Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in beautiful downtown Gallagher Park.
There is NO ON-SITE PARKING. Use Park & Ride or Edmonton Transit System
Park and Ride: University of Alberta, any campus lot --special Folk Fest parking rate is $3.75 per day--tell attendant you are attending the Folk Festival.
Bus pick up-- south east corner of the Butterdome (87 Ave and approx. 114 St).
Bus fare--
one-way is $2.50 for adults and $1.00 for children ages 6-15. Children 5 years and under are free. Cash fare only; ETS passes, tickets and transfers are not valid for payment. Please note: bus drivers do not carry change.
Note: Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre is NO LONGER a Park & Ride site.
Buses run every 15 minutes during the Festival. Hours of operation are:
Thursday 3:30PM - 11:30PM;
Friday 3:30PM - 1:00AM;
Saturday 8:30AM - 1:00AM;
Sunday 8:30AM - 11:30PM
Regular transit service: bus transit service goes right by the park in all directions. Call 496-1611 for information.
Open 4:30 PM on Thursday & Friday and 9:30 AM Saturday & Sunday. Evening ticket holders can enter after 4:30 PM .
To ensure fair, orderly line-ups that create minimal intrusion and noise in Cloverdale Community, there is a lottery for line-up position for all 4 days for those who wish to line up before the gates open.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Entrance Procession: Patrons will be escorted at a walking pace in groups of 25 from both North and South gates to the seating area. Gate volunteers will control entry to ensure everyone's safety; there will be NO RUSH!
Exchange your ticket for a wristband. at the gates.Weekend pass subscribers can get one wristband for the whole weekend. This enables you to come and go from the site and is a requirement to verify you have purchased a ticket. Patrons who remove their wristband may be escorted from the Festival site.
Mainstage from 6 PM to 11 PM on Thursday & Sunday, from 9 PM to 12:30 AM on Friday and 6 PM to 12:30 AM Saturday and 2-3 PM Saturday & Sunday.
Sessions (workshop) stages will run on Friday from 6-9 PM and on Saturday from 11 AM-2 PM and 3-9 PM and on Sunday from 11 AM-2 PM and 3-6 PM.
How Can I Get a Program? Program books are available on site, with complete schedules, site map and performer bios. Complete performers' lineup, along with mainstage schedules, biographies, discographies and more, are posted on this website under Programme, starting May 30, as information becomes available. Sessions schedules will be posted as soon as they're finalized.
Bike lock-up, family area, food and beverage concessions, beer garden, crafts, recording and memorabilia sales, information tent, lost & found, first aid, non-smoking area, telephone, washrooms, water & wash stands, recycling stations, environment tent, insta-bank. See Festival program book for complete information about services and site locations.
The Folk Festival has a complete program to accommodate patrons with physical challenges. Handicapped parking is available just North of the Main Gate and volunteers will meet you at the North gate to assist.
Wheelchair access: Volunteers can assist your ability to move around the site and a special seating area at mainstage is available.
Hearing impairment: Magnetic induction loops have been installed at all performance areas to enable hearing the music. Ask Access Crew or Information Tent volunteers for a loop receiver (or use your T-switch hearing aid) or for specific locations at each stage.
Visual impairment: Ask for Braille or large print Festival information at the Information Tent.
This is a very friendly Festival where strangers respect each other's needs during the Festival weekend.
On-site: Bennett Centre -- hostel style but ready for families. Call 1-800-664-6630 or (780) 468-1439 or email Bennettc@epsb.edmonton.ab.ca.
Close by, Edmonton has many hotels within walking distance of the site downtown. Contact your travel agent or Edmonton Tourism at 1-800-463-4667 or (780) 496-8400.
Hotel & Pass: Several downtown hotels offer accommodation and Festival passes. Go to www.staytoplay.com for information.
Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Edmonton Offers a special Festival Rate for August 7-10, 2008: $105 single, $112 double , based on double occupancy; includes free parking, complimentary continental breakfast, free local calls, highspeed wireless internet access, indoor pool, hot tub and sauna, restaurant and lounge onsite, as well as free in room coffee and tea with a daily newspaper. Located on the south edge of downtown, we are close to the Festival site, so you can leave your car in our free guest parking lot take a cab (short ride). The more adventurous, weather permitting of course, may choose to walk to the festival, maps are available but give yourself about a 30 minutes to get there. Mention the Festival rate when you call to ensure the best value in fun, clean and comfortable downtown accommodation. Reservations 1-888-384-6835 or visit us online at link
Stay at MacEwan: Located in downtown Edmonton at 11050 – 104
Avenue, MacEwan Residence offers easy and convenient access to Gallagher
Park in Edmonton’s spectacular river valley, shopping, restaurants
and entertainment. MacEwan Residence is a smoke free environment, and provides
common area lounges where guests can relax while watching television or
meet with fellow Folk Music Festival patrons and participants. All suites
feature double beds, kitchenettes and private bathrooms. Parking is available
adjacent to MacEwan Residence. For a virtual tour of MacEwan Residence,
go to link.
For reservations phone: 780-633-3623 or 780- 633-8000 ;fax: 780-497-4264; E-mail: conferenceoffice@macewan.ca
When booking request the special Edmonton Folk Music Festival rate:
2 bedroom suite (2 double beds) $80/night; Bachelor suite (1 double bed)
$65/night; 4 bedroom suite (4 double beds) $160/night (limited number);
Guest Room (1 queen bed) $72/night; Guest Room (1 queen & 1 double bed)
$85/night. **Rates subject to applicable taxes
Rooms are available on a first come first service basis. Credit card information
is required to secure a room.
University of Alberta, Lister Centre: Located across the street from the Park & Ride service, Lister Centre offers a variety of accommodation from $39-105 per night per room. For information, go to their website at link or email: guest.services@ualberta.ca To reserve a room, use this pdf and fax it to (780) 492-7032. Lister Hall reservations
Hostelling International-Edmonton Hostel: Located in Old Strathcona just off Whyte Avenue at 10647-81 Avenue, Hostelling International-Edmonton offers dorm and private rooms from $26.40 per night. Open 24 hours. Fully equipped self-service kitchen, courtyard, games room and library. Reservations recommended. Call 1-877-467-8336 or www.hihostels.ca FOLK FEST SPECIAL: Show your Folk Fest tickets or wristband and get member rate!!!
Camping: There is no on-site camping but you can camp in Edmonton at the Rainbow Valley Campground, located in a beautiful spot right beside the North Saskatchewan River. For reservations, call 780-434-5531.
For information regarding other attractions in Edmonton and Alberta call Alberta Tourism at 1-800-661-8888. Also see Other Alberta Festivals.
