Unfortunately, if you want an organization to ignore safety concerns, you'll have to promise them that no one will sue them if something happens. I agree that people ought to be responsible for themselves, but an organization like Folklife can't afford to have that be their plan.

The unpleasant fact is that if there were a deadly situation and people were unable to leave the area or medical people couldn't get to an area because of the crowds, Folklife would get sued for millions of dollars.

I also don't think the buskers are the cause of crowds at Folklife, and I have no problem walking through their act if their audience is blocking the walk.