FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GETTING TO THE KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL:
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How do I get to the Festival from Austin/San Antonio/Houston/Dallas/FtWorth?
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I would like to carpool, how do I find rideshares with folks going to Quiet Valley Ranch?
WHEN I ARRIVE TO THE FESTIVAL:
WHERE TO STAY:
I am not camping
I am tent camping and
I am planning to stay in a RV
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and don’t have an RV reservation, but I want electricity and water…
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can I keep my dog/cat/whatever pet in my RV? Is that allowed?
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AFTER-HOURS ARRIVAL:
VOLUNTEERS:
I am
PERFORMERS / VIPS / VENDORS:
I am
OTHER STUFF:
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GETTING TO THE KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL:
How do I get to the Festival from Austin/San Antonio/Houston/Dallas/FtWorth?
I would like to carpool, how do I find rideshares with folks going to Quiet Valley Ranch?
The best way is to reach out to the KFF community about rides is through Facebook, specifically the FB group "Kerrverts Ride Share". Other KFF Facebook groups include: Kerrverts Far & Wide, Central Texas Kerrverts, and there's many more.
WHAT TO DO WHEN I GET TO THE FESTIVAL:
What forms of payment do you take?
Cash and Credit Cards (Mastercard, VISA, American Express, Discover).
Do you have an ATM machine?
No, there is no ATM on-site at the festival; the closest ATM is located at the Mini-Mart (Valero station) less than 2 miles North on Hwy 16.
Where do I get my wristband?
There are two places to pick up will call tickets or obtain patron wristbands:
(1) The Main Tickets Booth is located near the ranch entrance (this is primarily for campers – Not Big RV’s). The Main Tickets booth is open 9am - 10pm.
(2) Tickets Too is near the Kennedy Outdoor Theater entrance from the parking area (this is primarily for evening concert goers rather than campers). Tickets Too is open from 4pm-9pm on Kennedy Theater show nights (weekend & holiday nights).
The VIP & Press check in is located near the main entrance area across from the Festival Office.
WHERE TO STAY:
I am not camping…
I just want to see the evening show…
You will still need a festival wristband for the evening. It is valid until noon the next day, in case you change your mind. If you will be arriving just before a Kennedy Theater (mainstage) show, and will not be camping, you can easily turn into the “overflow” parking lot directly across the street from the main parking lot, walk across the street toward the Kennedy Theater entrance and obtain your wristband at Tickets Too, just next to the entrance. (There is often more space to park in the “overflow” lot, so its easier to exit after the show, and walking to the Theater entrance is often the same distance from most spots in the main parking lot.) If you would like to park in the main parking lot, you may drive into the second Festival entrance (big white stone gates with KFF sign), take an immediate left, proceed down to the general parking are of the main parking lot and obtain wristbands at Tickets Too next to the Kennedy Theater entrance.
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Where can I stay nearby?
There are a variety of hotels, motels, vacation rentals and RV parks nearby Quiet Valley Ranch. An online search for "Kerrville vacation rentals" will offer many options, and the Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau offers a comprehensive list available here.
Can I go visit a friend in the campgrounds without buying a ticket or wristband?
No. You must be wearing a valid KFF wristband to enter the Festival or campground.
I am tent camping and…
I want to unload stuff in the campgrounds…
If you don't yet have a wristband, and as long as you are not in a large RV, you should use the first entrance on Tickets road and obtain your wristband from the Volunteers at the main Tickets booth. After obtaining wristbands, turn right towards Mix-Master (campground entrance station) to obtain a temporary unloading permit ($25 deposit, cash only please). A temporary unloading permit allows a vehicle to be in the campground for 2 hours. In order to get your $25 back, make sure to bring your car back out through the Mix-Master within 2 hours and park in one of the parking lots.
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I want to park my car next to my camp…
So there is adequate camping space for everyone and to minimize dust from traffic, we try to discourage vehicles in the campground. If you really really want to park your car in the campground, you may purchase a Campground Parking Permit for $25/day. Campground Parking Permits are available at the Main Tickets booth and must be affixed to the windshield of the vehicle in the campground.
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I want to sleep in my car…
Sleeping in vehicles in the parking lot is not allowed, so if you want to sleep in your car, it must be parked in the campgrounds and you will have to purchase a Campground Parking Permit (see just above) or a Sleeper Vehicle Permit. Sleeper Vehicle Permits are one-time, flat-rate $25 permits that allow sleeper rigs such as RVs, trailers, vans, trucks, or or large vehicles to drive into the campground (ONCE) and be parked for sleeping purposes. It is valid as long as the rig remains in campground, but does not allow the vehicle to be used for transportation purposes around the campground. Sleeper Vehicle Permits become VOID once the vehicle exits the campground; an additional Sleeper Vehicle Permit must be purchased to re-enter the campground. Sleeper Vehicle Permits are sold at Mix-Master (the campground entrance station).
