About the Festival

What is Bumbershoot?
Bumbershoot®: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival is now in its 36th year. Since 1971, Bumbershoot has drawn artists representing the best in music, film, comedy, spoken word, dance, visual, performance, and literary arts to the Seattle Center over Labor Day weekend. North America’s largest urban arts festival, Bumbershoot takes place in the heart of the city at the 74-acre Seattle Center. Over 150,000 visitors from near and far spend the weekend reveling in the world of Bumbershoot, experiencing everything from regional favorites to international superstars across all arts disciplines.

How does Bumbershoot work?
One low ticket price gets you on to festival grounds each day and from there the world of Bumbershoot is at your fingertips. Explore groundbreaking local, national, and international artists in all mediums at a variety of large and small, indoor and outdoor venues*. Participate in hands-on activities throughout the festival and enjoy music, theatre, dance, literary arts, visual arts, and more all in the same day! Bumbershoot also features a variety of food and merchandise vendors throughout the festival grounds—there’s plenty to eat, see, and do all weekend long.

*Admission to venues with a maximum capacity is on a first come, first served basis.

Where did we get the name Bumbershoot?
From the slang:

bum⋅ber⋅shoot
—n. informal
An umbrella.

The word bumbershoot first appeared in the U.S. around 1915-1920. It is thought to be an alteration of the umber- part of umbrella plus a respelling of -chute (as in parachute). Bumbershoot was chosen as the festival’s name as a metaphor for the festival being an umbrella for all of the various arts and performers it encompasses.

Directions

Where does Bumbershoot happen?
The Bumbershoot festival is held on the campus of the Seattle Center, a 74-acre park located at the north end of Seattle’s downtown, in the lower Queen Anne neighborhood. The park was chosen as the site for the 1962 World’s Fair and was featured in the film “It Happened at the World’s Fair” starring Elvis Presley.

How do I get to Bumbershoot?
Visit our Getting There page where you’ll find downloadable driving directions, maps, parking information, and other transportation options.

Hotels

What is the official hotel of Bumbershoot?
Grand Hyatt Seattle is an official hotel of Bumbershoot and is located at 721 Pine Street in downtown Seattle. Save 30% when you make a reservation over Bumbershoot weekend!

Are there other hotels near Seattle Center?
There are many hotels in the neighborhoods surrounding the Seattle Center.
A list of nearby hotels is available at Citysearch.com.

Parking

Where can I park when attending Bumbershoot?
The Seattle Center is surrounded by a generous amount of public and private parking. However, due to the popularity of the festival, parking can sometimes be difficult to find, especially in the afternoons. A few tips:

• Consider using public transportation to get to Bumbershoot—no parking to worry about!
• Allow yourself plenty of time to find parking.
• Please be considerate of the folks who live in the neighborhood surrounding the Seattle Center—obey posted parking rules, don’t block driveways, and drive slowly on residential streets.

Please visit the Seattle Center’s website, where you will find extensive information on transportation options and parking information.

Public Transit

How can I reach the venue by public transportation?
On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Metro will operate two special shuttle: one between the Northgate Park & Ride and Seattle Center, the other between Downtown Seattle and Seattle Center.

The Northgate Bumbershoot Shuttle will runapproximately every 20 minutes from 11:00 AM to 11:30 PM, with service between the Northgate Park & Ride at NE 112th Street and Fifth Avenue Northeast, and Seattle Center, on Mercer at 3rd Avenue North (in front of the Intiman Theatre). Metro shuttles will make limited stops on their route to Seattle Center at the Northgate Transit Center at 10200 1st Avenue Northeast, and along Aurora Avenue North at North 105th, North 85th, North 76th and North 46th. More info online at transit.metrokc.gov

The Downtown Bumbershoot Shuttle will run approximately every 10 minutes from 10:45 AM to 11:30 PM, with non-stop service between 3rd Avenue and Pike Street in downtown Seattle, and 5th Avenue North and Broad Street at Seattle Center . There is a $1.25 fare for the northbound shuttle to the Festival, with a free return trip downtown. More info online at transit.metrokc.gov

Metro also provides regular bus service to Seattle Center on 13 routes. The routes providing direct service are 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 24, 33 and 74.

