Dick's v Folsom: Location: Downtown Boulder v Commerce City? Easy FF Accessibility: Hotels within walking distance for Boulder but if you weren't staying there, the best parking was a mile away. OTOH, it was a quick downhill back and no traffic once you got there v Dick's traffic. Call it a wash.
tell me you didn’t street park for free in front of the frats without telling me
Tell me that you didn't tell me about the secret parking!
TBH I didn't mind the walk but I was soloing. If I were with someone less able to do a mile-ish walk, it's a different equation.
This is the move. 14th @ Euclid all 3 nights.
This is good information to know!
Although Google Maps says it's not that closer especially if you take out the extra fifth mile or so I did to park in a covered garage. It takes out the hill going up though so that could be a difference.
Made a huge difference for me, not going up hill in late afternoon sun
Definitely can see that. My watch was doing cartwheels over the extra calories burned so I was letting it have its fun!
I think the walk from the lots vs. fraternity/sorority row is pretty comparable depending on which lot you’re in, but can’t beat the price of parking in the Hill. 🅿️
I parked in the (free) 29th street mall garage which my watch pegged at right about 1 mile.
This kind of convo really turns me off of a venue tbh. A car-required place where to figure out parking you have to do research, and even then don’t know for sure where you’re headed *while* you’re headed there? Bah.
There were official lots too that Phish announced but the quest was for free parking!
Official lots you have to pay for? Even worse! How much? But seriously, 1 mile is not a reasonable walk for *many* people who may not even fall into the category of needing accommodations. Otherwise the reports from FF sound good! Not necessarily preferable to alternatives, but solidly Fine
One hopes there is ADA parking and access even given the age of the venue. Campus facilities are very vulnerable to ADA/a11y access lawsuits
Which is why I said that that was a con. I enjoyed it but I know it would be an issue for others. There WERE people running pedicabs to cars but let's not talk about what they were apparently charging.
Oh that is perfect!
It was a PT suggestion. The cons were the hill and crossing 28th, but once I got to my car it was a straight shot to Broomfield and I could get post show cookies at the Whole Fud and not worry about them melting in the sun when I was at the show.
I’ll say - as someone who works at CU, it was *so* fun walking back across campus with the crowds, past buildings I work in, and all the pedicabs weaving through after the shows let out. I love Dick’s just like the rest of us but selfishly hope they are welcomed back to Boulder.
The traffic mess getting out of Dicks the last few years honestly soured me on the venue. But I do miss closing out summer tour in CO. Folsom was a great experience.
I haven't been to either place but doesn't Dick's have The Plague???
THAT WAS JUST THE ONE TIME!!!
Ok. But still....
Shakedown: Dick's. Duh Security: Oddly there were cops on the field, but really no one seemed to care much. They just vaguely glanced at my bag. No cape/clipboard issues. FF but it's close. Food: FF. Not even close. There were food trucks. But Dick's food sucks!
Ease of floor: There were portapotties and water spigots on the floor which was a pro, but there were also a LOT more stairs, many without handrails. So many stairs, even some gratuitous ones. Folsom was built before the ADA and it shows. Gotta give it to Dick's. Sound: Just about even but...
Weird quirk with FF. Because of the upper deck, the repeater speakers had to be higher so the sweet spot behind them was pretty much the very back of the floor. Unfortunately some of the more chomping people migrated there too Saturday in what was prob. an attempt to be respectful. Slight edge Dicks
View from the crowd: both are somewhat similar (nothing much behind the stage but views of mountains Fish side), but Folsom is closer to the mountain and the building behind the stage is cooler. Slight edge FF Things within walking distance: Boulder v acres of parking lots? Not even close. FF
The ability to climb up and see the mountains was pretty cool. We stayed in this spot N3 and the sound was great, plus killer views.
Respective holiday weekend: FF is not open for Labor Day since school is back so it's 7/4 if they do it. July 4 is peak summer travel season, much more than Labor Day, and there's a major girl's softball tourney in the area. Also it's nice to have an end of summer blowout. HUGE edge Dick's.
That's a big enough deal that I think I'd prefer Dick's in 2026 to Folsom but really I'll take either and it's a lot closer than I expected as I somewhat begrudgingly went to these shows.
Much closer than expected for me. The walkability and beauty of the CU campus adds a lot. Security was much cooler than I expected, too.
Appreciate your take! Since no one asking me, I’d vote Boulder over Dicks. Restaurants and hotels just a lime scooter away. Far more efficient entry and exit. Covered concourse for inclement weather including shade from sun. Sound better at Folsom. No dusty grilled cheese lot or nitroushood
Plus, the big boss has spoken. “Been too long since we’ve been back here. 1993 was the last time. Can we not wait so long again please”. Or something like that. We could do the 4th at Folsom and Labor Day Dicks, 3 nights. Every decent airport has a non stop to DEN.
I was at the 93 show. I didn't venture Page side until Saturday so I didn't realize that the venue I saw them there was literally attached to FF.
Were they in that indoor track where your booth was?
Shakedown is getting shaky these days for sure with all of the balloons but there's still really fun stuff to be seen there. If we could have FF over Labor Day...
