Fest folks are ready to party
8/28/09 | 36 comments
poll

Fest folks are ready to party


By land and by sea, fans find their way
By Emily Burnham
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO
American Sign Language interpreter Toni Versteeg channels the gospel sounds of Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes to the audience at the Railroad Stage at the 2008 American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront.Buy Photo
Some come for the music. Some come for the food. And some come for the experience.

Whether your motivation is smoked salmon on a stick, soul music or just soaking it all in, the American Folk Festival has turned Bangor into a destination. For one weekend in August, there’s nowhere better to be in Maine than the Queen City. “We always have that map up in the festival, where people put pins up noting where they’ve come from,” said Heather McCarthy, the festival’s executive director. “Maine and New England are covered, of course. Then there’s the rest of the Eastern Seaboard. The data summary we do each year says 10.6 percent of festival-goers come from other states, and 0.8 percent are international. They really come from all over.”

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McCarthy estimates that more than 125,000 people will flood the Bangor Waterfront this festival weekend, which kicks off at 6 tonight with a performance from the Lost Bayou Ramblers.

Some will pile into the car and drive; some will team up with friends and take motorcycles. A few will come by water; many will come by bicycle. Festival-goers from previous years will remember hang gliders and unicyclists.

There are lots of ways to get to the American Folk Festival.

Motorin’

For three years, Bangor resident Dennis Hill has, over the course of the festival weekend, led volunteers from the second section of the Anah Shrine Temple in Bangor in parking more than 3,800 cars at Bass Park. It’s a big job, but someone’s got to do it. The Shriners stepped up to the plate.

“It’s our major fundraiser for the year. It requires a lot of work and a lot of people,” Hill said. “At this point, we’ve gotten it down to a pretty well-oiled machine. We know what we’re doing.”

Hill sees lots of license plates come through each year. Most are from Maine, naturally, but plenty are from the Northeast and beyond.

“Lots of New York, lots of Massachusetts,” Hill said. “Last year we saw more Canadians than before. A couple from Ohio last year came in a camper, and said it was their fourth year coming. That was kind of neat.” The biggest challenge in squeezing all those cars into that space is trying to multitask.

“We’ve got six people taking tickets, selling tickets, and there’s always more people coming in,” Hill said. “A lot of people that have handicapped plates say they’re really glad we’re here. We’ll get a golf cart and run someone who can’t walk the distance to the buses. It’s a nice feeling.”

Hill and his fellow Shriners get a chance to check out the festival when they take a break from parking cars. In all, he said, the weekend is a highlight of the summer for all involved.

“Oh, it’s a blast,” Hill said. “There’s lots of water and sun block. It’s really fun.”

Pedal power

That big yellow tent at the corner of Broad and Washington streets looks like a cool, shady oasis — but in reality, it’s just another parking garage. Instead of cars, though, the tent holds bicycles. Lots of bicycles, from sleek Bianchi road bikes to kid-sized Huffys. Each year, hundreds of festival-goers choose to park their cars and take their feet off the gas pedal in favor of putting them on their bike pedals.

“The bicycling community in Maine is a fun bunch. It’s a welcoming bunch,” said Allison Vogt, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the group that helps coordinate the bike parking at the festival. “We’ve seen growth all around, from the Common Ground Fair to the folk fest. With all the growing concerns about the environment and saving money and being healthy, it just makes sense to ride your bike.”

Bangor resident Steve Ropiak is in his sixth year running the bike-parking tent. An avid cycler, Ropiak has seen a steady increase in the number of cyclists taking advantage of the bike tent. Last year’s close to $4-per-gallon gas prices helped a bit, though not as much as he expected.

“I think $10 a gallon gas would help a lot! Everyone would be riding their bikes everywhere, if that happened,” Ropiak said. “But barring that, we’ve seen a slow increase over the years. There’s such a great community of cyclists in Maine. People take advantage of the Park and Pedal sites, which are great for any level of rider.”

Ropiak gets to see firsthand the kinds of folks who ride their bikes to the festival — from families with young children to spandex-clad long-distance cyclists. While he estimates the majority of riders come from a 10- to 15-mile radius of Bangor, Ropiak has seen riders come from as far away as Belfast and Ellsworth. “We see all kinds. We see hard-core bikers, and we see Mom and Dad on their road bikes and the kids on their Stingrays,” Ropiak said. “We get a lot of tandem bikes and bikes with a tag-along on the back. It’s a really great way for families to do something fun together.” Vogt hopes to see more large events in Maine take the initiative to offer Park and Pedal sites and valet bike parking. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works with state and local governments not only to ensure that bikers have safe opportunities to ride, but also to make sure fairs, festivals and public spaces are accessible to bikers of every stripe.

“I’d like to see something at the Maine International Film Festival in Waterville, or the North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland,” Vogt said. “In San Francisco [leaders] passed a law that any event that brings more than 2,000 people in needs to have bike parking. We could do that in Maine.”

If by sea

Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 are filled each festival weekend with cars streaming in from all over, but the closest highway to the American Folk Festival is a natural one — the Penobscot River.

