Lockn with younguns

awesomebill
Dark Star

Posts: 13

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 8:31:48 GMT -5 via mobile

Quote

Post by awesomebill on Sept 13, 2018 8:31:48 GMT -5

First off I’m a Virginia native (I’ll claim that even though I’m really a carolinian) who has never had a chance to go to Lockn.

Every single year it has been:

Family vacay previously planned
Baby coming
Work travel
Another baby
Etc

I’ve decided there is no way I’m missing another one so I am planning to do the full RV experience with the wife and kids and hopefully a buddy and his fam to double babysitters and resources.

Questions:
How family friendly is the scene, RV camping etc? I mean I get it’s a music fest but are we talking All good or Floyd fest. (All good being not kid friendly at all and probably should be bombed with napalm. Floydfesf being very family friendly)

Are RV passes difficult to come by? What are the RV sites like? (I am sure there is a thread about this but am way too lazy to try and find it so feel free to link it non lazy people)

Anyone else done the fest with kids? Thoughts? experiences? (Mine are young, gonna be a toddler and a young toddler come next year) should I just can this idea?

My wife is NOT a camper. She basically considers anything below the Hilton to be roughing it. I’ve been wanting to buy a small pull behind for getting the family out in a manner she can deal with. (Not too many bugs and ac and a shower and a bed). I am thinking about renting or finding a pull behind for a dry run and show her that RV camping isn’t roughing it in the least.

Advice, stories, or sarcastic responses welcome.

Signed,
AB (my name isn’t really bill)

smosey wales
Merry Prankster

Disguised as a squirrel

Posts: 14,648

If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: Anyone? Anyone?
Number of LOCKNs attended: 6

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 8:46:13 GMT -5 TOO $ likes this

Quote

Post by smosey wales on Sept 13, 2018 8:46:13 GMT -5

More like Floyd fest.

Fine for children in the day, not at night, on the showfield.

RV camping is civilized at Lockn.

Bring a babysitter. Pay her with free tickets and a bunk, free time in the day and babysitting at night.

If you have 2 babies, get the biggest honking RV you can. 2 families, 2 RV's.

RV usually sells out but not immediately.

A test run on any rig is very wise.

Too late to die young

Feb 12 Billy Strings NFK
Feb 18 Marshall Tucker Band Philly
Feb 25 Marcus King Band NFK
April 6 Rosanne Cash NFK
April 15 James McMurtry NFK
April 20 Little Feat VaBeach
April 21 Blackberry Smoke NFK
July 2 Last Fair Deal w/John K VaB
July 23 Dave Mathews Band VaB
July 26 Robert Earl Keen C'ville
July 28-31 Floyd Fest BFE
Sept 24 Southern Culture on the Skids VaB
Nov 19 Dark Star Norva
Dec 3 Sky Dog VaB

hondo
Old Head

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro - Hunter S. Thompson

Posts: 1,880

Number of LOCKNs attended: All of them

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 8:48:52 GMT -5 TOO $, 1karen1, and 1 more like this

Quote

Post by hondo on Sept 13, 2018 8:48:52 GMT -5

Overall, I'd say Lockn' is kid friendly (hey they let ME in).I see lots of kids there, especially in the VIP viewing section off the main show field where there is a fenced off area and chairs and such.

We have rented the RV from Cruise America for several years and this year we went thru Outdoorsy. Got a pull behing with two slides for less than a third of the price from CA.

My advice is: Go for it.

I came for the fuckery, I stayed for the love

TOO $
Cowboy Neal

Posts: 12,502

If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: Dead and Company featuring Johnny Slayer
Number of LOCKNs attended: 7
Member is Online

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 8:52:44 GMT -5 jrtmom and hondo like this

Quote

Post by TOO $ on Sept 13, 2018 8:52:44 GMT -5

Sept 13, 2018 8:31:48 GMT -5 awesomebill said:

First off I’m a Virginia native (I’ll claim that even though I’m really a carolinian) who has never had a chance to go to Lockn.