Finally, you can use Metro's Rideshare program to find carpool partners to Bumbershoot by visiting rideshareonline.com and selecting "Ridematch to Regional Events." Follow the easy instructions to find others to share the ride to concerts and other events.

Biking

Is there a place to store my bike?
Bumbershoot is located within biking distance of many of Seattle's great neighborhoods. Once you arrive at Seattle Center, you can secure your bike at corrals just outside the festival gates located near the Intiman Theatre / Exhibition Hall or the Space Needle.

What’s Nearby

What else is there to do in the Seattle Center neighborhood?
As if Bumbershoot wasn’t enough, the Seattle Center is located between the lower Queen Anne and Downtown neighborhoods of Seattle. Both are filled with dozens of shops, restaurants, cafés, record stores, and more. There are plenty of places to explore, relax, and enjoy before, during, and after the Bumbershoot festival.

Hours

What time do gates open and close each day?
Gates will open at 11am and close at 11pm each day.

All Ages

Are there any age restrictions for Bumbershoot?
All performance venues and exhibition areas are “all-ages.” Once inside the Bumbershoot grounds, parents and guardians should use their own discretion as to what programming they deem suitable for their children to experience. Extensive children’s programming for kids 12 and under will be available in the Center House.

The only areas with restricted entry are the beer gardens located throughout the grounds. Beer gardens are 21+ with appropriate ID (mandatory). Children, including babes-in-arms, may not enter the beer garden areas under any circumstances. Please see "Alcohol" in this document for more information on Bumbershoot beer gardens.

Bumbershoot Jobs

How can I be involved with Bumbershoot?
We are looking for energetic, responsible and customer friendly people to work at Admissions for Bumbershoot. If you are interested please fill out an application today.

Changes

Bumbershoot events are subject to change or cancellation at any time. We will do our best to notify attendees of all changes and cancellations in advance, however all scheduled events are subject to change at anytime with no notice.

Children

Do children have to obtain a ticket?
Children 5 and under do not need a ticket to attend Bumbershoot. Children between 6 and 10 will need a ticket. Please see Tickets for information on discounted tickets for children.

Are there any age restrictions for Bumbershoot?
All performance venues and exhibition areas are "all-ages." Once inside the Bumbershoot festival, parents and guardians should use their own discretion as to what programming they deem suitable for their children to experience. Extensive children's programming for kids 10 and under will be available in the Center House during Bumbershoot.

The only areas with restricted entry are the beer gardens located throughout the grounds. Beer gardens are 21+ with appropriate ID. Children, including babes-in-arms, may not enter the beer garden areas under any circumstances. Please see Alcohol section above for more information on Bumbershoot beer gardens.

Entry and Re-Entry

Where can I enter if I've already purchased my ticket?
There are four entry gates for Bumbershoot 2006:

• Gate 1 - (orange) on Thomas Street, between the Space Needle & Monorail
• Gate 4 - (purple) on 1st Avenue N. on the west side of KeyArena
• Gate 6 - (blue) on Mercer Street, between the Bagley Wright and the Intiman Theatres
• Gate 9 - (green) on Broad Street, just off the Space Needle turnaround

Where can I enter if I have NOT yet purchased my ticket?
There are two box offices at the Seattle Center grounds this year. They are:

• Gate 1 - (orange) on Thomas Street, between the Space Needle & Monorail
• Gate 6 - (blue) on Mercer Street, between the Bagley Wright and the Intiman Theatres

View a map of the Bumbershoot grounds for more information.

Are we allowed to leave and come back later in the day?
Yes, re-entry is allowed. Upon exiting the festival your ticket will be scanned and you will get a hand stamp. Just present your ticket and hand stamp at the gates when you return and in you go.