For obvious reasons, boating or paddling up the river to the festival isn’t quite as popular as driving or riding. But there are people who do it, according to Bangor Harbor Master Gerald Ledwith.

“We usually get some folks taking little cabin cruisers up the river and docking by the festival,” Ledwith said. “To put it in perspective, the Folk Festival and the Fourth of July are definitely my busiest times of year.”

Hamlin’s Marina in Hampden most years gets boaters reserving spots at their docks, just a few miles down river from the Bangor Waterfront. General manager Dan Higgins books boaters each summer, though he said this year hasn’t been quite as busy as previous years. “We get lots of transients calling up and reserving space,” Higgins said. “None of those big boats have this year, however. I don’t know if it’s the economy or what. Probably some folks will come up last-minute, though.”

Brad Ryder, owner of Epic Sports on Central Street in Bangor, said each year he has seen canoes and kayaks make their way up the river over the course of the weekend.

“I’ve observed a number of kayaks and canoes on the water during performances, especially by the Two Rivers stage,” said Ryder, who is also a member of the festival board of directors. “The area under the bridge, by the Sea Dog and Aubuchon Hardware, is accessible for paddlers to pull their boats up during high tide.”

Ryder cautioned, however, that the Penobscot River could be a tricky one to maneuver for the inexperienced paddler.

“It’s so lovely to look at, and seems so calm, but as benign as it looks, it’s really got quite a powerful current. People forget it’s tidal,” he said. “You’ve definitely got to be careful. But it’s a great perspective from which to see the festival, absolutely. The fact that it’s on the river is part of the experience.”

eburnham@bangordailynews.net

990-8270

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Comments
36 comments on this item
On 8/27/09 at 10:30 PM, Mainer72 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Enjoy it and have fun folks. Not worth going. They beg you to much for donations.

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On 8/27/09 at 10:58 PM, SLM414 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

But worth paying to be where you won't be, Mainer72

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On 8/28/09 at 12:04 AM, mainejeff wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good one! If Mainer72 isn't there.......then I am!

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On 8/28/09 at 3:00 AM, ryanrrobbins wrote: Click here to view hidden comment         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
On 8/28/09 at 3:53 AM, BernieMad wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

MCcarthy claims 160,000 to sponsors, it would take for 160,000 people 64,000 parking spaces 31,000 a day and acording shriners get 3,500 all weekend where do the other 27,500 cars park per day

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On 8/28/09 at 7:17 AM, TruthinMaine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is a waste of $1 million dollars of charitable dollars for a three-day festival that could be going to other worthy charities. A good bulk of the Maine funds are being spent on out of State performers. Even the tent company they use is out of State...they are Canadian. Good luck moonbats, keep praying for $10 a gallon gas to pump up bicycle use. Your right Bangor will be flooded this weekend...it is supposed to be a washout!

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On 8/28/09 at 7:41 AM, MayorMcheesy wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How much of that 1 Million did you donate TruthinMaine?

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On 8/28/09 at 7:52 AM, TruthinMaine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good question, but it has no bearing Mayor Moonbat McCheesy. I would guess that every Bangor taxpayer has contributed by paing for all the City services used to prop this event up.

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On 8/28/09 at 8:21 AM, luvthebluharp wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well one things for sure.... I wont be going to the Fair in Dover. The Folk Fest seems to be a much better deal than Dover. Guess they didnt learn anything from the Bangor Fair. Who cares about the economy???? Yeah yeah I know B@#%h & Complain!!!

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On 8/28/09 at 8:46 AM, usafbangormaine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'll be donating to the seadog...

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On 8/28/09 at 8:49 AM, MayorMcheesy wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Just by using the term moonbat tells me a lot about where you stand...and for the record Im far from being one....but keep listening to that trash on the radio and letting them clowns tell you how to think. As for the bangor tax payers footing the bill...I think that is covered and then some by all the people from out of town/state/country that are here to see the festival, all the local establishments were slammed last night due to outoftowners.

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On 8/28/09 at 9:13 AM, redsoxnation wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Have these people seen the weather forecast for Saturday? Danny is bringing 3-5 inches of rain and high winds. Hopefully thay have those tents secured properly or they will wind up down by Hollywood slots.

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On 8/28/09 at 9:28 AM, PabMainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

redsoxnation agreed and too bad the weather may get nasty on Sat....there is still a little hope that the storm could stay further out and be less of a problem but forecast calling for heavey rain and winds later in the day on Sat....:(

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On 8/28/09 at 9:36 AM, MayorMcheesy wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

sat may be a wash, but tonight and sun. are still looking good

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On 8/28/09 at 11:05 AM, ricts1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It is cerainly a shame that the weather is going to put a damper on some of the shows. The festival folks put an awful lot of hard work in to provide it, only to have the one thing out of their control, the weather, creating problems.

As for the shows themselves, not many are my cup of tea, but I love the fact that there are so many different styles being showcased for those who are interested. Just getting a chance to wander around, seeing people, eating lots of stuff I probably shouldn't.... it sure is an enjoyable time.

Best of luck to the Festival!

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On 8/28/09 at 1:15 PM, VOM_sux wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is a free event right in your own town... how can you NOT go??? LAME!

