[Lynn08]

I love seeing families and little ones there and I'm excited to bring mine this year. I know it's a bit early yet, but I'm just trying to figure out the logistics and was wondering if you could share any tips or tricks that make your life easier.

I hope to see you there!

TIA

 

[mama24-7]

Would you give details on this event? I live in the burbs but don't know what/when you're talking about!

TIA,
Sus

 

[Lynn08]

Sure. Here's all the info for this year's fest (easier than me trying to explain and provide all pertinent info

). There are children's activities/performances (more are available for campers), so it's a good time for all!

 

[mamajake]

I used to go every year pre-kids (1985-1993) but have only been a few times w/kids. Once the old way - full weekend of camping. Only once for the day. I love the Folk Fest but it is hard w/kids - particularly little ones. There is a great deal of schlepping (parking is very far from the entrance) and there is no place out of the sun. So definitely bring lots of fluid, head covering, and, if possible, some small umbrella-like thing.

 

[sunanthem]

Aww, I used to love volunteering at the folk fest.. I miss it! It's a great little festival. I would bring your own snacks so you can save $$, and maybe a wagon or something for toting kids around.. though I didn't see how old yours are. Have fun! Nevermind, just bring your sling and sunscreen, you'll be fine!

 

[Lynn08]

Thanks ladies! I'm trying to convince dh that it won't be too much of a pain in the butt. I guess it's really no different from camping (which we plan on doing a few times this summer

), so I guess I'll just push that logic.

 

[beachcruiser]

I am just beginning my Philly Folk Fest planning (tickets are sale price through July 19th and go up after that!) and I came upon this board and post while searching "PFF" and "message boards". Planned my wedding with message boards, conceived my first child with message boards, makes sense I would plan for fest with message boards!

I have not been back to PFF in 5 years, since starting my family, and its my mom's first time back this year in as long, too; my step-dad and sister and loads of our friends have been attending faithfully for 5 to 10 to 20 years! This being my first time back, and tent camping instead of in the Winnie with my parents, AND bringing the kids along I am doing some super research and planning this time around.

We're hoisting a flag and claiming some space in Quiet Camping (don't let the designation fool you, its a relative term) - so far its myself, DH and DS (3) and my great friend and HER family, including two more kids, ages 1 1/2 and 3. Are we crazy? Our campsite name is the Mother Folkers, and if you want to camp near us you're more than welcome! We've done our fair share of festivals w/o kids, camping WITH kids, and we are excited and ready to tackle our first family fest!
"You're a mother folker, I'm a mother folker, we're all mother folkers!"

 

[snoodess]

We're going this year. My dh has been going for 30 years and I've gone off and on for about 10. We used to volunteer (pre-kids) but now we pay. We'll be in heavy camping with an outpost in general camping. We camp with the Living Space guys (Living Earth/Boris Garcia). We go to other festivals and I have to admit this fest is my least favorite but there are several bands I want to check out this year and it's tradition. The hassle factor at PFF is very high compared to other fests and it is *ridiculously* expensive. I got early bird tickets and couldn't believe that they tack on a service fee for every ticket option. Craziness. It's the only festival I know of that charges people to volunteer. Yeesh!

I've camped with little babes and it's fine. It's good to have some shade, lots of water and ice, and a mister is really handy to help cool off. Those portable fans are great too.

 

[serenetabbie]

Hey y'all. I haven't been in years (pre kids... my oldest is now 11), but we used to volunteer. We never paid! I think we did that for... um... 5 years? Dh & I know a few of the Living Space folks (sort of second hand through other friends... like 2 degrees of seperation)

I imagine with a big group like that it would be fine, but I would never attempt to take the family "alone"! Plus, DS really dislikes crowds and noise, so that would just be a disaster.

Sunanthem, it must have been a while since you have gone. "little festival" is not really what I would call it anymore! Part of why we stopped going was because it is just so crazy jammed. We went in the early 90's.

Totally bring a wagon. It's a hike from the parking to the feilds, if I recall.

Mother Folkers is fabulous

There are loads of small festivals in NE and N central PA that I would love to go to if I could get a few days off!

ETA; I hope you all have a great time when you go!

 

[snoodess]

Hey serenetabbie! We corresponded about this ages and ages ago. I used to have a place up in White Haven and we were going to try and meet up.

They do make volunteers pay now. You have to join the PFS and pay a fee on top of that

This year they also pretty much abolished pre-fest so it should be interesting to see whether anyone will have any of those BIG structures up. I'm not even sure our relatively big group will be able to get stuff in early like we have in years past. Since we have the camper we're just going to take our chances and hopefully go in with some friends who will also be in heavy camping.

If you have one definitely bring a wagon. Lots of schlepping required for stuff, water, ice, etc.

 

[Lynn08]

I forgot I started this thread.

:

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions, but unfortunately we won't be going this year, after all.

Money is really tight right now, plus dh couldn't get the time off work. So we're keeping our fingers crossed for next year!

I think '06 was the last year I attended (it was the first year of the "paying volunteer") and had no idea they were doing away with pre-fest! I, too, wonder about the larger campsites. Hmm.

And beachcruiser, I LOVE the name! Thanks for the invite - I will totally camp with you if you're around next year! I was not looking forward to setting up a lone tent all the way in quiet camping (all my *childless* friends have a site over by Water Gate).

Again, thanks mamas, and have a fantastic time!

Lynn