Who’s headed to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this weekend? It’s a three-day live music festival in Golden Gate Park, and of the best concerts of the year. Free no less! Founded in 2001 by F. Warren Hellman (July 25, 1934 – Dec. 18, 2011), a private equity pioneer and a great-grandson of Isaias Hellman, who was president of Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank from 1898 – 1905. Hellman Jr. made a bunch of cash too, and yeah for all of us, left a lot of it to the City of San Francisco to host this wonderful event every fall.
Hellman said he gave the musical gathering as a “selfish gift” to everyone.
From the website: “What does move me is the philanthropic stuff,” Hellman told Forbes magazine in 2006. “Giving really does move me. Part of it is selfish. It’s fun to be appreciated. But the other part is that good things really are growing.”
“How could you have more fun than that? What the hell is money for if it isn’t for something like this?”
Every year my gaggle of groovy friends clear their schedules and set up shop front stage for the Friday show. (11 AM – 7 PM) But which stage? There are five to choose from! And is the music style hardly or strictly? The day goes by all too fast, dancing, laughing and milling around gorgeous Golden Gate checking out the creative San Francisco styles and all the action.
What To Do When Munchies Strike?
Got you covered. There will be 5 food vending areas serving up cuisine from all over the world, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Or bring your own picnic.* Alcohol will not be sold. Ice (and other supplies) available for purchase at the new-this-year General Store located next to the Merch tent in Arrow Meadow.
Click here for a list of food vendors
Click here for a PDF map of food vendor locations
CASHLESS for Cleanliness - Food vendors and the General Store will NOT accept money this year. Come prepared with a credit card or exchange cash for a gift card at the General Store.
There are water refilling stations.
Dispose of your trash and recycle.
Entrances open Friday: 11 AM
Entrances open Saturday / Sunday: 9 AM
Performances end: 7 PM daily
* Easy picnic from the grocery store:
Candied Salmon Bites or Hodo Soy Curry or Five Spice Nuggets
Cucumbers, snow peas and apple
Chunk of cheese
Jar of olives
Bag of nuts
Crackers and/or bread
Box of premade veggie sushi
Bring from home: small knife and cutting board, napkins
Graphics courtesy of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Photos by LSIC