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On 8/28/09 at 1:27 PM, Mainer72 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

well vom it might be free but just wait and see how many times they ask for donations. ITs gets really annoying after the 25th time.

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On 8/28/09 at 1:45 PM, DaddyBiggs wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mainer72, stay home and sulk. The reason they asked you nummerous time to donate is because you're a tightwad and didn't. Anyone who donates gets a sticker to put on your shirt or hat so they don't keep asking for a donation. If you could find it in yourself to donate just a dollar...never mind...just stay home. Nobody there will miss you.

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On 8/28/09 at 1:53 PM, ricts1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

After all, a dollar might be too much to ask in exchange for performers from all over the world performing simultaneously on several different stages, with food and beverage readily available, with transportation to and from the parking area.... Yup, a dollar is pretty steep.

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On 8/28/09 at 2:03 PM, redsoxnation wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Why don't all you readers stop by the festival, check out all the people, have a beer in the beer tent, eat some lamb on a stick, messy ribs or funnel cake. Listen to some strange music, watch people dance oddly....Take it for what it is ... a little culture. It only come once a year and someday it won't come back.

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On 8/28/09 at 2:24 PM, Noblamegaming wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

"Have these people seen the weather forecast for Saturday? Danny is bringing 3-5 inches of rain and high winds."

How quickly they forget. Seem to recall last weekend's forecast being a lot worse than this weekend's. Oops. Missed it by that much!

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On 8/28/09 at 2:28 PM, mrwaldo wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

its is a waste of resources...but people can spend thier money wherever they want....irving, shaws...insurance, healthcare. They must have an arrangement to pay for the reported 350 extra police hours needed for the weekend event....

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On 8/28/09 at 2:28 PM, ilovebama_37129 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I hope the IDIOT wishing for $10 a gallon gasoline has fun on his bicycle this weekend when the downpour starts. As for myself, I will be in gas guzzling toyota staying DRY............

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On 8/28/09 at 2:29 PM, Paperreader wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Agreed, redsoxnation. I am perplexed by the negativity of some people. What's the problem with attracting 100,000 people to little Bangor, Maine once a year for a world-class event like the Folk Festival? Those people spend money locally--on lodging, on food, on souvenirs, on gasoline. Talk about stimulus money! Perhaps if some of the nay-sayers would visit (with an open mind, preferably), they might discover something to appreciate--the music, the food, the river, the incredible complexity involved in setting up six performance stages and associated sound equipment, the fact that hundreds of volunteers work together in this community to make it all happen.

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On 8/28/09 at 2:34 PM, redsoxnation wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Rain or shine, I'll be there. Tonight, more than likely in the beer tent or the Sea dog deck. Come have a pop with redsoxnation.

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On 8/28/09 at 3:22 PM, DaddyBiggs wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

See you in the beer tent. I'll be the handsome guy in the tan shorts.

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On 8/28/09 at 3:29 PM, Mainer72 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well daddybiggs, your wrong a gain most bucket brigade just takes the money and runs and dont offer a sticker wow a 2cent sticker for a daollar lol

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On 8/28/09 at 4:11 PM, DaddyBiggs wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mainer72, you're ignorance is breathtaking. Troll.

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On 8/28/09 at 5:59 PM, capehartmainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'm not going...

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On 8/28/09 at 6:01 PM, capehartmainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

firstly... not going to support anything else in Maine like this...worthless junk thats over policed and over exagerated

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On 8/28/09 at 7:16 PM, commonsense wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good grief people, go have some fun! Bangor Maine, nothin happens in Bangor Maine. Kick up your heels, have a few brews, enjoy yourselves. Stop whining. It's free. You don't have to put money in the pot if you don't want to . No matter how many times they ask.

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On 8/28/09 at 7:45 PM, Mainer72 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

wow daddybriggs lets see hwo many people they say attendended tonight and lets check out tomrrow. Keep your comments to your self troll

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On 8/29/09 at 1:00 AM, Yesman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Why bother posting anything if you are only going to complain about something you obviously contribute neither time nor treasure to (the folk fest) and complain about something you have no control over (Danny, etc)? Is evereryone else so sick of your whining that you need to type it here? Spare us readers the trouble.

The Folk Fest is AMAZING with a capital ZING. Can't you fathom how this party (piddling in cost relative to this region's billion dollar economy) has lifted this town and everyone nearby? Believe me, it has, and will continue to, as long as they are more people whom agree with me than with thee.

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On 8/29/09 at 8:34 AM, fredrogers wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

$ 1,000,000 to put on this fabulous event.

Yet we we cannot ask 100,00 folks to pay $ 10.00 bucks to go to the AMFF for three days of a festival?

Huh?

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On 8/29/09 at 11:31 PM, HughGRexxion wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

All these Folk Festival people are a bunch of freaks. I was standing next to a young couple at the Blue Canoe store today. They both smelled like they never took a shower or used deodorant. If this is the kind of people the Festival attracts, I say shut it down!

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On 8/30/09 at 9:18 AM, Mainer72 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Lol hugh i luv it

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