This is gonna be the first Fest for my friends and I. I'm committed to drinking, drugs and seeing as many kickass bands as possible, and reading this message board has definetly given me a chubby for Fest VI. We're looking at like four or five drunks from the South Side of Chicago, who don't care about living cheap (i.e. peanut butter and Ten-High whiskey) and I've just got some preliminary questions you Fest Vets should be able to answer.

If we were to go down in a van (her name is Shitbox) are there any not-too-hazardous places to park? Would Shitbox be safe for the weekend? Really, I'd like a somewhat centralized place to use as a home base.

How hot/godawful humid is it in Florida around Fest Time? Coming from Chicago we'll be sporting our leathers, but I'm guessing the switch to shorts will be made somewhere South of my present location . . .

Basically, can I get away with sleeping in a van, if I'm clever and have a bit of insider . . . insight, I guess.

Other than that, uh, I guess I'm looking forward to my first Fest. I'm totally fucking quitting my job for it.

there are a good amount of places where shitbox can be safe. I'm not to sure about the sleeping in a van part but it really wouldn't surprise me at all. although i personally wouldn't sleep in any car in Gainesville unless you got a fan going on in that thing.
it's Florida, during Christmas I'm still bitching about how hot it is, last year there was some light rain that made it nicer but its always up in the air.

There are tons of bums here that sleep all over so I dont see why you wouldnt be safe doing it...just as long as you aren't parked somewhere where you will get towed. It will be kinda hot though...not as bad as it is right now...i'm about to die.

The Measure slept in a van last year that was parked in a lot behind the ABC motel, a short jaunt off the main drag, where a lot of us were crashing. I do know they were hot and uncomfortable, but it got them through the weekend unmolested.

light rain ?!?!? friday night was fucking pouring !!!!!

actually now that you mention it i do remember getting poured on while trying to get into common grounds to watch armalite

Thanks you your replies - I feel a bit more confident about my gang of ruffians making it through the weekend now. We might split a cheap motel room, but that's not as likely as us spending hotel money on drugs instead.

I've read on this board that there aren't forty-ounces in Florida, which blows my fucking mind. I understand you people have thirty-two-ouncers, though. I'm just trying to get a picture on a booze per-diem for the crew . . . How much is a cheap thirty-two (also what is the cool slang term for them) of some solid, gut-rot malt liquor? Is a thirty case of cheap beer in the ten-to-twelve dollar area?

Friend of mine slept in his van outside side bar last year. Florida's hot and sticky though, AC is a must.

haha, we call them quarts. and a quart of cold gold will set you back $1.39. around my neighborhood anyway. i don't think i've seen 30 packs here either, just 24.

How the hell do you people get drunk in Florida? A buck thirty-nine ain't bad, I suppose . . . No thirty packs, either? Jesus. Judging from this board, there's a fair amount of free beer to be had, but still. I am set in my ways, and fear change.

you think you have it bad? ive been drinking Sake and wine non-stop since my summer began, so the switch to beer is gonna be a rough one. Nonetheless i welcome it with open hands.

Are you some kind of masochist?

How "sponsored" is it by PBR? Riot Fest was "sponsored" by PBR and it was still five fucking dollars a can.

I think I got myself a 30 pack of PBR from the liquor store down the road from the ABC last year, but it might have been a 24 or something, but whatever...getting drunk should NOT be a problem for any Fester who is so inclined.

Well, I am so inclined, so drunk I shall be, I suppose.

Now about those drugs . . .

it's nicknamed cocainesville for a reason.