Help decide between fests, Telluride or Bear Creek?

[jazzykeb]

So, in a way to try and compensate for not going to Jfest this year, I am trying to find a new festival to look forward to, and as of now am looking at the Telluride Blues & Brews and the Bear Creek Music Festival (Live Oak FL). Both are in the fall, which works for me. I like both lineups. The differences as I see them are that Bear Creek is a camping fest (a plus), Telluride is arguably one of the most scenic venues in the world (a plus), Bear Creek has more music (a plus), Telluride has brews (a big plus), Bear Creek seems to be a little less established of a fest (a plus).......

I've done a search and reviewd comments on here about both fests individually, but wanted to see what the experienced fest-goers here thought about the two in comparison. All comments welcome!

[jeanvi]

Went to Telluride on '06, great fest, gorgeous setting. There is camping there also, but it was down in the teens at night. Couldn't find a hotel under $200 per night & they sell out.
My only complaint was that it was always too damn cold...but...my bad, I should have expected that in 10,000 feet of mtns.
The beer tasting was phenomenal, micro brews galore!

[swag]

Raffle item 98 is fest and camping passes to Telluride, plus a travel allowance...

[djgriff]

Kev -

did you get a new e-mail address - tried to e-mail you to the att address and it gets bounced back.

[Headless Hornman]

I haven't been to Telluride, but did Bear Creek last year and 3 Magnolia Fests before that (at the same place, Spirit of the Suwannee). Sounds like you've got a good handle on the decision. Live Oak can be cold in November, though teens would be highly unusual. Last year BC started warm, then a cold front came through. Bikini tops on Friday; bundled for 30s Sunday night.

As far as brews, SOS sells Sweetwater 420 and of course you can have the beer of choice at your campsite. And having the fest at a campground means you can hear the music from your site and you can fest as hard as you want with your bed a few steps away (as opposed to getting transportation to the hotel).

[ozzie]

Kev -

did you get a new e-mail address - tried to e-mail you to the att address and it gets bounced back.

Was telling Ken about that amazing donation today. When you first posted your pics a year or two ago we checked it out and it's on our list of places to visit, but doubt we'll ever get to the festival 'cos we have to tag our stuff onto Jazz fest.

Wouldn't hurt to buy a ticket or two though, eh?

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

I've never been to either festival. But, I've been to 49 states and Telluride is the most beautiful place I've ever been. If it was me, I would good with the best lineup.

[Amy Winette]

Raffle item 98 is fest and camping passes to Telluride, plus a travel allowance...

We'll be buying tix for that, and definitely going someday, whether we win or not :)

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now Jazzykeb--- Living in Salt Lake (about a 6 hour drive from Telluride) I was lucky enough to have attended the Telluride Bluegrasss Festival for 6 years in the 1990's..... I saw some amazing music at those Fests (Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, James Taylor, John Haitt, Bonnie Raitt, The Band, subdudes, Willie Nelson) and as has been mentioned, Telluride is as stunning an alpine setting as I have ever seen.......

That being said, Telluride is in the middle of nowhere---6 hours from SLC, 6 from Denver, and while there is a small airport, I dont want to even venture what a flight into Telluride during a festival would run. Once you get there, again, money flows like wine. There are a few (expensive) hotels, but at least for TBF we would usually rent a condo for the weekend, which was NOT cheap. The resturants and bars can also charge a premium, as its a small ski town and the festival goers are a captive audience.

I would usually spend at least 800 bucks for a four day fest, not counting transportation...... I really enjoyed my times there, but once I discovered Jazzfest, Telluride suffered in comparison.

I do imagine that the Brews and Blues could be done more economically than Bluegrass (Blues and Brews apparently has only a fraction of the attendees) but I just wanted to let you know that Telluride, while beautiful, is certainly not a budget friendly town.......


Where ever you end up, I hope you have a wild and FUNKY time, Matthew

PS after saying all that, I should say that I have toyed with Blues and Brews for a few years (when the Radiators, Porter Batiste Stoltz or the Nevilles were on the line up) so if you end up going, get in touch. I still have a friend who owns a place 10 miles or so out of T-ride, and he has offered it up to me in the past----It really is Gods Country, and depending on the lineup, maybe we could try and meet up to cut costs for everyone involved........

[revjimk]

MM
Haven't been to either event, but have been to several other Telluride events. Strikingly beautiful setting, always a ton of fun, but expensive. Without a doubt the biggest extreme between hot & cold I've ever experienced. Blinding mountain sunlight in the day, freezing at nite.
You'll enjoy it.
Personally, I don't care for Florida
rev

[stlbarb]

MM
Haven't been to either event, but have been to several other Telluride events. Strikingly beautiful setting, always a ton of fun, but expensive. Without a doubt the biggest extreme between hot & cold I've ever experienced. Blinding mountain sunlight in the day, freezing at nite.
You'll enjoy it.
Personally, I don't care for Florida
rev

Live Oak is barely in Florida. when people ask me what part of florida i'm going to, i tell them Georgia. i think its 30 minutes from the state border.

btw, i will be winning the Telluride Package.

[jazzykeb]

I haven't been to Telluride, but did Bear Creek last year and 3 Magnolia Fests before that (at the same place, Spirit of the Suwannee). Sounds like you've got a good handle on the decision. Live Oak can be cold in November, though teens would be highly unusual. Last year BC started warm, then a cold front came through. Bikini tops on Friday; bundled for 30s Sunday night.

