![Festival goers enjoy the music as Dry Branch Fire Squad...]()
Festival goers enjoy the music as Dry Branch Fire Squad perform in the Banjo Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Festival goers enjoy the music as David Bromberg Quintet perform...]()
Festival goers enjoy the music as David Bromberg Quintet perform in the Banjo Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Festival goers enjoy the music as David Bromberg Quintet perform...]()
Festival goers enjoy the music as David Bromberg Quintet perform in the Banjo Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![The Jerry Douglas Band performs during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass...]()
Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group archives
The Jerry Douglas Band performs during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (Ray Chavez/Staff)
![David Luning , right, performs in the Roster Stage during...]()
David Luning , right, performs in the Roster Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![The Mastersons perform in the Bandwagon Stage during the Hardly...]()
The Mastersons perform in the Bandwagon Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Matador! Soul Sound performs in the Swan Stage during the...]()
Matador! Soul Sound performs in the Swan Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Dry Branch Fire Squad perform in the Banjo Stage during...]()
Dry Branch Fire Squad perform in the Banjo Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Langhorne Slim and the Lost at Last band perform in...]()
Langhorne Slim and the Lost at Last band perform in the Roster Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Langhorne Slim and the Lost at Last band perform in...]()
Langhorne Slim and the Lost at Last band perform in the Roster Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![The Mastersons perform in the Bandwagon Stage during the Hardly...]()
The Mastersons perform in the Bandwagon Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Matador! Soul Sound performs in the Swan Stage during the...]()
Matador! Soul Sound performs in the Swan Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Dry Branch Fire Squad perform in the Banjo Stage during...]()
Dry Branch Fire Squad perform in the Banjo Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![David Luning , right, performs in the Roster Stage during...]()
David Luning , right, performs in the Roster Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one...]()
Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one...]()
Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one...]()
Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one...]()
Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![T Bone Burnett performs in the Banjo Stage during day...]()
T Bone Burnett performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one...]()
Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![T Bone Burnett performs in the Banjo Stage during day...]()
T Bone Burnett performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![T Bone Burnett performs in the Banjo Stage during day...]()
T Bone Burnett performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![T Bone Burnett performs in the Banjo Stage during day...]()
T Bone Burnett performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one...]()
Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one...]()
Brandi Carlile performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage...]()
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![A band member from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs...]()
A band member from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Don Bryant performs in the Banjo Stage during day one...]()
Don Bryant performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Don Bryant performs in the Banjo Stage during day one...]()
Don Bryant performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 perform in the Swan Stage...]()
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 perform in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![A band member from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs...]()
A band member from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage...]()
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![From Steve Martin to Natalie Maines, and Gogol Bordello to...]()
From Steve Martin to Natalie Maines, and Gogol Bordello to Bettye LaVette, there are plenty of acts that you need to catch at the 13th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group Archives)
![Michael Franti & Spearhead perform on the Banjo Stage during...]()
Michael Franti & Spearhead perform on the Banjo Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![A fan moves to the rhythm of The Jerry Douglas...]()
A fan moves to the rhythm of The Jerry Douglas Band during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (Ray Chavez/Staff)
![Fans show their affection as they move to the rhythm...]()
Fans show their affection as they move to the rhythm of The Jerry Douglas Band during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Bay Area News Group, Ray Chavez) MANDATORY CREDIT
![The Jerry Douglas Band performs during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass...]()
The Jerry Douglas Band performs during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (Ray Chavez/Staff)
![San Francisco police officers patrol the park during the Hardly...]()
San Francisco police officers patrol the park during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Janette Wolfe, of Brentwood, shows off her butterfly attire during...]()
Janette Wolfe, of Brentwood, shows off her butterfly attire during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![A San Francisco Park Ranger patrols the park during day...]()
A San Francisco Park Ranger patrols the park during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) e
