How much does the Festival cost?
A festival wristband costs 25 dollars (children 12 and under are free) and will get you into all festival performance venues and activities.
Tickets for single venues, including dances, can be purchased at the door (cover) and will cost between 10-15 dollars, depending on the venue:
- The Independent Media Center, Iron Post, Rose Bowl: 15 dollars
- All other venues: 10 dollars
All workshops, storytelling, sing-alongs and jams, Friday night campfire events, and Saturday morning and afternoon events are free of cost.
Thursday’s evening performance at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Krannert Uncorked) is also free of charge.
Where can I buy a wristband?
The easiest place to buy a wristband is at our website, at our booth at the Farmer’s Market during October, or at Heartland Gallery, 112 W. Main St. in Urbana. Wristbands will also be available at the festival’s Welcome Center and select venues. The Welcome Center will be located at the Independent Media Center on Friday evening starting at 5:30pm.
Where is the festival held?
The festival takes place in various places within a several block radius in downtown Urbana. See our schedule and our venue page for exact locations. Please note that some locations, like the Iron Post, fill up quickly. Arrive early if you want to be sure to get in!
Is the festival open to all ages?
Most of our venues are all-ages with the exception of the Rose Bowl and the late night shows at the Iron Post. The Rose Bowl is an over-21 only venue.
Where can we jam?
There will be organized jams at the Iron Post on Saturday afternoon from 1:30pm-6:00pm. Consult the schedule for the exact time folks will be playing your favorite style. There will also be open jamming at the Rose Bowl on Saturday from 1:00pm-2:30pm and an Irish session there from 2:30pm-4:00pm. If that isn’t enough, jams will be held at the Rose Bowl Friday night from 12:45am-2:00am and Saturday at the Iron Post from 12:00am-2:00am! Spectators (and dancers!) are welcome at all jams. Just remember that the Rose Bowl is an over-21 only venue.
What about food and drink and places to stay?
We encourage festival goers to patronize the many fine food and drink establishments in and around downtown Urbana. Many are just a few steps away! Check the Urbana Business Association website for information about local hotels.
Parking
Parking is available in the City of Urbana parking deck on the corner of Main and Broadway. Plentiful street parking is available as well in and around downtown. Bike racks can be found near the Urbana Free Library, and on the north side of the parking deck.
Where/when do performers check in?
All performers and workshop leaders should check in at the Welcome Center at least one hour before their scheduled event or sound-check to receive their information packet and check on any last minute changes.
Festival and artist merchandise
Festival “swag” and participating artist merchandise (CDs, etc.) will be available at the merchandise table near the welcome center all weekend.
How many hours do I need to volunteer to receive a festival t-shirt and wristband?
We ask that volunteers be willing to work a 3-4 hour shift. Shorter shifts make logistics pretty crazy!
Lost and found/First aid
Lost and found and a first aid kit will be located at the Welcome Center in The IMC.
Who puts this festival on?
The CU Folk and Roots Festival is an event organized and run entirely by local volunteers. A volunteer steering committee meets bi-weekly throughout the year to plan the festival, with the assistance of many other individuals and organizations. In June of 2010, the CU Folk and Roots Festival became a Not-for-Profit organization (501C). All donations are tax-deductible.