Bonnaroo
isn't a single event.
It is the result of music, art, food, imagination & fun served on
a vast field with a thousand new friends waiting to meet you. It is
also insanely hot and heaven forbid if it rains. Plus, the sandstorms
will leave a sweet layer of dirt on everything you own. But in return,
you get to meet people from all over America. You get to listen to the
music gods weave
their craft. You get to see some seriously odd stuff...
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING:
• Tarps
- You must manufacture your own shade. Bring a lot of it!
• Sledge or mallot - The ground
can be tough.
• Can beer and Tupperware -
Absolutely NO glass. It will be confiscated at the gate. No exceptions.
Plus, it slows the line down. Prepare.
• Handywipes - Or a camp shower.
• Big floppy hat - The sun has no mercy.
• Comfortable lawn chair - A portable one for
the concert field. The ground gets a little funky after awhile.
• Spray/mist bottle - And/or a battery operated
fan. A lifesaver between trips to Centeroo.
• Water - Bring lots. For drinking and cleaning.
The local water is potable but smells like sulpher. Bring at least a
5-gallon container.
• Cargo van - More people. More stuff. Plus,
shelter if it gets real bad.
• A good attitude - Otherwise stay home.
WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT:
•
A sh*tload of people. 99.9% are really nice.
• If the weather is hot, its brutal. Same if it rains. Hope it
does a bit of both.
• Your car may be blocked in until late Sunday. Don't be in a
hurry to leave.
• To see a comedy show, you have to get in line 3-5 hours prior
to the show.
No kidding.
• Don't play the nutshell games unless you really, really know
how.
• Expect to see minor drug use/sales. Be cool.
• You will be searched upon entry to Centeroo. Because of this,
the line gets long right before major sets. Go early or late to avoid
the wait. Also, there's not a lot of shade once you're in.
• Microbrews are $6 (in 2008).
• Bonnaroo does an excellent job of keeping the port-o-lets clean,
just remember where the shaded ones are!
OTHER TIPS FROM THE WEB:
"When you drive in, the parking people will try to shoehorn your
car as close as possible to other cars. This is your chance to stake
out a good bit of room, and you will need it. If you camp by your car,
your space is the width of your car."
"Buy washcloths from target ... put them in sandwich baggies and
stick them in your coolers. At some point you'll have a cooler full
of cold water and you can reuse the washcloths."
"Attempt to get through the gate at around 7am-8am for a good spot
to camp."
"Bonnaroo is not a race to see who can get wasted the fastest ...
It's a marathon. Practice the art of the steady buzz."