On-site Event Entry

Does my ticket guarantee me entry to any of the on-site events?

• Indoor venues, excluding the Mainstage:
  Once inside festival grounds, entry to the indoor events is on a first come, first served basis. Capacity varies for the assorted indoor venues, but plan ahead and allow yourself enough time to get to the venue before the show starts.
• Outdoor stages, excluding the Mainstage:
  Outdoor stages, excluding the Mainstage, do not have a set capacity, but plan on getting to the stage area early to find your ideal vantage point.
• Mainstage performances:
  • Evening shows on the Mainstage require an additional free pass. Passes may be obtained on the day of show at one of the four Information Booths on festival grounds, on a first come, first served basis. You must show your Bumbershoot ticket for that day to receive a Mainstage pass for that evening. One Mainstage pass per person/ticket will be given out. Evening Mainstage shows in 2006 that require a free pass are: AFI with Yellowcard and Hawthorne Heights (Saturday 9/2), Kanye West with Blue Scholars (Sunday 9/3), and A Tribe Called Quest with Atmosphere (Monday 9/4).
  • Afternoon Mainstage performances do not require an additional pass—they are first come, first served only.
  • Bags may be subject to search before entering any Mainstage show.

Hours

What time do gates open and close each day?
Gates will open at 11am and close at 11pm each day.

Tickets

How much do tickets cost?
Please see Tickets for complete pricing information for Bumbershoot tickets, including 1-Day and 3-Day passes, Gold and Platinum passes, and discounted tickets for children, seniors, and disabled patrons.

Where can I get Bumbershoot tickets in advance and save money?

• At select Western Washington Starbucks locations—with no service charges!—beginning August 5.
• Online at www.bumbershoot.org through Tuesday, August 29.
• At all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 206-628-0888 beginning July 15.
• Advance ticket prices are valid July 15 through August 25

Where can I get tickets during the festival?

• At select Western Washington Starbucks locations while supplies last—with no service charges!
• At the gates located on Mercer Street (Gate 6 - blue) between the Bagley Wright and the Intiman Theatres, and Thomas Street (Gate 1 - orange) just south of EMP. A service charge of $3.50 will be applied to all debit/credit card purchases. View a map of the Bumbershoot grounds for more information.
• At all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 206-628-0888.

Where can I get Mainstage passes for the evening shows?
Mainstage passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis at three information booths, which are located as follows:
1. East side of KeyArena
2. Roadway between Bagley Wright Theatre and the Intiman Theatre
3. Southeast corner of the Fun Forest Arcade / Near the IMAX dome adjacent the Broad Street lawn

Where can I pick up my Will Call tickets?
Tickets and passes ordered for will call will be available for pick-up during festival days. Will Call is located at the Mercer Arts Arena Box Office on Mercer Street. Hours of operation are 10:30 AM–9:30 PM.

Who needs a ticket to Bumbershoot?
Anyone aged 6 and over will need a ticket to the festival. Discounted tickets for children (aged 6-10), seniors (65 and up), and persons with disabilities are available. Children 5 and under do not need a ticket. Please see Tickets for more information on ticketing options.

Access Services for the Disabled

What services are available for patrons with disabilities?
Bumbershoot works hard each year to make the annual Labor Day arts extravaganza accessible to everyone. It is our goal to offer an enjoyable experience with the fewest barriers at every venue and program for those needing special accommodations.

Please visit our Accessibility page for more information or download a PDF of the Bumbershoot 2006 Access Guide for Persons with Disabilities brochure. If you do not have Acrobat installed on your computer already, you can download it for free from the Adobe web site.

Alcohol

Can I bring in my own beer, wine, or liquor to the festival?
We’re sorry, the Washington State Liquor Control laws prohibit outside alcoholic beverages from being brought on to festival grounds. You may purchase beer and wine in the Bumbershoot beer gardens with proper ID.

