Parking pointers for folk fest Organizers offer advice on getting around Bangor during event

BANGOR – With the start of the 65th National Folk Festival just hours away, organizers are offering some practical advice to those planning to make the trip, whether they plan to pedal, drive or ride one of the shuttles running between the festival site and Bass Park.

The idea is to help those who’ll be attending get the most of their experience by reducing the amount of time they spend getting there.

This year’s festival runs Friday through Sunday on the waterfront. As many as 100,000 are expected to attend the festival over its three-day run, local organizers predict. That’s a projected 20,000 increase from last year.

City officials say there are about 5,000 parking spaces handy to the festival site, near the waterfront, downtown and at Bass Park.

People who are familiar with downtown Bangor are encouraged to park in the free public lots and spaces downtown or in the Pickering Square Parking Garage for $4.50 a day.

Organizers also have increased the number of shuttle buses that will run between Bass Park and the festival grounds. Each shuttle bus will be dedicated to one of three shuttle stops – the Railroad Stage and the Heritage Stage, both on the festival grounds, and downtown at West Market Square.

That measure is aimed at making shuttle rides less chaotic than last year, when each bus stopped at all three sites, with riders trying to board at the same time others were trying to get off.

Attendees unfamiliar with the city should follow these directions to Bass Park:

. From northbound or southbound lanes of Interstate 95, take Exit 45A to Interstate 395, then take Exit 3B to Bass Park.

. From the east, take Route 1A into Brewer, get on I-395 to Bangor and get off on Exit 3.

For those who want to bike to the festival, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine will provide a free bicycle valet and ride-and-pedal program.

Bicyclists riding in from nearby can ride directly to the valet parking area near the Railroad Stage, located at the intersection of Main and Railroad streets.

Those coming from farther away can drive to one of the seven designated park-and-pedal sites set up along major routes into Bangor. The parking sites range from one to 10 miles in distance from the festival grounds.

Maine law requires a headlight and rear red reflectors visible from at least 500 feet when riding at night. Bicyclists also should wear light-colored or reflective clothing.

While state law requires bicycle riders under 16 years of age wear helmets, all riders should wear them to prevent head injury.