This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival will take place in Golden Gate Park. The 14 year old festival features over 100 artists across 7 stages and admission is free. The event typically draws 750,000 concertgoers during the weekend.
Highlights in this year’s lineup include Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams, The Time Jumpers Featuring Vince Gill, Kenny Sears, Dawn Sears and Ranger Doug Green, Mavis Staples, Social Distortion, Emmylou Harris, T Bone Burnett, Dwight Yoakam, and Chris Isaak. View the full festival schedule
Festival hours are 10:30am to 7pm on Friday, 11am to 7:15pm on Saturday, and 11am until 7pm on Sunday. The stages are setup in three main areas of the park – Lindley Meadow, Marx Meadow and Hellman Hollow. The latter is named for the festival’s late founder and benefactor, Warren Hellman. Download the festival map
If you’re heading to the festival, be mindful of what you can and cannot bring. Coolers, blankets, and short-back chairs are all allowed. Cameras for photos and video are ok. Weather is expected to be toasty this weekend, with sunny skies and high temps in the 80s. So bring lots of water and sunscreen.
There will be vendors on-site selling food and non-alcoholic beverages. No alcohol will be for sale in the park, however, alcohol can be brought in as per park rules: no hard alcohol or glass is allowed; beer and wine is allowed but only in non-glass containers.
Many neighborhood schools open up their lots for parking fundraisers during the festival, including Argonne Elementary (680 18th Avenue @ Cabrillo), Lafayette Elementary (4545 Anza Street @ 36th), Presidio Middle School (450 30th Avenue @ Geary), and Washington High School (enter on 30th Ave between Geary & Anza). Parking fees range from $25 to $40 per day.
Self and valet bike parking will also be available on JFK Drive near Park Presidio and on Overlook Drive (which will be closed to car traffic). See the festival map for exact locations.
Ruckus is usually less than Outside Lands, but if you are a neighbor and have issues with parking or noise, call the festival hotline at (415) 386-8584.
Mobile apps are available for the festival for iPhone and Android and the HSB website will stream select performers from the various stages throughout the event. Check the Live Webcast page Friday for more details.
Rock on!
Sarah B.
What’s the best bus route to get to star stage. Coming from Laurel heights
@SF hipster: 43 Masonic to Fulton, get off and grab the 5 Fulton westbound, then get off at 30th Avenue & Fulton and walk into the park. Star Stage is right around 30th Avenue entrance to the park.
Sarah B.
Blocking driveways is pretty bad today. Much worse than Outside Lands. I’ve had two cars towed already. It feels like these concert goers are not using public transport and just driving.
Anyone remember the first song Chris Isaak played Saturday?