February 3, 2010
Tips On Visiting The Newport Folk Festival
Every year since 1959, the Newport Folk Festival has been a wonderful two day music event and epicenter for the folk music scene. It's brought a number of famous musicians into the spotlight and fan's scrapbook pages before they were popular, and continues to be a showcase for talent both old and new. For these reasons, it's considered a great musical destination during the summer. If you're considering folk festivals this summer, here's a few tips I've picked up from the Newport event.
When arranging for travel to and from the event, weight the options of Newport's accommodations very carefully. Parking is available at Fort Adams State Park during the festival, but campgrounds are not offered during the run of this festival. However, other nearby campsites are open, like Melville Ponds, which is held in high regard.
To get to the Newport festival, driving, bicycling, taking a bus, or taking a water shuttle are all workable options. A parking pass is affordable and can be purchased with tickets ahead of time. Bicycles aren't allowed into the festival premises, but can be kept and locked in one of many bike-friendly areas in the park. Since so many people drive to the festival, taking a bike or a mass-transit option is probably faster.
The restricted items for this festival have much in common with those of other large multi-day, multi-stage music events. Glass, alcohol, animals, and recording equipment are all banned from the festival area, and these limits are strictly enforced, so please follow them if you want to be able to stay throughout the day. One restricted item that is treated a little differently is the beach umbrella, but this is only if a medical exception is present.
Since it's the middle of summer when the Newport folk festival takes place, make sure to bring a large supply of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, or whatever else helps keep you healthy through long exposure to strong sunlight. Also bring some money for the wonderful food vendors, especially the local delis that have set up shop around the main stage. As far as clothing is concerned, use common sense, but versatile footgear will make a big difference, like rugged leather brown boots.
Sometimes gear will be displayed around the festival, like a takamine acoustic guitar, which can be used to perform and demo. One sponsor a few years ago had a songwriting contest! The other local vendors have some interesting stuff as well.
Please enjoy one or both of the festival days, stay safe, and tell your friends about this magnificent event!
Filed under Ballroom Dancing Lessons by Sophie