What can I expect at my first fest?

Well if that's all......

There are four stages.  One, the Blue Ridge Bowl, hosts early (11-12 noon) and late shows.

Ridge and Oak are the main stages.  They host the main sets from noon-midnight.

the Forest stage hosts late night shows.

No shows overlap, although it would be hard to get from stage-to-stage to see all the late nights shows.

The main stages is restricted for food and drink but the early and late night shows aren't.

also the two main stages are side by side so while one band is playing on one, the next band is setting up on the other, so when the first stops, the second starts right in--that's the "interlocking" (year 1) from which "lock'n" is derived. Although they've never pulled it off, conceivably the second band could join in the first band's last song.

but the good point I, unlike other fests, you don't have to move from one stage to the other, just tilt your head some.

the schedule (see main website) therefore shows the bands playing in succession as if there was one stage. Go back to old posts here from August 2014 and you may find a map; it may change but that will give you an idea.

Last year was my first festival and I cannot fully convey the degree of awe and exhilaration I experienced. Be prepared for only a few hours of sleep a night(which may not be the case for you since you're not staying on site), lots of walking, tons of fantastic music & dancing, good food, friendly peeps.... The amount of unbelievable music you'll hear is mind boggling!

Wow, you picked a huge festival to pop your cherry with! But no matter the size of the festival the planning stays the same: pack for any kind of weather (yes, we even have had some hurricanes in Virginia..), bring a bit more money than you planned if you can, don't worry if you don't know anyone because you are immediately going to have about 30,000 new friends. Don't be afraid to talk to strangers. Make a plan for the bands you want to see but don't worry if you miss anyone-some of the best bands I've heard came from wandering around just to see who's there!
Try to nap if you can. The late night sets are magical...
Bring things you don't need but are fun...glowsticks, solar lights to hang on your tent. Tutus--never seen one at Lock'n but I sure loved rocking mine at Bonnaroo. Let's start the tradition!
Be prepared to have your face rocked off!
Anyway, big or small, music festivals are a blast and almost a life-changing event. I've never been the same since that first Floydfest 11 years ago....Magical!

Hey kids,

Do you think a couple of these folding mesh canopy chairs be acceptable as long as we stayed back behind the soundboard line? they don't appear so high as to be overly intrusive...

(I guess I can't upload a pic,so here's a link, if someone would be so kind as take a look and opine forthwith! )
www.farmandfleet.com/products/603151-hgt-international-canopy-chair.html

thanks, dave

sneake's edit:

I took one of those in during the day.

Well I was a Friday arrival. Got there about 1pm with zero cars in line and cruised to my spot. Just couldn't swing the Thursday arrival. Still had a great time !

This will be my first Lockn! Wanted to go to the last 2. I always waited on people to pitch in and go. Never happened, & I was stuck at home. Not this year! Same b.s. From friends. I bought me a ticket and a Ga Rv spot, might be alone, but I will be there! Looking forward to meeting you all. You have been very helpful on here with advise,

That's what we're bringing this year. Will be a good distance behind the sound board....allows for greater dancing area.

I just got one of those spiffy umbrella chairs and tried it out at A Bear's Picnic this past weekend. It was a godsend. I would have preferred a little more flexibility in ability to adjust angle of the shade, but it was awesome to have at least some shade without having to hold an umbrella. And I think I'll add some bandannas to the sides to increase my shade coverage. I really liked that when the sun went down it was easy to put the shade canopy down, and the whole thing folds up really easily into the size of a regular bag chair.

You got it brothah. It's best days are behind now, but I'll be bringing it.