As far as brews, SOS sells Sweetwater 420 and of course you can have the beer of choice at your campsite. And having the fest at a campground means you can hear the music from your site and you can fest as hard as you want with your bed a few steps away (as opposed to getting transportation to the hotel).

Thanks Headless, yes, sounds like we are on the same page. Def leaning towards Bear Creek, for all stated reasons. I may have a friend who can get us affordable lodging for Telluride, but otherwise it looks like Bear Creek.

[jazzykeb]

I've never been to either festival. But, I've been to 49 states and Telluride is the most beautiful place I've ever been. If it was me, I would good with the best lineup.

I have a feeling that even if it turns out to be Bear Creek this year, Telluride will not be far behind, thanks!

[jazzykeb]

Hey Now Jazzykeb--- Living in Salt Lake (about a 6 hour drive from Telluride) I was lucky enough to have attended the Telluride Bluegrasss Festival for 6 years in the 1990's..... I saw some amazing music at those Fests (Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, James Taylor, John Haitt, Bonnie Raitt, The Band, subdudes, Willie Nelson) and as has been mentioned, Telluride is as stunning an alpine setting as I have ever seen.......

That being said, Telluride is in the middle of nowhere---6 hours from SLC, 6 from Denver, and while there is a small airport, I dont want to even venture what a flight into Telluride during a festival would run. Once you get there, again, money flows like wine. There are a few (expensive) hotels, but at least for TBF we would usually rent a condo for the weekend, which was NOT cheap. The resturants and bars can also charge a premium, as its a small ski town and the festival goers are a captive audience.

I would usually spend at least 800 bucks for a four day fest, not counting transportation...... I really enjoyed my times there, but once I discovered Jazzfest, Telluride suffered in comparison.

I do imagine that the Brews and Blues could be done more economically than Bluegrass (Blues and Brews apparently has only a fraction of the attendees) but I just wanted to let you know that Telluride, while beautiful, is certainly not a budget friendly town.......


Where ever you end up, I hope you have a wild and FUNKY time, Matthew

PS after saying all that, I should say that I have toyed with Blues and Brews for a few years (when the Radiators, Porter Batiste Stoltz or the Nevilles were on the line up) so if you end up going, get in touch. I still have a friend who owns a place 10 miles or so out of T-ride, and he has offered it up to me in the past----It really is Gods Country, and depending on the lineup, maybe we could try and meet up to cut costs for everyone involved........


Thanks for all the info Matthew. I actually may have a line on affordable (or possibly free?) lodging in town. If that comes together (friend of a friend thing, so a bit tenuous) I will definitely let you know. If not, we are likely heading to Bear Creek. I will get to Telluride at some point though as I have a friend in Aspen and family in Steamboat.

[MormonMatthew]

Thanks for all the info Matthew. I actually may have a line on affordable (or possibly free?) lodging in town. If that comes together (friend of a friend thing, so a bit tenuous) I will definitely let you know. If not, we are likely heading to Bear Creek. I will get to Telluride at some point though as I have a friend in Aspen and family in Steamboat.

Yeah, Keb, let me know--- Depending on the line-up, I would like to hit Blues and Brews sometime, and this year the dates are the 3 days before my 40th birthday, (Sept. 21st) so I am looking for someting good to celebrate.......

With lodging covered, Telluride is MUCH more affordable---The tickets for the Fest are reasonable, and with the money saved from no hotel or condo, it suddenly becomes a very modest expense for what is sure to be a great time!!!
If you decide to come out, and could fly into SLC, I would be happy to drive us down, (a wonderfully scenic 6 hour drive past Arches National Park, the Colorado River and thru Moab---Red Rock country par excellance) which would also cut down on $$$ spent.......

Anyway, where ever you decide to go,I know you will have a great time!!!


Enjoy your summer, Matthew

[Phatpapa]

And don't forget the 4 nights lodging in beautiful Breckenridge, CO as one of the raffle prizes. Only 5 hours from Telluride, which I highly recommend.

Being in Telluride for a music fest is magical. The box canyon with the waterfall at the top is spectacular to say the least. I've only been for the Bluegrass Festival and camped so I saved a lot of $$ on lodging. I have yet to ski the mountain, unfortunately.

[revjimk]

"Being in Telluride for a music fest is magical."
Yea U rite
rev

[jeanvi]

Yeah, Keb, let me know--- Depending on the line-up, I would like to hit Blues and Brews sometime, and this year the dates are the 3 days before my 40th birthday, (Sept. 21st) so I am looking for someting good to celebrate.......

With lodging covered, Telluride is MUCH more affordable---The tickets for the Fest are reasonable, and with the money saved from no hotel or condo, it suddenly becomes a very modest expense for what is sure to be a great time!!!
If you decide to come out, and could fly into SLC, I would be happy to drive us down, (a wonderfully scenic 6 hour drive past Arches National Park, the Colorado River and thru Moab---Red Rock country par excellance) which would also cut down on $$$ spent.......

Anyway, where ever you decide to go,I know you will have a great time!!!


Enjoy your summer, Matthew

Take route 128 as opposed to the main hwy 191 to Moab-amazing scenic drive.