Can I buy beer and wine at the festival?
Beer and wine are available for sale inside festival grounds at the Bumbershoot beer gardens. You must be 21+ and you MUST present valid and acceptable ID to enter the beer garden.

What are acceptable forms of ID?
Acceptable forms of identification include a current state issued driver’s license or ID card, a current Canadian driver’s license or ID card, military ID, or a valid passport. International driver’s licenses are not accepted (excepting Canada). Expired ID cannot be accepted.

What are the legal restrictions on the beer garden?
The following rules are set by the Washington State Liquor Control Board and we are required by law to enforce them:

• All patrons, regardless of age (whether you’re 21 or 101!), MUST present valid and acceptable ID to enter the beer gardens. No ID = no entrance, no exceptions.
• No one under the age of 21 is allowed into the beer garden. Children, including babes-in-arms, may not enter the beer garden under any circumstances.
• No beverages, other than bottled water, may be taken out of the beer gardens.
• Outside beverages of any sort (even water) are not allowed in to the beer garden. There are non-alcoholic beverages available for sale in the beer garden.

ATM Locations

Are there any ATMs located on festival grounds?
There are several ATMs located on-site at the Seattle Center during Bumbershoot. Please see the Bumbershoot directories at the information booths or ask a staff member for ATM locations.

Audio/Video Recording

May I bring audio or video recording equipment to record the events?
Audio and video recording equipment is not allowed at Bumbershoot—please leave this type of gear at home.

Banners/Signs

Can I hang a banner or a sign at the Seattle Center during Bumbershoot?
Banners and signs from anyone other than our sponsors, vendors, and approved participants are prohibited on Seattle Center grounds during Bumbershoot.

Beverages & Food

Can I bring food or beverages on to festival grounds?
You are permitted to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages in plastic containers into the festival.

• Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine may be purchased inside the Bumbershoot beer gardens with proper ID (See the Alcohol section above).
• Absolutely NO glass bottles are allowed inside festival grounds.

Where can I get something to eat or drink at the festival?
The Bumbershoot festival includes a variety of food and beverage vendors featuring cuisines from around the world. Plan your meals by previewing our list of Bumbershoot food vendors, and come hungry!

You can also visit the Bumbershoot beer gardens, which feature a variety of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for sale. You must be 21+ and have proper valid ID to enter the beer gardens (See Alcohol section above).

Cameras

What is the camera policy at Bumbershoot?
Professional cameras (digital SLRs, detachable lens cameras, etc) are not allowed at the festival. No photos of the artists or their work can be taken without prior approval and a sanctioned Bumbershoot photo pass. Absolutely no audio/video recording devices are allowed on grounds.

Cell Phones

Are cell phones allowed at Bumbershoot?
Cell phones are allowed on festival grounds, but as a courtesy to artists and other patrons, we ask that you please turn your phones off during performances, especially at the indoor venues.

Info Booths

Where can I get Festival information?
The four information booths for 2006 are located as follows:
1. East side of Key Arena
2. Roadway between Bagley Wright theatre and the Intiman Theatre
3. Southeast corner of the Fun Forest Arcade / Near the IMAX dome adjacent the Broad Street lawn
4. Inside the Center House, across from Michaelangelo's

Lost & Found

Where can I report or recover a lost item?
A central Lost & Found is location at the Seattle Center Customer Service Office, located on the north balcony in the Center House.

Where should I turn in a found item?
If you find an item that is possibly lost, please turn it in at the nearest Information Booth. Bumbershoot staff will make sure it gets to the Lost & Found area at the Center House Information Booth.

Lost Children

How should we prepare our child for a day at Bumbershoot?
Bumbershoot is a large festival with many attendees and is a wonderful experience for children. As with any outing, please make sure to go over basic safety rules with children before arriving at the festival. Remind children to stay within your sight at all times. Also, point out Information Booth locations and Bumbershoot staff members to children so they know who to ask for help if they should become separated from you.

