How much are tickets?  

The festival is FREE! . . . thanks to the kind support of numerous sponsors, donors, in-kind laborers, the extensive year-round work of the all-volunteer festival co-coordinators and planning group, and the work of the town manager and fest chair, and the summer interns. See the Sponsor tab for our supporters. Donations and volunteers are greatly appreciated to keep the festival free.

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How can I make a donation? 

At the festival, you may make donations in any of the festive blue and gold donation barrels in the park, in buckets at the merchandise tent, or in buckets brought through the music crowd. See also donor levels of giving and how to donate under our Sponsors tab. We appreciate the great community spirit leading up to and at the festival and the contributions we receive every year. 

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What time does the festival start / end? 

The festival officially starts at 11:00 ET and ends at approximately 9:00 pm ET.  Wellness classes such as yoga in the park are offered in the morning before the festival.  See the schedule tab for details.

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Who are this year's main performers and market stage artists? 

Please see the Lineup tab to see all of this year's performers including bio information, links to their socials, and live performance video. It's all right here for exploring!

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What activities are offered for children? 

We have many! Please stay tuned for the schedule and kids' activities.

What activities are offered for adults? 

We have many for adults, too. Please stay tuned for the schedule.

Where is the festival located? 

In Ferdinand’s beautiful 18th Street Park, on the north edge of town--on land generously donated by Robert and Evelyn Leinenbach. The main stage is located at the base of a long, gradual sloping hill with areas of shade trees. The rest of the activities, events, and vendors are located throughout the park which offers plentiful areas of full shade to full sun.

What time can I get there? 

The festival officially starts at 11:00 am Eastern, but wellness classes often start at 10:00 on the hill above the main stage. Check schedule for details.

What about lodging?

Are there nearby hotels and campgrounds for overnight guests? Several hotels are located nearby at the interstate exits at the Ferdinand and Dale exits. Huntingburg, Jasper, and Santa Claus are also nearby and also have many options. Lincoln State Park has cabins, as does Taswell (White Oaks). Camping is available at the Ferdinand State Forest, Lincoln State Park, Lake Rudolph in Santa Claus, the Dubois County 4H Park just north of Bretzville, and in the Hoosier National Forest two exits east of Ferdinand (exit 79).

What's the parking situation?

If you live in town or the neighborhood, we encourage walking or riding bicycles for all who are able. Carpooling is great, too, and also environmentally friendly. In addition to the limited parking within the park, several large parking lots are located south of the park at the Ferdinand Community Center, the YMCA, and Forest Park Jr-Sr High School (west and east of school).  An excellent and scenic trail system will lead you to the park from Forest Park. Street parking in the neighborhood is also fine if you can find a spot.
 

Is there handicapped parking?

If you or loved ones have special needs, several handicapped parking spots are located along the edge of the parking lot by the softball field.

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Where do I find Folk Fest merchandise? 

The merch tent is located along the south side of the main stage lawn.
 

May I bring lawn chairs, blankets, tents? 

Yes, blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. Please keep all tents, however, along only the north edge of the main stage lawn near the trees, and please do not block the view of the main stage for anyone behind you. Be kind. :)
 

May I bring my pets? 

Yes! We love pets. Please keep your beloved furry friends on leashes to protect them and others.

What about my children?

The festival is very child-friendly with many fun and educational activities scheduled for children throughout the day. See kids' tab and schedule.

Since I'm bringing my children, may I bring my alcohol?  

Yes, but please drink responsibly--and NO GLASS BOTTLES, please, to protect the children and others from broken glass. Please drink responsibly and be a good role model for the children--and please help keep the park clean.

May I take alcohol outside of the main stage lawn area?  

No. Please keep all alcohol in the main lawn area--not in the art market, food, or children's lower shelter house area.

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May I smoke in the park?  

Please do not smoke on the main lawn, in the market area, or the children's activities areas. Please smoke in areas away from others.

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What if I see underage drinking or intoxicated patrons?  

Please let any committee member or law enforcement officer know. Anyone drinking under 18 or anyone publicly intoxicated runs counter to the family-friendly spirit of the Ferdinand Folk Festival. Creating a safe space for all ages in the park and ensuring safe travels home for everyone are of utmost importance to the festival committee and the Town of Ferdinand, and our sponsors. The open, community nature of the festival and the emphasis on creating a healthy environment contribute to the event's uniqueness in the region.    

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What if I hear profanity and inappropriate language in the park? 

Especially since we are a family-friendly event, please report any inappropriate language or behavior to any committee member. We will be easy to spot as we will be wearing bright, fluorescent yellow shirts.

What kind of seating can one expect at the park?

The NextEra Main Stage faces a beautiful, sweeping lawn. We encourage everyone to blankets and/or lawn chairs. Tents may be placed along only the north edge of the main stage lawn. Even there, please be sure that everyone behind you can see the main stage.

May I bring my own food? 

Yes, picnic baskets and coolers are fine. We also have about 15 food and dessert vendors serving excellent and diverse fare. We encourage everyone to support them.

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What about trash pickup in the park?  

We strive for zero waste in the park, and we encourage everyone to be good stewards of the park and our region. Please pick up all trash and recycle all aluminum and plastic in the numerous containers found throughout the park, and please place all other trash in the marked containers. We encourage all patrons to use reusable water bottles. We also encourage vendors to avoid using styrofoam (since it does not break down in landfills) and any plastics that are not recyclable or compostable.

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What if I lose a personal item?  

Please check with committee members at the merch tent or see any committee member wearing a neon green shirt. You may also contact us via info@ferdinandfolkfestival.com or via the "Contact Us" tab here on our homepage.

I'd like to suggest a band to play at a benefit concert or at the Folk Fest, an art vendor, an event for children, a workshop topic and/or leader, a cool feature, an environmentally friendly idea, etc.  Whom do I contact?  

Write to "Contact Us" on the tab our homepage and if possible, please provide links, YouTube videos, etc. You may also reach out to a committee member.

I am interested in being an art or food vendor, or an environmental/wellness leader, at the Ferdinand Folk Fest. Where do I find the relevant information and application? 

Click on our Vendor tab, and the info will be found there and/or there will be a side tab on our homepage. You can find that here.

I would like to leave a testimonial about the festival.  What is the best way to do that?  

You may rate or comment about the festival on our Facebook page, or you could send a note to "Contact Us". You may also reach out to a committee member. We appreciate your feedback.

How can I become a volunteer or become involved in the planning of the festival? 

We'd love your help, especially if you have some specific gift(s) to offer such as filming, photography, writing, researching, public relations, graphic design, organizing, fundraising, event planning, etc.  It's fun, and you meet some great people. Contact any member of the organizing group. Members are Town Manager and Festival Chair Chris James, volunteers Brent Sicard, Greg Sicard, Meolody Vaal, and Randy Vaal.