Some buy tickets, some put money in collecting tins, some go to part of the free fringe at local festivals and buy tickets for those further afield, some pay their 'folkie dues' by organising regular local events, some come to the fringe and add to the ambience by playing or singing in pubs - good for trade in the town, some are just members of the general public enjoying the spectacle, or moaning about the disruption.

Room for all.
I don't like the term freeloaders.