What is KidSafe?
Bumbershoot is now offering free wristbands to help reunite lost children with their parents and/or guardians as part of our new KidSafe program. When you arrive to the Festival, go to the Info Booth inside the Center House to complete a short registration form with your contact info and get a numbered wristband for your kid. In the event he or she is separated from you and brought to Bumbershoot Staff, we'll contact you immediately! This free service is also available for adults with disabilities.

What should we do if our child becomes separated from us?
If your child becomes separated from you, please report it immediately to the nearest Information Booth, Bumbershoot staff person with a radio, or Lost Kids HQ on the third floor of the Center House. The Bumbershoot team is very experienced and knows just what to do to help reunite you with your child as soon as possible.

Where is Lost Kids Headquarters?
Lost Kids Headquarters is located on the third floor of the Center House.

Map

Where can I find a map of the Festival grounds?
You can download a PDF map of the grounds now, or you can find a full-color map in our free program, distributed at Information Booths during the Festival.

Merchandise

Will artist merchandise be available for sale at the festival?
Yes, with occasional exceptions. Most touring artists bring merchandise. Please visit the information booths on festival grounds for more information on where artist merchandise will be available for sale.

Will Bumbershoot merchandise be available before the festival?
Yes, indeed! For the first time ever, you can give your T-shirt that lived-in feeling before the Festival! Find select colors in both the 2006 Bumbershoot Official and Fine Arts styles at Red Balloon, in downtown Seattle. Red Balloon is located at 624 Olive at the intersection of 7th Street and Olive Way, across from Pacific Place Center. The store is open 8:30am–5:30pm Monday through Friday, and 10am–5:30pm on Saturday.

Will Bumbershoot merchandise be available at the festival?
Yes, indeed! Bumbershoot t-shirts, posters, sweatshirts, and other merchandise will be available for sale direct from us after the festival, while supplies last. Get your goods at Bumbershoot to guarantee the best selection, or check in at bumbershoot.org after Labor Day for a second shot.

Will Bumbershoot merchandise be available after the festival?
Yes, indeed! Bumbershoot t-shirts, posters, sweatshirts, and other merchandise will be available for sale direct from us very soon. Please check back soon for more information.

Pets

Can I bring my pet to the festival?
Pets are not prohibited on Seattle Center grounds, but we strongly encourage you to leave them at home! Warm weather, lots of people, and stressed out pets are not a happy combination. Please leave your pets at home where they will be safe, relaxed, and comfortable.

Service animals are welcome. Please see "Access Services for the Disabled" in this document for detailed information.

Political Activities at Bumbershoot

Can I gather signatures, distribute political information, or conduct other political activities at Bumbershoot?
Yes, but the activities are subject to restrictions to maximize the safety of those who attend the festival. Political activists must review, complete and sign the Political Activity Rules or obtain the form at any of the Info Booths during the event prior to engaging in any political activities.

Prohibited Items

What items are prohibited at the festival?
The following items are prohibited:

• Audio and/or video recording equipment
• Professional Cameras
• Cane Umbrellas
• Alcoholic beverages
• Glass bottles
• Chairs
• Lasers/laser pointers
• Weapons of any sort (firearms, knives, explosives, etc.)
• Projectiles of any sort
• Illegal drugs of any sort
• Air horns or any other noisemakers

The following, while not prohibited, are strongly discouraged:

• Pets (excepting service animals)

Bags may be subject to search before entering the Mainstage.

Seating

Are there chairs at the venues and does my ticket reserve my entry and/or a seat?

• Events are held in a variety of settings and venues, some containing seats, and some not.
• Entrance to the venues and seating (where available) is general admission and is available on a first come, first served basis. Your festival ticket does not guarantee entrance to any specific event.
• Platinum and Gold Pass holders do have access to reserved seating, subject to capacity. Please visit the Platinum & Gold page for further information on the benefits of the Platinum and Gold Passes.

