunteer site without a problem.
Now that I'm entering with a car this year, I'm just curious as to how extensive the search is for volunteers. Do any past volunteers know if there are cops and hounds or just fellow volunteers conducting the search?
I am a volunteer and last year they searched every nook and cranny in my car as I entered pod 1. They confiscated my hammer, but left a big kitchen knife in my supply box. Then I went to walmart and when I came back they searched it again, even though they had marked my car as searched. So pack assuming you will be searched.
It was just volunteers, though--didn't see any cops or K9s
From the mishmash of stories I've heard over the years, searches by and of volunteers tend not to be too scary, but you have to consider that there is a genuine possibility of being searched by real cops. It could happen before you reach the farm, anywhere between your driveway and your camp.
Factors that increase your chances of being searched (right or wrong): having an old, beat-up, or loud car, having Grateful Dead or pot leaf bumper stickers (or Ohio State buckeye leaves, in some cases!), having a car packed full of a bunch of stuff (like camping gear and a cooler), being under 30, being non-white, having dreadlocks, having hand, neck or face tattoos, driving shirtless, smelling of maryjoowanna, being a minor in possession of alcohol (automatic), being from out of state, being rude, being overly polite or abnormally talkative. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but cops are human and look for certain things, and you may very will encounter some, whether at the gate or beforehand.
So consider very carefully whether you need to bring "stuff" and how adept you are at smuggling, and how long your trip is. I've also heard that it is not too difficult to procure "stuff" inside if you opt to bring extra cash instead, though that opens you up to a whole new set of risks. It seems like most people end up being okay (most of the time), but there are varying amounts of arrests and citations at the gate, inside, and on the road to Roo every year. The decision is ultimately your own, but be aware of the risks associated. Personally, I need my medicine but I have zero desire to be arrested or summoned to court in Tennessee or Kentucky, so I tend to err on the side of caution.
And welcome to Inforoo, willemdafoe. I like some of your movies, particularly Platoon and The Boondock Saints. Take a look around - there is TONS of info and knowledge for you here. I hope you didn't join just to get smuggling tips, cause you won't find them here.
One thing I have heard that can increase your chance of getting pulled over going to the Farm is writing stuff on your car's rear window like "Bonnaroo or Bust!"...it screams "I'm going to a music festival and I got weed!" to the cops.
Also as much as I love wearing tie-dye, I won't wear it on travel day and wear some grannylady tee shirt with dogs on it and save the tie-dye for the Farm. True story: I was boarding a plane with my hubby and I got pulled out of line literally on the jetway and got the "massage therapy" search while my husband who dresses like a nerd stood by bemusedly. After we were allowed to board I was bitchin about the whole thing when DH said, "well, whattaya expect being dressed like a hippie?" Ever since then I've never worn a tie-dye while travelling and have never been harassed, either.