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I want electricity and/or water…
Unless you have a reserved RV site, electricity and water are scattered throughout the campground and available on a first-come first-served basis. The purchase of an Electric Permit is required for electricity outlet access and is available at the Electric Permit kiosk near the main crossroads in the middle of the campground. There are a limited number of electrical plug-ins that will accommodate A/C’s; ask the Electric Permit Crew upon arrival for questions about A/C capability. Electricity permits run $6-$18 per day (depending on A/C). Discounts are available for Volunteers. Additionally, there are several free-standing water spigots available throughout the campground, often near electrical risers. Water is free, but if you wish to leave a hose connected to a spigot, please provide a hose splitter with an available spigot so that others may access the water.
I want to have a campfire…
Open fires should be within fire rings, bbq grills or outdoor type fireplaces. LARGE BONFIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED! Fires are not allowed during periods of excessive drought or when Kerr County has issued a county wide burn ban. During a burn ban, only charcoal fires in bbq grills are allowed.
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Gathering firewood on the property is not permitted. A limited amount of firewood is available near the campground showers. If you think you need a lot of wood, please bring your own. Do not burn fires under trees, branches or next to wooden structures. Fires MUST be attended at all times and must be completely extinguished before retiring for the night or leaving the campsite. Please share fires when possible, it's more fun that way anyway.
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As an extra safety precaution, the Foundation supplies (red) water buckets and burlap just outside the main campground showers for use next to campfires. When a burn ban is not in effect, please collect a red bucket, fill it with water and soak the burlap in an area near your campfire. Should a spark land outside the fire ring use said burlap to snuff it out.
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If you need to find out about a burn ban before arriving at the ranch, please follow this link http://www.co.kerr.tx.us/burnban/index.html (Quiet Valley Ranch is in precinct 1) or call the office at 830-257-3600.
I am planning to stay in a RV and….
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I DO have an RV site reservation…
Please skip the first Festival entrance (tickets road) and use the SECOND Festival entrance (main big white stone gates with KFF sign) and pull forward to the Mix-Master (the campground entrance station). Mix-Master volunteers in red shirts will have an RV packet with your name on it and will allow you to park your RV in its site with the understanding that you will immediately walk back to the Tickets booth to obtain your Festival wristband. (This effort is to avoid long delays that may block the entrance.)
I don’t have an RV reservation and want electricity and water…
Although you are allowed to park a vehicle or RV in the campground (with a Sleeper Vehicle Permit), camping and driving space can get tight and you may regret driving a large RV into the campground without scoping the scene first. If you are hoping to park a "sizeable" RV in the campground after the Festival has begun, you can do yourself a favor by FIRST pulling into “Overflow Parking” using the THIRD Festival entrance on the SOUTH side of the road (just across the street from main parking lot). From there, you can walk to Tickets to obtain your Festival wristband, and then check out the campgrounds to see if you can find a space in the main campground to park your RV.
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In order to bring any wheeled rig (RV, trailer, tow-behind, 5th wheel, pop-up, van, truck, etc.) into the campground, a Sleeper Vehicle Permit is required. Sleeper Vehicle Permits are one-time, flat-rate $25 permits that allow sleeper rigs such as RVs, trailers, vans, trucks, or or large vehicles to drive into the campground (ONCE) and be parked for sleeping purposes. It is valid as long as the rig remains in campground, but does not allow the vehicle to be used for transportation purposes around the campground. Sleeper Vehicle Permits become VOID once the vehicle or trailer exits the campground; an additional Sleeper Vehicle Permit must be purchased to re-enter the campground. Sleeper Vehicle Permits are sold at Mix-Master (the campground entrance station).
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Electricity and water connections are scattered throughout the campground and available on a first-come first-served basis. The purchase of an Electric Permit is required for electricity outlet access and is available at the Electric Permit kiosk near the main crossroads in the middle of the campground. There are a limited number of electrical plug-ins that will accommodate A/C’s; ask the Electric Permit Crew upon arrival for questions about A/C capability. Electricity permits run $6-$18 per day (depending on A/C). Discounts are available for Volunteers. Additionally, there are several free-standing water spigots available throughout the campground, often near electrical risers. Water is free, but if you wish to leave a hose connected to a spigot, please provide a hose splitter with an available spigot so that others may access the water.
