MUSEYON BOOKS Smart City Guides for Travel, History, Art and Film Lovers
Seattle’s Bumbershoot, taking place at the Seattle Center in Washington, will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and has been celebrating all summer with photo contests, parties and cupcakes galore. What first began as a city-funded arts and music festival in 1971 with a budget of only $25,000, has since evolved into a multi-day event taking place each year over the Labor Day weekend (September 4th- 6th). The range of artists for 2010 run from musical headliners Bob Dylan and Courtney Love to comedians Patton Oswalt and Donald Glover as well as a host of visual artists.
Because Bumbershoot takes place in a large city, standard festival norms don’t always apply. What will need to know for this year is:
For 2010, the festival will no longer be offering free wristbands for the Main Stage, instead tickets must be bought, which are $40 (that includes children). Cheaper, $22, day pass tickets can be purchased that allow you into the festival grounds but not into the Main Stage. If you aren’t too concerned with seeing Weezer or Drake, then the $22 pass is the way to go. For that price you get all to see all the rest of the stages which are hosting cool indie bands like The Dandy Warhols (!), Jenny & Johnny (Jenny Lewis and Jonathan Rice), The Thermals, Surfer Blood and Japandroids. Tickets can be bought day of at the box office and
There is no camping at Bumbershoot so accommodations in Seattle should be made ahead of time. The Bumbershoot site offers some suggestions but for hostels, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Luckily, the Seattle Center is located in the northern end of downtown so public transportation is available. If you are driving, make sure to get there early since spots fill-up quick.
Once in the festival grounds, you are allowed to leave and return at will. Food and alcohol will be sold at the fest but no alcohol is allowed to be brought in; food is though and coolers will be checked for anything prohibited.
For a complete schedule, click here and check out the map of the grounds below.