Seattle Center

What should I know about Seattle Center?
Supported by the people of Seattle, Seattle Center is a world-class, modern urban park. Seattle Center produces 63 annual programs that are FREE or low cost to the public, and hosts over 5,000 shows and events on a yearly basis. They are home to more than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations, on a 74-acre campus that includes 24 acres of open space. Each year, over 12 million visitors make Seattle Center their favorite Northwest destination, and these visits annually generate $1.15 billion in business activity and $387 million in labor income for King County. For more information, visit seattlecenter.com.

Smoking

Is smoking allowed at the venues?

• Smoking is not allowed inside any of the indoor venues.
• Smoking is not restricted at any of the outdoor areas of Bumbershoot, but we do ask that you try and be courteous of fellow festival attendees. We also ask that you dispose of all smoking-related garbage (butts, packages, etc.) in the appropriate receptacles.
• Washington State law prohibits smoking near all doorways, windows and air ventilation systems associated with any public building.

Performing, Busking & Vending

Is Street Performing (Busking) allowed at Bumbershoot?
Street Performing (Busking) is allowed at Bumbershoot, with agreement to certain rules and conditions. Each Street Performer must purchase an admission ticket. Spaces may not be reserved in advance. Complete Rules and Liability Release for Street Performing are available for download, and will also be distributed on grounds by Bumbershoot's Street Performer Coordinators. The Agreement and Release form should be returned on grounds, directly to the Street Performer Coordinators. Please see the attached for complete information. If you have any questions, please contact bob (at) onereel.org.

How can I perform or exhibit or sell at Bumbershoot?
Bumbershoot uses an application process to select local and regional participants for the festival. Application deadlines for the 2006 festival are closed. If you are interested in participating in Bumbershoot 2007, please check back in mid-December for applications or use the box to the right to sign up for e-mail notifications. Application deadlines for the various categories occur between January and May and will be posted on the website in November.

Strollers

Are strollers allowed at the festival?
Strollers are allowed.

Can we rent a stroller at the festival?
There are no strollers available on festival grounds for loan or rental. Please plan on bringing your own form of transportation (stroller, sling, frontpack, backpack, etc.) for your children.

Weather

What happens if it rains?
Bumbershoot will go on, rain or shine!

May I bring an umbrella to the festival?
Small (non-cane-style) umbrellas are allowed on the Festival grounds, but absolutely no umbrellas are allowed inside Memorial Stadium.

Wheelchairs

Are wheelchairs available at the festival?
A very limited number of basic wheelchairs are available for loan at the festival and can be obtained at the Information Booth inside the Center House. You must complete a form and present positive photo identification which will be held while borrowing the wheelchair. If wheelchairs are in high demand you may be limited to 2 hours for use.

Please see the Disabled Guest Services section above or email access (at) bumbershoot.org for information about wheelchair accessibility to the Bumbershoot venues.

Address

What is the address of Bumbershoot?
Bumbershoot takes place at the Seattle Center, between Mercer Street, Denny Way, 5th Avenue North and 1st Avenue North, in the lower Queen Anne neighborhood, just north of downtown Seattle.

To map this location, you can use 305 Harrison Street as the street address. Also, see Get There, or the Seattle Center website for more information.

To correspond with Bumbershoot, please see our Contact page.

Contacting Us

How do I contact Bumbershoot?

• If you can’t find the answer to your question on the Bumbershoot website or if you have other questions or comments, please e-mail info (at) onereel.org
• For press inquiries, please e-mail press (at) onereel.org
• For ticket sales or information, please visit www.bumbershoot.org/tickets/
• For questions about a ticket order you‚Äôve recently placed, please e-mail bstix (at) onereel.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

How can I volunteer at Bumbershoot?
A full list of volunteer opportunities at the festival is available at onereel.org/volunteers.

Music, Arts & Vendor Applications

How can I be a part of Bumbershoot?
Applications in all areas of the Festival can be found at bumbershoot.org/apply.htm. Please visit that page for complete details, including application guidelines, deadlines and submission information.