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I can’t find a place to park my RV in the campground…
If you do not find enough space to park your RV in the campgrounds, you are welcome to park in the "overflow" parking lot. All sleeper vehicles, trailers, RVs, pop-ups, etc parked in the overflow lot must display a SLEEPER VEHICLE PERMIT, available from the Mix-Master. Unlike the main campground, generators are allowed in overflow parking. Parties are NOT. For respect of the neighbors, the overflow parking lot is considered a quiet area. Please keep the party in the campground.
I want to have a campfire…
Open fires should be within fire rings, bbq grills or outdoor type fireplaces. LARGE BONFIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED! Fires are not allowed during periods of excessive drought or when Kerr County has issued a county wide burn ban. During a burn ban, only charcoal fires in bbq grills are allowed.
​
Gathering firewood on the property is not permitted. A limited amount of firewood is available near the campground showers. If you think you need a lot of wood, please bring your own. Do not burn fires under trees, branches or next to wooden structures. Fires MUST be attended at all times and must be completely extinguished before retiring for the night or leaving the campsite. Please share fires when possible, it's more fun that way anyway.
​
As an extra safety precaution, the Foundation supplies (red) water buckets and burlap just outside the main campground showers for use next to campfires. When a burn ban is not in effect, please collect a red bucket, fill it with water and soak the burlap in an area near your campfire. Should a spark land outside the fire ring use said burlap to snuff it out.
​
If you need to find out about a burn ban before arriving at the ranch, please follow this link http://www.co.kerr.tx.us/burnban/index.html (Quiet Valley Ranch is in precinct 1) or call the office at 830-257-3600.
Can I keep my dog/cat/whatever pet in my RV. Is that allowed?
No; no pets allowed on the Ranch during the Festival. Pets are allowed on a leash during the rest of the year, but not during Festivals. Just imagine the mess!? (PET BOARDING OPTIONS in Kerrville, TX)
AFTER-HOURS ARRIVAL:
I am going to be arriving late, between 10pm and 9am…
During the Festival, campground gates are open 24hrs to those wearing valid wristbands. Ticket booth hours are 9am to 10pm daily. If you arrive when the ticket booth is closed, the Mix Master (campground entrance station) folks can arrange for the Late Arrival Crew to meet you at the gate. This process can be slow, please arrive with patience or arrive while the ticket booth is open.
VOLUNTEERS:
I am a Volunteer who HAS RSVP’d… what do I do when I get there?
You must have a valid wristband to enter the Festival and campground. To check in for a Volunteer wristband, please FIRST park in the parking lot and walk to Staff Central (south end of the giant smiling barn). After obtaining a wristband, if you wish to unload in the campground, drive out of the parking lot and back in through the main Festival entrance (big white stone gates with KFF sign) and pull ahead to the campground entrance station known as MixMaster. There, you can put down a $25 cash deposit for an unloading permit, that will allow your vehicle to be parking in the campground for 2 hours. In order to retrieve your $25 deposit, within 2 hours you must bring your vehicle out of the campground (visit Mix-Master!) and park in one of the parking lots.
I want to Volunteer, but am not signed up…
First go to the KFF Volunteer page to see if the window to RSVP (if returning) or sign up to be a new volunteer is open. If the volunteer application window is not open and you would like more information, you may consider emailing the Volunteer Coordinators. If the Festival is in progress, you may email the Volunteer Coordinators or arrive onsite and ask Staff Central if they are accepting New Volunteers. If you choose to arrive onsite without confirming there are open volunteer positions, please be prepared to purchase a ticket in the event that all volunteer positions are full.
I am a guest of a Volunteer…
Please make sure your Volunteer host has listed you as their guest with Staff Central OTHERWISE you MUST have your Volunteer host with you upon check-in at Staff Central. When you arrive, please FIRST park in the parking lot and walk to Staff Central (south end of the giant smiling barn). After obtaining a wristband, if you wish to unload in the campground, drive out of the parking lot and back in through the main Festival entrance (big white stone gates with KFF sign) and pull ahead to the campground entrance station known as MixMaster. There, you can put down a $25 cash deposit for an unloading permit, that will allow your vehicle to be parking in the campground for 2 hours. In order to retrieve your $25 deposit, within 2 hours you must bring your vehicle out of the campground (visit Mix-Master!) and park in one of the parking lots.
PERFORMERS / VIPS / VENDORS:
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I am a New Folk Finalist… !?!?!
