So I'm finally gonna make the trek from Indy to Manchester this year. The line-up, my vacation time, my cash, and the stars have all aligned and this is sure to be an epic adventure!

I need some tips from veteran Roo-goers so Carini doesnt get me

Some items/SOP's I have already figured out:

1) Camelbak
2) Baby Wipes
3) Phone/charger
4) Ticket
5) Booze
6) Water
7) camping stuff - Tent/Shade, grill, sleeping bag, bug spray
8) car battery charger
9) shoes
10) Gummy Bears
11) Sun screen
12) frisbee

What are some other essentials?

Also, any tips for avoiding traffic? Should i get there Wednesday night or Thursday to miss the peak?
Can I bring Growlers of beer instead of cases or will security's mind be too blown to calculate the number of fluid ounces?

Things I will not be bringing BTW:

1) Children
2) Animals
3) Laser Pointers
4) the dark side of the force
5) a bunch of illegal substances (i'm assuming they can be acquired once inside)
6) noobs (this is my first Bonnaroo, not my first rodeo)
7) my ex-girlfriend

Would love to hear folks' input! Hope to see you there!

^ this is good stuff. I dont know if i will we able to resist having some beers during the day, but liquor would probably be best after dark

@themefromthepossum said:

also, pray you dont get a campsite far away from centeroo. its a hike if you do

Im wondering if there is any strategy for this? Get there early? Late? Bribe security?

@fspencer09 said:

Went in '09 and '11.

My instinct was to simply post:

"Stay Home."

I figured i would get a few of these

@Dan615 said:

Seems like a no brainer but pretty much everything (ice, food, beer, etc.) is very expensive at the roo so its always good to have plenty of cash.

How readily available is ice? trying to figure out how much we need to bring. dont want to overkill it if we dont have to

songs i'm still chasing and want to hear at Bonnaroo:

Guyute
It's Ice
The Curtain
Fast Enough for You
Waves
Bold As Love
Whats the Use

@highgravity said:

@themefromthepossum said:

also, pray you dont get a campsite far away from centeroo. its a hike if you do

Im wondering if there is any strategy for this? Get there early? Late? Bribe security?

no clue if there's a way to determine best camping spot. i went in '02, took a backroad the last 20 miles (hit NO traffic), and was camped maybe a 10 minute walk from centeroo. in '03 we took the same backroad, hit 16 hours of traffic and were camped farther away. in '04 we took the highway entrance, and ended up camping in the same area as we were in '02. its a crapshoot i think, unless things have changed since i last went in '04

@highgravity said:

@Dan615 said:

Seems like a no brainer but pretty much everything (ice, food, beer, etc.) is very expensive at the roo so its always good to have plenty of cash.

How readily available is ice? trying to figure out how much we need to bring. dont want to overkill it if we dont have to

there'll be trucks everywhere selling ice. to save on cost, before you leave for the fest, take a few gallon sized jugs of water, throw em in the freezer so they're rock solid, and use them as ice packs in your cooler(s). they'll stay frozen for a while and then you've got ice cold water once they melt

@highgravity

@themefromthepossum is correct. There will be ice trucks everywhere. The frozen milk jugs of water trick is a good move that I have employed. IF you have a big enough cooler, you can also look in to getting some dry ice. That stuff will stay frozen the entire fest.

@scoot26 said:

http://forum.phish.net/?thread=1329348378&limit=no

I had a pretty good size write-up on this, but a lot of good information on what to expect, the good and bad and how to be prepared.

Very good stuff!

@Harry61991 said:

Did anyone here attend the 09' Roo? And any of you folks who did, did you catch the soundcheck? I'm trying to see the soundcheck this year, but have no idea what time they'd do it. Any help here?

i was there in 09 and every year after (this year will be my 4th). you can hear the What Stage acts soundchecking Thursday and Friday. we definitely heard Phish in 09 soundchecking. where ever you are on the Farm you can hear whatever band is playing on What.

also make friends with your neighbors while you're setting up. help them pitch their tent, they will probably help you, then you have people to rage with all weekend!

ALSO make sure you fill up your tank before you get in line. i've seen plenty of cars die in the 12 hours of traffic, which SUCKS!

^^^umbrella HATS. why carry it when you can wear it?

you can also never go wrong with a fanny pack. i don't care how lame they look, when you can fit your wallet, schedule, substances, lighters, flashlight, etc. all in one place, you will be the biggest asset to your group.

no clue. it probably depends on how soon they can get there, how many other acts have to check, blablabla. you might not hear them check if they are only performing Sunday. we'll have to wait and find out!

and if they do check during the day, you can barely see them. People line up against the fence to the What area to see what's going on. i watched Eminem "check" last year (pretty much making sure his backing track was loud enough) which was kinda cool.

can't remember for the life of me. it was later in the day thursday, i think. you're gonna have to get there early and wait, if they even do a check. they might not have the time considering they play the 7 and 8th in Woostah then come right to TN for Roo.

at 8am your tent will be 100+ degrees in side there are some trees in center roo find a nice one and get a couple more hours of sleep till music starts

Bring a bigass 5-day cooler, layer the bottom with 4" dry ice cuts, cover with frozen water bottles, add whatever, top with frozen water bottles. The wife and i did this and we had plenty of ice cold beverages and tons of food that lasted all of superball. Just be careful of the carbon dioxide gas, it will put you to sleep while driving.