Every single year it has been:

Family vacay previously planned
Baby coming
Work travel
Another baby
Etc

I’ve decided there is no way I’m missing another one so I am planning to do the full RV experience with the wife and kids and hopefully a buddy and his fam to double babysitters and resources.

Questions:
How family friendly is the scene, RV camping etc? I mean I get it’s a music fest but are we talking All good or Floyd fest. (All good being not kid friendly at all and probably should be bombed with napalm. Floydfesf being very family friendly) LOCKN has a family friendly vibe they just don't provide as many kid friendly activities as FF does.
Are RV passes difficult to come by? NO

What are the RV sites like? (I am sure there is a thread about this but am way too lazy to try and find it so feel free to link it non lazy people) VIP RV sites are large and flat. GA sites are still roomy but could be on somewhat of a slope so plan to level your camper. GA sites come with electricity but you ahve to pay for pump outs. Everything is included in VIP RV sites.

Anyone else done the fest with kids? Yes but my kids are 19 and 24

Thoughts? sometimes

experiences? (Mine are young, gonna be a toddler and a young toddler come next year) should I just can this idea? NO, go for it

My wife is NOT a camper. She basically considers anything below the Hilton to be roughing it. I’ve been wanting to buy a small pull behind for getting the family out in a manner she can deal with. (Not too many bugs and ac and a shower and a bed). I am thinking about renting or finding a pull behind for a dry run and show her that RV camping isn’t roughing it in the least.

Advice, stories, or sarcastic responses welcome. Don't tell me what to do...

Signed,
AB (my name isn’t really bill) My name isn't really The Other One so there...

Did I mention I'm Greek?

kuriti
Old Head

Posts: 2,242

If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: Marcel Duchamp
Number of LOCKNs attended: 6

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 10:42:33 GMT -5 smosey wales likes this

Quote

Post by kuriti on Sept 13, 2018 10:42:33 GMT -5

Anything is possible, but....

We watched a couple with a toddler melt down right after it got dark this year. She finally called it and yelled at dad to get the shit together. I didn't envy them pushing a stroller out of the middle of the hoard in the dark with a toddler who was screaming and bucking. We were pretty far back too. I wouldn't personally want to have done it when my kids were of age. I agree a smaller fest would be easier. If you left at dusk, it would be doable, but then you likely miss the very acts you came for. Also, it kinda sucks having other's toddlers running around and screaming at your feet if you left your kids at home to not have to hear that for a weekend.

grandparents weekend?

Kuriti

Lockn': not dying, still Dead

awesomebill
Dark Star

Posts: 13

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 12:01:24 GMT -5 via mobile

Quote

Post by awesomebill on Sept 13, 2018 12:01:24 GMT -5

Sept 13, 2018 10:42:33 GMT -5 kuriti said:

Anything is possible, but....

We watched a couple with a toddler melt down right after it got dark this year. She finally called it and yelled at dad to get the shit together. I didn't envy them pushing a stroller out of the middle of the hoard in the dark with a toddler who was screaming and bucking. We were pretty far back too. I wouldn't personally want to have done it when my kids were of age. I agree a smaller fest would be easier. If you left at dusk, it would be doable, but then you likely miss the very acts you came for. Also, it kinda sucks having other's toddlers running around and screaming at your feet if you left your kids at home to not have to hear that for a weekend.

grandparents weekend?

I wouldn’t have my kids at a main stage show at night.

smosey wales
Merry Prankster

Disguised as a squirrel

Posts: 14,648

If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: Anyone? Anyone?
Number of LOCKNs attended: 6

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 13:40:26 GMT -5

Quote

Post by smosey wales on Sept 13, 2018 13:40:26 GMT -5

Sept 13, 2018 10:42:33 GMT -5 kuriti said:

Anything is possible, but....

We watched a couple with a toddler melt down right after it got dark this year.

I saw a couple without a toddler melt down, too. In fact I think I've seen that at least once every year.

