National Folk Festival: Where should I park?

Finding a place to park for the National Folk Festival could be challenging with as many as 80,000 people expected over the Sept. 7-9 weekend.

But festival organizers have listed multiple sites that offer free parking spaces, as well as alternative ways to get downtown.

Some nearby businesses and churches also are offering parking in their lots.

As many as 5,000 parking spaces have been identified in the vicinity, which should be able to handle the crowd that is expected to fluctuate between 5,000 and 15,000 people at any given time, said Mayor Jake Day.

“I think there’s more than enough parking,” he said.

Here are locations offering free festival parking all weekend:

Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Festival-goers are advised to use satellite parking at the civic center at 500 Glen Ave. and ride the free shuttles, which will run every 10 minutes. Free parking also will be available at old Salisbury Mall site across the street.

Downtown parking lots

Several city parking lots are available downtown and will offer free parking all weekend:

• Lot 35, Fitzwater and West Main streets at the Port of Salisbury Marina
• Lot 7, Lemmon Hill Lane in the Newtown neighborhood
• Lot 13, West Chestnut Street, also in Newtown
• Lot 9, Church Street, behind the Government Office Building
• Lot 10, East Church Street and Poplar Hill Avenue near the W. Paul Martin District Court & Multiservice Center
• Lot 5, East Main Street next to Avery Hall Insurance
• Downtown Parking Garage, East Market Street

Designated handicapped parking spaces are available in all city lots and the garage. There will not be onsite transportation available between the various stages. 

Private parking lots

Avery Hall Insurance will allow people to park for free in its large lot on East Market Street at Route 13 and the Wicomico River, according to a company spokeswoman.

Boy Scout Troop 185 that meets at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church will offer all-day parking for $10 at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic School parking lot on Camden Avenue all weekend, and at the church lot on Riverside Drive depending on services. Troop leader Brian Nelson said the parking fee is a fundraiser for the scouts.

Trinity United Methodist Church in Newtown will open its parking lot on High Street to festival attendees. Church officials debated whether to charge, but decided against it because they want to be good neighbors, said the Rev. Fred Duncan, the church pastor.

“It’s like God’s love, it’s free,” he said.

Via Water

Boaters can dock at the Port of Salisbury Marina which is located at the headwaters of the Wicomico River and in the heart of the city of Salisbury. It is within walking distance of the downtown area. Also available at the marina is a public kayak launch at the end of Municipal Lot by Brew River.

Via Bike

There are several routes that connect the greater Salisbury area to downtown. Take a ride on the Orange or Yellow route that connects Salisbury University or ride the trails from the Salisbury City Park & Zoo.

For more information, visit www.nationalfolkfestival.com.

Twitter: @LizHolland5

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