Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Tarp Line Policy
Our line policy is designed to create a kinder, gentler, more Festivarian-like entry each morning. Please remember: This is a general admission festival. Tarps do not reserve seating. If you see an unoccupied tarp, you’re welcome to sit there until its owner returns.
Festivarians may begin gathering for the next day’s line numbers no earlier than 11pm.
- Around midnight, the line will be led through the Customs gate, where each person will receive one randomly assigned number.
- Numbers are shuffled before distribution, so your place in the 11pm line does not determine your entry order the next morning.
- Each person may receive only one number per night. Wristbands will be marked when a number is issued.
- The next morning, Festivarians with numbers should return and line up in number order beginning one hour before gates open.
- Number holders will enter the Festival in their randomly assigned order, followed by Festivarians without numbers.
- During the initial tarp run, each person may bring one tarp, no larger than 10’ x 10’. Oversized tarps must be folded to fit within those dimensions.
Once inside, enjoy the Festival, and remember to share the space with your fellow Festivarians!
General Information
The RockyGrass and Folks Festivals run daily from around 10 am to around 10:30 pm.
Our Box Office is open the Thursday before the festival and opens one hour prior to gates and closes at the beginning of the headliner set each Festival day.
Please come prepared for any weather conditions. This includes: intense sun, heat, rain, wind, sleet and yes, possibly snow . The show happens rain or shine! At an altitude of 5,371 feet the weather can change quickly, it does get chilly at night even if the temperature is in the 90s during the day. SUNSCREEN IS A MUST! Please remember to DRINK LOTS OF WATER and WATCH YOUR ALCOHOL consumption, especially if you’re coming from lower elevations.
Please, no pets of any kind allowed in the campgrounds, the show, or the parking lots. Be your dog’s best friend and do not bring them to the show. Service animals are an exception.
If you need a place for your dog to stay, try the following options:
- Camp Bow Wow (Boulder) - www.campbowwow.com / (303) 442-2261
- Arapahoe Animal Hospital & Boarding Kennels (Boulder) - www.arapahoeanimalhospital.com
(303) 442-7033 - Stone Canyon Kennels (Lyons): 720-310-5515
- Whispering Pines Kennels (Longmont): https://whisperingpinespetresort.com 303-776-3907
- Cottonwood Kennels (Boulder): http://www.cottonwoodkennels.com 303-442-2602
- Bowhaus (Boulder): https://bowhausco.com
303-802-7790 - Gunbarrel Veterinary Hospital (Boulder) : http://www.gunbarrelvet.com
303-530-2500
Please note: Most boarders require proof of current vaccinations, that your dog is spayed or neutered, well brushed, and that they play well with others.
Camping: View the camping Page for each festival here in Lyons:
- RockyGrass Camping
- Folks Festival Camping
Other options: Numerous lodging options are available in Lyons and nearby Estes Park, Boulder, and Longmont. For more info visit our Lodging Page
ALCOHOL, GLASS and VIDEO CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED on the festival grounds. You’re welcome to bring in your own food and soft drinks in appropriate containers.
We serve beer and wine at the festival (don’t forget your ID!). We also have a wide assortment of vendors with reasonably priced YUMMY FOOD!
Seating is all general admission on our lawn so bring a tarp or chair.
Only low-back lawn chairs are allowed in front of the sound booth. If we can roll a basketball under it, we’ll ask you nicely to move.
Tarps are allowed to reserve space and to protect the grass.
Umbrellas, shade tents and other view obstructing items are allowed along the riverside only in the marked off designated area.
Due to many complaints, and in the spirit of Festivarianism, if you see an empty tarp, feel free to sit until the owner returns. We hope this will cut down on the frustration that many of you have expressed to us that you feel upon seeing empty tarps during those killer morning and afternoon sets.
Audiotaping the music at the festival is permitted. Recording devices must be self-contained (we do not provide AC outlets or patches to the soundboard) and you may not obstruct the view of your fellow festivarians with your equipment. There is no designated area for taping.
CHILDREN 12 and under are FREE for the festival and camping, but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Check out the family tent daily for fun family activities! Please accompany your children at all times.
Children must be with their parent when the parent picks up the child’s wristband.
No, a 3-Day Pass will be one wristband that is fastened to one Festivarian for the entire three days of the festival. We sell single-day passes for people only attending one or more individual days.
