How to Plan a Day at the Newport Folk Festival

Plan a day at the Newport Folk Festival in Newport, Rhode Island, to see the same stage where folk artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez made a name for themselves. The Newport Folk Festival began in1959 as a not-for-profit event, showcasing up and coming folk acts and continues on today, featuring popular folk-rock performers and mainstream bands.

Things You'll Need

• Binoculars
• Still camera
• Cooler
• Cash
• Tickets
• Directions

Instructions

1. Find out when the next festival is being held. You can find this information easily on the Web site. You can find that link and more information in the resources box below.

2. Find out who is playing and when. You won't have access to the official lineup right away, but as the date of the festival draws nearer you'll be able to find more information. Check back at the Web site occasionally to see if they have announced the next lineup. Check out your favorite band's Web sites and see if they are planning on playing later in the year, as they'll know before the lineup is released and will let their fans know.

3. Get tickets soon. Visit the Web site and click the tickets link and find out when tickets go on sale. Mark the date in your calendar and be ready to order before they sell out! Find out what day you want to go and buy a ticket for that day as soon as possible.

4. Find accommodations. If you are coming from abroad, you'll want to secure a hotel room ahead of time. Click on the venues link to find out where the shows will be and look for a hotel nearby. Visit the venue's Web site to see if they have any recommended hotels.

5. Book your travel to Newport. There is a link for travel to the festival, but you may want to shop around on your own if you are flying in. Look for deals that give you hotel or car rental discounts.

6. Check the forecast. A lot of the events will be outside, so check the weather report for the dates of the show.

7. Pack. Bring one cooler (no larger than 16-by-12 inches) one blanket and a low-backed chair per person. Other things you might like to have with you is a handheld still camera, sunscreen, snacks, a hat with a brim, sunglasses, binoculars and anything else you can think of that will enrich an outdoors concert.

8. Get to the venue. Look up directions ahead of time or ask the hotel front desk how to get there. You can drive there and park in the parking lot for $6 or you can take a shuttle bus or water ferry. See the Web sites for shuttle schedules.

9. Enjoy the show! Try to see as many of your favorite bands at the Newport Folk Festival as you can! Pack well and be safe.

Tips & Warnings

• Subscribe to the eList for updates on the Newport Folk Festival arriving in your e-mail inbox as soon as news breaks.

• It'll be cheaper (for parking, travel, and accommodations) if you go in a big group. Find out if any of your friends are going and get a group discount.

• Kids can get discounted meals from selected vendors.

• The water ferry costs $5. It leaves from Old Port Marine near the visitor's center downtown continuously throughout the day. Buses pay $20 for parking.

• Most of the events are held at Fort Adams State Park or Newport Casino at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. See the Newport Folk Festival Web site for maps and directions.

• Dress in layers. The temperature can change throughout the day.

• Glass containers, beach umbrellas, audio/video recorders, pets and bikes are prohibited.

• All coolers will be searched. Glass jars will be confiscated (pickle jars, mayonnaise jars).