I believe any festival for which anything is charged is not a festival but is infact an "anti-festival". No matter what you charge to get in you are keeping someone out. I owe my interest and love and participation in the folk to being able to attend music festivals for free whilst a student. I would not be here otherwise yet more often than not that priviledge is now lost for many who can not come in. It is a shock to realize how many we have lost through the greed of management companies and organizers.

And a word to the wise here. Never, ever , ever volunteer to help a festival unless you know where the money is going, how much money is taken in and why it has to be collected. A famous organizer of a virginia celtic festival is famous for saying "if it weren't for the volunteers we could not do it" truth is that if it wasnt for the volunteers he could not have a few trips to europe and a home in a wealthy suburb and an imported car....And of course musicians could not cross the country in airplanes and stay at hotels. So I said to a prominent musician you were here on saturday (yesterday) then why werent you at the festival meeting and greeting....Oh didnt you know all the musicians not playing that day were at the hotel in the pool.....This we dont need!

I like to believe that festivals should be just as barn raisings and covered dish dinners.

Everyone comes together and brings to the table what they have and we call it even.

Additionally no one is paid- they do it for love.

Furthermore- Everyone is of the folk and no one is professional. Yup- get a day job or stay away if you cant afford to be there (most people can afford to donate their time every so often full time is not necessary)

If you want to sell stuff while in the festival fine. If you trust your art it will sell if not then keep working on it.

As for toilets and food- simple- pack it in and pack it out. How many park service trails have toilets and food concessions yet they go on for miles!

What about all the technicians....Well we just ask them to be as dedicated to the music and the folk as everyone else. You bring what you have. If that skill is lighting and sound bring that.

Now that should solve your questions.

Lets have a lot fewer "anti festivals" and a lot more festivals where one can simply gather and share.

And furthermore....performers do not leave real festivals right after their performance nor do they stand behind fences eating special free donated food appart from others. Mr folkman to paraphrase Ronie Regan- tear down those walls.

Real festivals are about sharing, jamming, sessioning and have to have nothing at all to do with money.

If you need money go elsewhere. If you need songs and the tradition come on down. Take a look at this link for a bit more:the oral tradition link Conrad