Yes, you can. You can work 3 four-hour shifts in exchange for a three day pass. For more information and to fill out an online application visit our Volunteer page for each respective festival:
Camping
CAMPING IS SOLD PER PERSON, NOT PER SITE. You will need to purchase a camping pass for EVERY person 13 years and older in your group. A camping ticket is for TENT SPACE ONLY. A separate vehicle pass is required for camping with your vehicle.
Nope! While we love all animals, they are not permitted in any campgrounds, or on the festival grounds.
See above for boarding information.
In order to camp with a vehicle or RV, everyone in your party must have a camping pass for the respective campground and you must purchase an additional vehicle or RV pass for your camper, car, or trailer of choice.
For Example: You and two friends want to camp in your sweet 1980’s Winnebago Camper Van. Nice! To do that, you must purchase three camping passes and one vehicle or RV pass in addition to your Festival passes.
NOTE: Not all campgrounds allow vehicles or RV’s. Be sure to check the campground details page to double check before purchase.
Not all vehicle passes allow the same length of vehicle. See below for more info on vehicle length.
The vehicle vs. RV distinction is made by bumper-to-bumper length of the automobile or trailer. When camping at Planet Bluegrass, a “vehicle” is considered anything shorter than 18’ bumper(or hitch) to bumper and an “RV” is considered anything longer than 18’ bumper(or hitch) to bumper.
BEWARE: Certain campgrounds may have maximum lengths for RVs, which will be specified on the campground info page.
A vehicle is considered any object requiring a license plate, e.g. a camper, trailer, tow vehicle, etc. If you intend to have both your camper-trailer and tow vehicle in the campground, then you must have 2 vehicle passes or a vehicle pass and an RV pass, depending on the length of the camper trailer. (see above FAQ)
If you don’t need your vehicle in the campground - for sleeping or for storage - you don’t need a campground vehicle pass. Most Festivarians don’t purchase a vehicle pass. You can temporarily drive into the campground to unload your gear, and park your vehicle in our remote festival parking lots.
We will have space for everyone to camp in the campground you purchased tickets to. Some of our campgrounds are so popular that we have very intensive lineup procedures in place to handle early arrivals. Please review the information page for the individual campgrounds for details.
Our campgrounds all have porta-potties or permanent bathrooms for your use. Some campgrounds also have shower facilities. Check the info page for each campground to see what facilities are available.
Unfortunately, fires are not allowed in any campgrounds for everyone’s safety and fire restrictions. This includes propane fire pits.
Nope! All campgrounds close at noon on the Monday after the festival.
Most campgrounds are within easy walking distance of the festival. Some also require shuttle bus access. Please refer to the individual campground page for access information.
Generators:
We prefer that you don’t bring generators when camping at our festivals.
This is a great opportunity to disconnect! But if you must, here are
the rules:
- Generators are only allowed in campgrounds with vehicles or RVs
- Generator quiet hours are 11pm to 7am everyday. Please DO NOT run your generators during this time.
- DO NOT run your generator if you are not present at camp
- You must have a fire extinguisher within 10’ of your generator at all times it is running (our staff will ask!)
- DO NOT place your generator near tall grass or shrubs
- Be conscious and respectful to your neighbors
Parking & Transportation
You will be able to drive into the town of Lyons, but you will not be able to park on the streets of Lyons at all during the festival.
We permit individuals with handicap placards to park on-site of the festival grounds. If you have a vehicle pass for the On-Site Campground, you may drive into the campground.
If you have lodging in town during the festival, the festival grounds are within walking distance from many of the lodging facilities.
You may not camp or sleep overnight in your vehicle in any of the parking lots. A free shuttle bus services the parking area and campgrounds. We encourage you to walk or bring your bike and we have a lovely bike rack for your convenience on-site at either entrance.
We aren’t currently aware of any road construction issues. But we will post any information here as it gets closer to the Festival.
When you come to the Festivals please park only in designated areas. There is a nominal fee, but it will strengthen the relationship with the town and its residents while securing the future of the Festivals. Thanks!
If you are coming to the Festival and not camping, you must park in the designated parking lot at the Planet Bluegrass Farm ($10 cash or less for the entire festival with unlimited re-entry, daily parking available also). There will be plenty of signs to direct you. If you are camping and would like your vehicle with you, make sure you have purchased a vehicle pass. Every vehicle on-site must have a vehicle pass. A vehicle is considered anything requiring a license plate and/or has wheels. This pass is separate from your camping pass. The parking area and campgrounds are serviced by a free shuttle bus to the festival. We encourage you to walk or bring your bicycle!
Handicap parking is available at the festival with an authorized handicap sticker, plate, or placcard.
Please feel free to review our Accessibility Policy for more information.