The benefits of taking a very small child to an extended event like this seldom exceed the burdens. Just because it might work out fine, or that someone else did it and it was fine, does not improve your odds that you won't be miserable.

The young children aren't going to get anything out of it. Take them real camping instead, or some activity where you can meet their level of interest.

it seems odd to take a child to a loud concert and put earphones on them so it's not loud. Isn't the use of hearing protection a big clue that they shouldn't be there in the first place?

Of course, I'm not talking about older children who are interested in what's on the stage.

I have also heard it said that the only performance one should take a baby to is a bagpipe concert.

Too late to die young

Feb 12 Billy Strings NFK
Feb 18 Marshall Tucker Band Philly
Feb 25 Marcus King Band NFK
April 6 Rosanne Cash NFK
April 15 James McMurtry NFK
April 20 Little Feat VaBeach
April 21 Blackberry Smoke NFK
July 2 Last Fair Deal w/John K VaB
July 23 Dave Mathews Band VaB
July 26 Robert Earl Keen C'ville
July 28-31 Floyd Fest BFE
Sept 24 Southern Culture on the Skids VaB
Nov 19 Dark Star Norva
Dec 3 Sky Dog VaB

awesomebill
Dark Star

Posts: 13

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 14:23:37 GMT -5 via mobile 1karen1 likes this

Quote

Post by awesomebill on Sept 13, 2018 14:23:37 GMT -5

I think it’s important to integrate kids into your life as much as possible to create more rounded individuals who are used to a lot of different scenes and places.

I wear hearing protection at shows myself.

But I’m not talking about throwing my kids in a stroller and noodle dancing until 2am.

I’m talking about approaching it as a family experience and doing it so it works with them. And so they can enjoy the daytime stuff and have a place to chill at night. Hell I’ll sit at my camper and stream it and rock out if I need to and let the wife go.

Again. Someone who takes a kid who’s bedtime is usually 7:30 and expects them not to melt taking them into a crowd for a late night concert isn’t using all their facilities. That’s not going to work.

Also this isn’t bonarroo in a field in mid summer Tennessee. I was thinking this would be a better kind of big fest due to the surroundings and such.

Anyway. I’m just spit balling here.

smosey wales
Merry Prankster

Disguised as a squirrel

Posts: 14,648

If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: Anyone? Anyone?
Number of LOCKNs attended: 6

Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 14:29:25 GMT -5

Quote

Post by smosey wales on Sept 13, 2018 14:29:25 GMT -5

And you are evaluating realistically. It's the ones who don't who end up miserable.

Too late to die young

Feb 12 Billy Strings NFK
Feb 18 Marshall Tucker Band Philly
Feb 25 Marcus King Band NFK
April 6 Rosanne Cash NFK
April 15 James McMurtry NFK
April 20 Little Feat VaBeach
April 21 Blackberry Smoke NFK
July 2 Last Fair Deal w/John K VaB
July 23 Dave Mathews Band VaB
July 26 Robert Earl Keen C'ville
July 28-31 Floyd Fest BFE
Sept 24 Southern Culture on the Skids VaB
Nov 19 Dark Star Norva
Dec 3 Sky Dog VaB

kuriti Old Head Posts: 2,242 If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: Marcel Duchamp Number of LOCKNs attended: 6	Lockn with younguns Sept 13, 2018 15:04:45 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kuriti on Sept 13, 2018 15:04:45 GMT -5 i think you have a realistic expectation. as long as that still scratches your itch, then go for it. I agree that daytime is fine, bed times and drunk people make night time much less reasonable.
	Kuriti Lockn': not dying, still Dead

1karen1
Dire Wolf

Posts: 69

Lockn with younguns Jan 10, 2019 9:58:09 GMT -5 via mobile TOO $, buddy74, and 2 more like this

Quote

Post by 1karen1 on Jan 10, 2019 9:58:09 GMT -5

We’re taking our little guy. He’ll be just under three. He’s been to a bunch of festivals already. Most of them in a tent. I’m a huge advocate for taking kids to festivals and shows.

