First presented in 1934, the National Folk Festival is the oldest multicultural arts celebration in the nation. This “movable feast” of American heritage has traveled to 27 communities around the country to celebrate traditional music, dance, storytelling, crafts and food. Now entering its 64th year, the festival is being held in Bangor, Maine, one of the smallest cities ever to be host of this national event. The producing partners of the National Folk Festival are the National Council for Traditional Arts, the Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau, the city of Bangor and Eastern Maine Development Corp. in partnership with the Maine Folklife Center of the University of Maine.

Festival Admission

Admission is free to all festival programming!

Park and Ride

Free festival parking will be at the Bass Park complex off Buck Street. Volunteer parking attendants will be on-site to help direct festival attendees. Free shuttle service will transport people to the National Folk Festival site on the Penobscot River waterfront.

Bicycles

Bicycles parking will be available on the Folk Festival site in a special bike parking area overseen by Folk Festival volunteers.

Remember that Maine state law requires a headlight and rear red reflectors visible from at least 500 feet when riding at night. Flashing taillights and light-colored and-or reflective clothing are highly recommended. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 16 but everyone should wear a helmet to prevent head injury.

Information Booths, Festival Schedules

General festival information will be available at the two major festival portals, Railroad Stage and Pickering Information booths. A third information booth will be located in the center of the festival site near the Penobscot Stage.

What if it Rains?

Most festival stages and presentations are covered by tents. If the weather appears threatening, bring an umbrella. “The show will go on” as they say, rain or shine unless there is a concern for the safety of the public.

What to Bring

You may want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and bug repellent. Your credit card may come in handy if you wish to purchase festival memorabilia and CDs of your favorite performing artists.

Collapsible chairs and a blanket would come in handy. Some stages will have seating, but others, such as the large Railroad Stage, will require that you bring your seating.

Finally, please don’t forget your prescription medications

and again, just in case, bring your insurance and Medicare cards.

Medical and Emergency Services

Minor medical emergencies will be treated at the first aid station on the festival site located near the harbor master’s office on the waterfront. Emergency medical services will be located on-site.

Medical services are sponsored and coordinated by Eastern Maine Healthcare.

Bucket Brigade

The volunteers who make up the Bucket Brigade (aka Bucket Heads) are a happy corps of community volunteers who encourage festival-goers to support the National Folk Festival. You will see the Bucket Brigade at the festival stages throughout the festival site. Please drop your donation in the bucket to help cover the costs of the festival.

Lost People

If a child has lost track of his or her caretaker, the child should remain in the found area for 10-15 minutes in case the caretaker comes back. After that time, the child should be taken to the First Aid Center.

All lost people will be directed to the First Aid Center unless their party has made arrangements to meet elsewhere.

Restrooms

Portable restroom facilities and hand washing stations are located at numerous spots throughout the festival site. See map for facilities closest to you.

Handicapped Accommodations

Handicapped parking facilities will be available at Bass Park.

Baby Changing Stations

There will be two baby changing stations on the festival site located on Front Street near the First Aid Station and in Pickering Square.

Schedule Subject to Change

Programs and performances are accurate as of press time, but may change. Check stage signs and at information booths for performance and scheduling updates.