Festival Info
Saturday, July 11th & Sunday July 12th - noon to 9:30pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Where, When?
The 2009 Chicago Folk & Roots Festival will be held Saturday, July 11th, and Sunday, July 12th. The gates open at noon each day - and the music runs until the city shuts us down at 9:30PM!
The festival is held in Welles Park - between Montrose and Sunnyside along Lincoln Avenue, directly across from the Sulzer Library.
I'd like to be a vendor at the Festival this year - who should I talk to?
Contact Tim Harkins at tharkins@oldtownschool.org or 773.751.3342.
Click for Application for Non-Food Vendors and the Application for Food Vendors.
How do I get to the festival?
Please avoid the hassles of trying to find parking, and use public transportation.
The Western station on the CTA's Brown Line is two blocks north of the festival on Lincoln Avenue, and both the Lincoln Avenue bus and the Western Avenue bus stop within blocks of the festival as well. The CTA has a handy little trip planner on their web site to help you speed your way here.
If you bike, we'll have plenty of rack space near each of the three entrances - no bikes will be allowed on the grounds of the festival.
How much does it cost to enter?
We kindly ask for a $8 donation ($4 for seniors, 65 and over, and $4 for kids). Your donation helps support not only our ability to put on the festival each year, but also all the rest of the School's programs (did we mention that we're a not-for-profit organization?)
$50 and $100 bills, while perfectly valid currency, won't be accepted - please don't take it personally.
I'd like to market my company through a sponsorship- who should I talk to?
Sponsors provide critical support for the Festival and are vital to its success. Contact Eric Delli Bovi at edellibovi@oldtownschool.org or 773.751.3431 for more information. You can also check out the sponsorship information page.
Where should I stay if I'm coming from out of town?
We highly recommend the Double Tree Hotel & Conference Center Chicago North Shore. Great rooms and amenities - many of our artists rave about the quality and service, like their multi-million dollar renovation, indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center, free parking and internet access.
Since it's about halfway between the festival and O'Hare airport, it's also worth mentioning that American Airlines is the official airline of the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Is there an ATM around here somewhere?
North of the festival, there are two banks near the corner of Lincoln and Wilson Avenues. South of the festival, there is an ATM at the Golden Angel Pancake House and another at the Jewel at Lincoln and Cullom.
Can I bring my dog?
Sorry, but dogs are not permitted at the Folk and Roots Festival unless they are service animals.
Can I bring refreshments?
We can't allow coolers, glass bottles or cans into the park.
Can I record any of the performances?
Sorry, but at the request of our artists no recording devices will be allowed.
Where is the lost and found?
Any lost items we find will be kept at the Old Town School's Membership tent on Lincoln Avenue.
