Mile High Music Festival survival guide

Rocky Mountain News

Published July 17, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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Photo by Tyson Anderson/Rocky Mountain News

Mile High Music Festival map

Organizers expect more than 50,000 people.

Forecasters are calling for highs in the 90s.

Bands are preparing to play for more than 24 hours over two days.

So how do you survive the Mile High Music Festival Saturday and Sunday outside of Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City?

"Comfortable shoes is the most important thing," said Rob Thomas, general manager of the Mile High Music Festival. "And sunblock."

Some other tips to help you get there and back in one piece:

How to get there

* By bus - RTD's 88 bus from the Stapleton Transfer Center stops at 56th Avenue and Quebec Street, about three blocks from the festival grounds. Call RTD at 303-299-6000 or log on to rtd-denver.com for routes.

* By car - There are three entrances to the onsite parking:

* Quebec Street and East 60th Avenue

* Quebec Street and Prairie Parkway (64th Avenue)

* From Interstate 70, go north on Havana Street to 56th Avenue, then turn left and follow the parking signs.

* By carpool - Load your car with four or more and make a noticeable sign that says "Car Pool to Mile High" and you'll get close-in parking at the lot off the 64th Avenue entrance.

* By shuttle - Shuttles will run from the Northfield shopping complex, "but there should be enough parking onsite to accommodate everybody," event gen- eral manager Rob Thomas said.

* By taxi - Metro Taxi will provide hybrid taxi service to and from the festival. Call 303- 333-3333 for more information and to schedule a pick-up.

What you can bring

* Strollers

* Small backpacks and fanny packs

* Collapsible chairs

* Empty soft-sided water bottles and factory-sealed water (less than one liter)

* Sunblock, bug spray and lip balm

* Walkie talkies

* Blankets

* Small cameras

* Binoculars

What you can't bring

* Large or hard coolers

* Pets

* Glass

* Tents

* Footballs, Frisbees

* Bikes, skateboards

* Pro camera equipment

* Weapons, chains

* Drugs, alcohol

* Fireworks

* Framed backpacks

Amenities

* ATMs are onsite, but credit cards aren't accepted by vendors.

* Fifty-three local restaurants will sell food and drink onsite.

Festival schedule

Saturday

* MAINSTAGE

12:30 p.m. Meese

2 p.m. Gavin DeGraw

4 p.m. Citizen Cope

6 p.m. O.A.R.

9 p.m. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

* BULLSNAKE STAGE

12:30 p.m. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers

2 p.m. State Radio

4 p.m. Steve Winwood

7 p.m. Michael Franti & Spearhead

* LIZARD STAGE

Noon Eric Hutchinson

1:15 p.m. Hill Country Revue

3 p.m. Jason Mraz

5:30 p.m. moe.

* BISON TENT STAGE

11:15 a.m. Meniskus

12:15 p.m. Railbenders

1:30 p.m. Bob Schneider

2:45 p.m. Mike Gordon

4:15 p.m. Andrew Bird

6:30 p.m. Spoon

* ELK TENT STAGE

Noon Born in the Flood

1:15 p.m. Newton Faulkner

3 p.m. Josh Ritter

5 p.m. JJ Grey & Mofro

7:30 p.m. Lupe Fiasco

Sunday

* MAINSTAGE

12:30 p.m. Brett Dennen

2 p.m. OneRepublic

4 p.m. Rodrigo Y Gabriela

6 p.m. John Mayer

8:45 p.m. Dave Matthews Band

* BULLSNAKE STAGE

12:30 p.m. Ferras

2 p.m. Martin Sexton

4 p.m. Flogging Molly

7 p.m. Black Crowes

* LIZARD STAGE

Noon The Whigs

1:15 p.m. Rose Hill Drive

3 p.m. Colbie Caillat

5:30 p.m. Flobots

* BISON TENT STAGE

11:15 a.m. Samantha Farrell

12:15 p.m. Serena Ryder

1:30 p.m. Ingrid Michaelson

2:45 p.m. The New Mastersounds

4:15 p.m. Leftover Salmon

6:45 p.m. The Roots

* ELK TENT STAGE

Noon Photo Atlas

1:15 p.m. Alberta Cross

3 p.m. Tea Leaf Green

5 p.m. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

7:15 p.m. Pinback

Festival information

* When and where: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dick's Sporting Goods Park; doors open at 10:30 a.m.

* Cost: $85 per day, $150 for both

* Info: TicketHorse.com, milehighmusicfestival.com

• July 18, 2008

  10:04 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  hikingartist writes:

  50,000 people? I don't care if Hendrix himself was on the bill, this sounds like a harsh day in the sun at a unproven venue.
  "Comfortable shoes is the most important thing," said Rob Thomas.
  I suspect the most important things are water and money. I seriously doubt they are going to allow any food or liquids through the gate and attendees will have to pay a premium for either one. Pray tell, how much is one beer, Mr Thomas?
  I prefer RockyGrass next weekend (capacity 3500), a proven festival in an open meadow next to a river, where I can take my own food and drinks (no glass!).

• July 18, 2008

  10:54 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  temurlan writes:

  You are allowed to bring in one unopened bottle of water. That's it.

  #1 most important rule to surviving Music Fest: Don't go

• July 18, 2008

  12:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  I_Slay_The_Dragon writes:

  Heartbreaker Mike Campbell is one of THE most under-rated
  guitarists, in Rock. Innovative and versatile, and a bunch of
  great songs, prove it.

• July 20, 2008

  1:28 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LPG writes:

  No, shoes aren't the most important thing - we were there yesterday and I can tell you that WATER is the most important thing. They'll let you in with a couple of bottles. If it's not Dasani, they'll remove the labels. Water costs $3 there. Beer is $8 per cup. Bring a small cooler (I do mean small) and pack it with ice...you're going to need it desperately. Take an umbrella and some bandanas that you can soak in water to put around your neck, etc. It's beastly hot. Parking is ample but make sure you park close to the entrance/exit because you'll wait FOREVER to leave otherwise. Music is great, though. :-)

• July 20, 2008

  1:31 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LPG writes:

  Oh, and take a small flashlight or some light sticks so you can see at night, esp if you're going with friends and want to find them again. Food isn't good there, so take something that's filling.

• July 21, 2008

  3:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  avsgurl writes:

  I went on Sunday and it was amazing. They did a wonderful job. I was quite impressed.

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