New tarp rule in place

As is the policy at Telluride and many other festivals, the "OPEN BLANKET RULE WILL APPLY BEGINNING IN 2003".

 Any unoccupied blanket or tarp can be sat on by any attendee if the owner is not present .....in other words NO LEAVING VACANT BLANKETS OR TARPS TO HOLD YOUR SPACE FOR A LATER PERFORMANCE

I... kinda thought that was always the case.... *puzzled look* People last year often sat on other people's blankets/tarps unless the owner showed up....

I think the confusion now is the fact that the squatter now has the right to not let the owner sit down on their own tarp once they leave.  Or that's how I read it.

I have a feeling cooler heads will prevail, and the sense of community will be fair to the tarp owners.

hmmm that is not clear from the wording...

I wish they'd do that at EFMF. Half the day, during workshops and stuff, HALF OF THE HILL is empty tarps and blankets. *sigh* I HATE it.

Hi

This is Anne. I'll try to set straight some of the confusion here.

There may be a few minor changes and a more even enforcement of the morning
tarp run this year but this is not what Michael is talking about here.
Michael did send me an Email a few days ago and I responded but he does not
seem to understand what I said. I have posted my reply to him below.

My E was a response to Michael's statement that Telluride allows for
unoccupied blankets and tarps to be used by anyone and I assumed he meant
until the owner of same returned. My email to him was quite clear on that,
see below. Anyway, he seemed to think we should institute this policy and I
explained that this in fact has been the policy for several years now. That
part seems to have eluded him as he is saying that this is something new that
will begin this year. The subject of his post was POLICY CHANGE.

Many of you have already responded that indeed this is nothing new. Our
emcees have been announcing it from the stage for at least 3 years now. And
of course, the policy has ALWAYS been you may sit until the owner returns not
when the owner returns you may duke it out with him/her. Here is the original
Email I sent to Michael.

In a message dated 4/3/03 2:41:07 PM, Falc Ridge writes:

<< This is Anne at Falcon Ridge. Not sure what prompted your email since this
has also been our policy for several years now, all untenanted blankets,
tarps and chairs can be used by anyone until the owner returns if left out
during the day. This is announced from the stage several times per day
usually by our emcees. At night, of course, we ask that all chairs and
blankets are removed so that one day attendees also have a chance at
desirable seating plus there are cleanup and security issues inherent in this
policy and especially now after 9/11, unfortunately for all types of
gatherings large and small, some of those issues have become very, very
important.
Thanks for your concern, Anne >>

Hope this helps. Our security crew is considering a few refinements to the mo
rning tarp run, changing the time to 9:30AM is under consideration. And
making sure each morning, the rules don't suddenly change when another
crewperson decides to allow for earlier or later entry. Uneven enforcement
has been the source of most complaints. From the crewperson's side, it's hard
to resist the pleading and wheedling from those waiting with tarps and
blankets in hand to get out there a bit earlier. But that same crewperson
does not realize that those who waited until the designated time are now
somewhat disgruntled.

In light of the current world situation, all I can say is, I hope this is the
worst problem we ever have. So far, to the credit of this wonderful 4 day
community, it seems to be. Thanks, Anne

Falcon Ridge "Main Stage Seating" Policy

The promoters and staff of Falcon Ridge Folk Festival want all of our
patrons, performers, and staff to enjoy the main stage entertainment to
its fullest.� In order to achieve this Falcon Ridge is instituting a "Main
Stage Seating" policy that we ask everyone to adhere to from Friday
morning through Sunday Evening. Thursday's entertainment, as well as the other
stage, will be first come, first serve, seating. All Music Listening�areas
(Main stage, Workshop stage, Family Stage, and Dance Stage) will be
designated NO SMOKING AREAS. A smoking zone will be established and
posted.

� 1.. No person will sit or place any items (e.g. blankets, chairs,
coolers, etc.) inside the designated main stage area prior to 9:30AM
each morning. The area will be clearly marked. Signs will be posted for each
defined seating section as shown below. Any items found within the
seating area prior to 9:30AM will be removed and can, if available, be
reclaimed along the sides of the main stage area. Falcon Ridge ltd. and its staff
have no liability for items left in the main stage area.

� 2.. There will be a 20' wide area midway back behind the low seating
area that will be designated as "WALK-IN" seating. Low seating is defined as
blankets or tarps and low back beach chairs, which mean a soccer ball
cannot be rolled under the seat and the back does not go above the
average person's shoulders. The "Walk-In" area is for anyone who does not
intend to stay for long periods of time. This area will be open = hour before the
first performance each day. Individuals using this area may bring only
one personal seating device, (SMALL towel or blanket, LOW BACK chair, or
seat cushion for 1 person) and are not allowed to save any additional area.
Individuals appearing to save space for others will be asked to
relocate to the other areas.

� 3.. Seating in the remaining main stage area will be permitted after
9:30AM to give our day patrons a chance at good seating. Tarps will be
restricted to 6'x 8' except in the Walk-In area (see number 2 for
Walk-In seating guidelines). Once placed please do not disrupt other tarps or
chairs to place your own.� Patrons are allowed to sit on vacant tarps
and chairs UNTIL the owners return. WE ASK ALL OF OUR PATRONS TO USE
COURTESY WHEN USING VACANT SEATING.

� 4.. Main stage seating will be closed and staked after the last
performance each evening. In the AM people will be asked to gather at
the marked area between the First Aid Tent and the T-shirt Tent for access
to the seating area.� Seating will take place after the official
announcement of the time.

� 5.. Tents and sun cover lean-tos are allowed behind the sound tent.
They MUST be removed during the dinner break to allow for a larger audience
for the evening performances.

We hope that this policy will increase everyone's enjoyment of the main
stage performances. Please feel free to comment on our policy on your
survey form.

Sounds reasonable.
I like the "walk-in seating" idea.

Entirely reasonable. As I said in another forum, it's nice to see the tarp size codified, and have true "first come, first serve."

I wonder how early people are going to start lining up at the first aid tent? *hee*

Is that what they mean?� I thought the reason that they did the land rush was to make sure people actually got sleep!� If it's a true first come first serve, you're going to see Camp Tarp Run.

well, it will be "camp tarp run", the run will just be from the first aid tent to the seating area. A little bit longer distance than before. Presumably, they're going to not allow anyone into the seating area while people put down tarps.

I'll have to see it for msyefl to understand what they have planned.