Living in the Philly area, I have been to the PFF a number
of times, both camping and commuting. It was never my
favorite FF--I like Clearwater, Old Songs, Champlain Valley,
and Gottagetgon a lot better. Last time I went was about 5
years ago, so I may not be up on more recent changes.

If you are camping in a van or an RV, you want to arrive as
early on Thursday as possible, and then be prepared to WAIT!
There is a very particular way that they pack the RVs in
there! People camping in groups get there groups together
off-site, so they can be together on the grounds.

Camping in the tenting area is more like anarchy--long-
established groups who camp together get there early and get
a big chunk of land under tarps to be their "living rooms".
Vehicles are not allowed in the tenting area, even to drop
things off, so plan ahead as to how you will move your
cooler, tent, etc. Some people use hand trucks to bring in
generators, refrigerators, couches, and everything else
imaginable! People who arrive later are left to stake out
whatever territory they can grab, as long as it's not in the
fire lanes. There is a section of the tenting area that's
supposed to be quiet at night. My guess is that quiet is a
relative term, relative to the fact that the rest of the
campground can be quite noisy. A lot of the noise may well
be related to the amount of alcohol being consumed--for some
people, camping with friends and consuming alcohol seems to
be the reason for coming to the fest!

FYI, it is a long walk over hilly, rugged ground to get from
the campground to the area where the performances are.
Bring sunscreen and hats, because there is virtually no
shade in the "auditorium", except in the area where
children's concert and activities are held. There are about
3 or 4 other "workshop" stages, and a dance tent. These
workshops are very large, so if you want to get close to the
stage, get there early. Late Saturday afternoon they have a
concert with two well-known performers or bands. Then they
have "sweep", when they require everyone to leave the
"auditorium" and hang out in the "lobby" for 30-40 minutes.

People who are most anxious to stake out a plot of ground for
their group for the evening concert will make sure to leave
the afternoon concert early so they can be in the front of
the line to get back in. When the gate is opened there is a
rush for "prime real estate", so don't get in the way!
People who pay extra for reserved seating get to sit the
closest, actually get a chair, and get to sit with people
who act like they are there to hear a concert! The rest of
the people may be talking, drinking, tending to children,
dancing, or going back and forth to the refreshments, port-a-
potties or smoking area throughout the concert. For those
who are sitting a long way from the stage, there are 3 big
movie screens that show a close-up version of the act on
stage.

They do have some big-name performers, and they have a lot
of acts that appeal to young people, sort of today's version
of folk-rock. Philly is a sort-of recurring Woodstock every
year, but it doesn't always pour and creat mud--sometimes
it's hot, dry and so dusty you want a bandana to tie over
your nose and mouth. If you're getting older and have
problematic joints, you may find that during the evening
concerts, the damp cold gets in your joints. I actually
wear long underwear to the evening concerts, add sweatpants
later, and wrap in a blanket a bit later.

Hope I'm not too much of a downer!

Marymac