All you need is some good noise canceling headphones, a stroller or a wagon with good all terrain wheels, and a lot of glosticks to light up your viewing area at night so people don’t accidentally trip over your child.

Lockn is very kid friendly. People are generally well behaved there.

jrtmom
Old Head

Posts: 1,087

If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: BECKBECKBECKBECKBECKBECKBECKBECK

Lockn with younguns Jan 29, 2019 16:47:12 GMT -5

Quote

Post by jrtmom on Jan 29, 2019 16:47:12 GMT -5

I second the Floydfest suggestion. There is no festival with better kid's activities--they have a huge program called Children's Universe which I know well since I've volunteered at the "Bruises Bumps and BooBoos" tent until the new management discontinued it.
Another one with a good kid's program is a small one in NC called Shakori Hills. VERY active programming from babies all the way up to teens.
I think taking kids to festivals is a great experience for both the parents and the kids. It will definitely cramp the parent's style somewhat, but with a great payoff of experiences and memories.
The only one that's kinda sketchy for kids is Bonnaroo, but lots of people do bring their kids there....

estprofinhumboldt
Old Head

Posts: 1,892

If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: Railroad Earth
Number of LOCKNs attended: 2

Lockn with younguns Jan 29, 2019 17:18:29 GMT -5 via mobile

Quote

Post by estprofinhumboldt on Jan 29, 2019 17:18:29 GMT -5

Jan 29, 2019 16:47:12 GMT -5 jrtmom said:

I second the Floydfest suggestion. There is no festival with better kid's activities--they have a huge program called Children's Universe which I know well since I've volunteered at the "Bruises Bumps and BooBoos" tent until the new management discontinued it.
Another one with a good kid's program is a small one in NC called Shakori Hills. VERY active programming from babies all the way up to teens.
I think taking kids to festivals is a great experience for both the parents and the kids. It will definitely cramp the parent's style somewhat, but with a great payoff of experiences and memories.
The only one that's kinda sketchy for kids is Bonnaroo, but lots of people do bring their kids there....

Delfester has a great kids zone too

feel your way back the day before

Jdavidian
Long Distance Runner

Posts: 342

If I could add one artist to the 2023 lineup: Dead and Company or Ratdog..
Number of LOCKNs attended: 5

Lockn with younguns Feb 15, 2019 15:56:58 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Jdavidian on Feb 15, 2019 15:56:58 GMT -5

Most of the kid sections we saw last year were behind sound board where it was more open right before the chairs section. Soo many parents glow-sticked off sections and the kids were boogieing around playing with glow sticks. Couple of em went down for a mid set nap with head phones on but they all did pretty well! I say it's worth the risk!

Wilmington,NC Lockn' represent!

Post by awesomebill on Sept 13, 2018 8:31:48 GMT -5

Post by smosey wales on Sept 13, 2018 8:46:13 GMT -5

Post by hondo on Sept 13, 2018 8:48:52 GMT -5

Post by TOO $ on Sept 13, 2018 8:52:44 GMT -5

Post by kuriti on Sept 13, 2018 10:42:33 GMT -5

Post by awesomebill on Sept 13, 2018 12:01:24 GMT -5

Post by smosey wales on Sept 13, 2018 13:40:26 GMT -5

Post by awesomebill on Sept 13, 2018 14:23:37 GMT -5

Post by smosey wales on Sept 13, 2018 14:29:25 GMT -5

Post by kuriti on Sept 13, 2018 15:04:45 GMT -5

Post by 1karen1 on Jan 10, 2019 9:58:09 GMT -5

Post by jrtmom on Jan 29, 2019 16:47:12 GMT -5

Post by estprofinhumboldt on Jan 29, 2019 17:18:29 GMT -5

Post by Jdavidian on Feb 15, 2019 15:56:58 GMT -5