![Maureen Flanagan, of Forestville, makes yoga, as her dog Cooper,...]()
Maureen Flanagan, of Forestville, makes yoga, as her dog Cooper, looks on, while Billy Bragg performs at Banjo Stage during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![A San Francisco police officer patrols the park during day...]()
A San Francisco police officer patrols the park during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) e
![Billy Bragg performs in the Banjo Stage during day one...]()
Billy Bragg performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Peter Rowan performs at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco...]()
Peter Rowan performs at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2015. He'll be in Mountain View on Jan. 21, 2017. (Ray Chavez / Bay Area News Group)
![Michael Franti & Spearhead perform on the Banjo Stage during...]()
Michael Franti & Spearhead perform on the Banjo Stage during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Andy Kennedy, center, of Portland, brought a hookah to share...]()
Andy Kennedy, center, of Portland, brought a hookah to share with friends during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (Ray Chavez/Staff)
![Billy Bragg performs in the Banjo Stage during day one...]()
Billy Bragg performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![San Francisco police officers stand guard during day one of...]()
San Francisco police officers stand guard during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![A fan in colorful attire walks past festival goers during...]()
A fan in colorful attire walks past festival goers during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker performs during day one of the...]()
Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker performs during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Big Thief perform during day one of the Hardly Strictly...]()
Big Thief perform during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Dry Branch Fire Squad vocalist Ron Thomason performs in the...]()
Dry Branch Fire Squad vocalist Ron Thomason performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Dry Branch Fire Squad vocalist Ron Thomason performs in the...]()
Dry Branch Fire Squad vocalist Ron Thomason performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Melisa Dudelson, left, of Los Angeles, and her 9-month-old daughter...]()
Melisa Dudelson, left, of Los Angeles, and her 9-month-old daughter Elsie Dudelson, enjoy live music during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Dry Branch Fire Squad perform in the Banjo Stage during...]()
Dry Branch Fire Squad perform in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Don Bryant performs in the Banjo Stage during day one...]()
Don Bryant performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Don Bryant performs in the Banjo Stage during day one...]()
Don Bryant performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Dry Branch Fire Squad vocalist Ron Thomason performs in the...]()
Dry Branch Fire Squad vocalist Ron Thomason performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![A band member from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs...]()
A band member from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage...]()
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performs in the Swan Stage during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker performs during day one of the...]()
Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker performs during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![A fan in colorful attire walks past festival goers during...]()
A fan in colorful attire walks past festival goers during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![San Francisco police officers patrol the park during day one...]()
San Francisco police officers patrol the park during day one of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Billy Bragg performs in the Banjo Stage during day one...]()
Billy Bragg performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Billy Bragg performs in the Banjo Stage during day one...]()
Billy Bragg performs in the Banjo Stage during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
![Billy Bragg performs in Banjo Stage during day one of...]()
Billy Bragg performs in Banjo Stage during day one of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
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There are a lot of changes for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2019, most of which have been implemented to help provide a safe environment for music lovers. Here’s what you need to know if you’re going to the free three-day festival, which runs Oct. 4-6 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. (And don’t forget to check out our picks for what acts to see at the festival.)
Getting into the festival:
There are four places to enter into the festival. They are:
1) JFK Drive and Transverse Drive
2) Fulton Street and 30th Avenue
3) JFK Drive and 36th Avenue
4) South Polo Field
When to go
Gates open at 9 a.m. each day.
No coolers
This is a big one for fans who have long brought super deluxe meals, snacks and drinks into the festival. But festival organizers are now saying: “Do not bring coolers, they are no longer allowed. We have updated our concessions in anticipation of increased public need.” But they also add: “Prescribed medication, or infant care can be brought in a small soft side cooler.”
Clear backpacks
Bags/backpacks, made from clear plastic and measuring less than 16”x16”x8,” will be allowed.
What else to bring/not bring
Visit here for more details.
More security
“There will be increased SFPD and Tactical Unit presence inside and outside the venue,” according to festival website.
Transportation options and other details
Visit hardlystrictlybluegrass.com.