Congratulations : ) Upon arrival, you will first want to check in for credentials at the Performer/VIP kiosk (near the Festival Office). Please use the second Festival entrance (big white stone gates with the KFF sign) and immediately turn left (before the campground gate). Proceed down the drive (between the Festival Office and the Performer/VIP kiosk) to temporary VIP parking just behind the Festival Office. (If things seem jammed in the VIP temporary parking area, there is additional temporary parking near the entrance to the parking lot, a very short distance past the check-in kiosk). After obtaining a wristband, if you wish to unload in the campground, drive out of the parking lot and back in through the main Festival entrance (big white stone gates with KFF sign) and pull ahead to the campground entrance station known as MixMaster. There, you can put down a $25 cash deposit for an unloading permit, that will allow your vehicle to be parked in the campground for 2 hours. In order to retrieve your $25 deposit, within 2 hours you must bring your vehicle out of the campground (visit Mix-Master for your refund!) and park in one of the parking lots. If you plan to camp with the other New Folk Finalists at the Rouse Camp, its just south of #29 on the KFF map OR just ask any of the nice folks in the campgrounds where the Rouse House New Folk Camp is, you'll find it : )
I am a Performer arriving (late) for sound check…
Upon arrival, you will first want to check in for credentials at the Performer/VIP kiosk (near the Festival Office). Please use the second Festival entrance (big white stone gates with the KFF sign) and immediately turn left (before the campground gate). Proceed down the drive (between the Festival Office and the Performer/VIP kiosk) to temporary VIP parking. (If things seem jammed in the VIP area, there is additional temporary parking at the entrance to the parking lot, a very short distance past the Performer check-in kiosk). After receiving vehicle credentials, you will be able to go park as your credentials allow. If you are going to be late for sound check, please call the Festival Office (830)257-3600 so we can make arrangements for a smooth solution.
I am a Performer arriving in a large tour bus/RV…
For everyone's convenience, please call the Festival Office (830)257-3600 to make tour bus arrangements. Typically large busses should enter through South Gate (last gate) in the main parking area.
I am a Craft Vendor…
Don’t forget to keep the contents of your Craft Confirmation Package handy when you get here! If you are looking to unload at your booth, you can use the second Festival entrance (the big white stone gates with the KFF sign) and drive straight up to the Mix-Master (campground entrance station). Present your Craft Confirmation letter and CRAFT Parking Permit to the folks at the Mix-Master entrance station and as long as it is before 3pm, you'll be allowed to drive into the Kennedy Outdoor Theater area (via the back of the pavilion) to unload near your booth. To unload at or near your booth, turn left immediately behind Mix-Master and follow the road up to the large green metal building (the Pavilion). Follow the alley on the right side of (behind) the pavilion and under the trees on the other side; you will then be in the Theater area. The map in your Craft Confirmation Package depicts where your booth is located within the theater, and the Craft Coordinator will meet you at your booth for wristband check-in. Your vehicle must be out of Kennedy Outdoor Theater by 3pm via the same back alley behind the pavilion. Craft Vendor Parking Permits are only for temporary loading/unloading in the Theater area and NOT valid to park in the campground.
I am working for a Food Vendor…
Food vendor check-in is at the Performer/VIP kiosk near the Festival Office. Please use the second Festival entrance (big white stone gates with the KFF sign) and immediately turn left (before the campground gate). Proceed down the drive (between the Festival Office and the Performer/VIP kiosk) to temporary parking. There is temporary parking at the entrance to the parking lot, a very short distance past the check-in kiosk). After obtaining a wristband, if you wish to unload in the campground, drive out of the parking lot and back in through the main Festival entrance (big white stone gates with KFF sign) and pull ahead to the MixMaster (campground entrance station). There, you can put down a $25 cash deposit for an unloading permit, which will allow your vehicle to be parking in the campground for up to 2 hours. In order to retrieve your $25 deposit, within 2 hours you must bring your vehicle out of the campground (visit Mix-Master!) and park in one of the parking lots.
OTHER STUFF:
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Is there WIFI internet access at Quiet Valley Ranch?
Although we have not had public Wi-Fi for several years, as of summer of 2021, we are working on offering public Wi-Fi in many areas around the festival grounds. As soon as it becomes established, those areas will be mapped and published. Most cell phones have service around the Ranch.
I am mobility-impaired, with handicapped tags, where can I park?
In order to offer adequate camping space for everyone and to minimize dust from traffic, we try to discourage vehicles in the campground. If you want to park your car in the campground, you may purchase a Campground Parking Permit for $25/day. Campground Parking Permits are available at the Main Tickets booth and must be affixed to the windshield of the vehicle in the campground.
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There are several dedicated handicapped parking spaces in the center of the main parking lot, adjacent to the Kerrtesy Kart transportation "bus stop". Handicapped tags or plates are required to park in this area. Kerrtesy Karts transport folks to/from the parking lot throughout the campground all day and many hours into the night.
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It’s raining; can I have a refund?
There are no refunds or exchanges for any reason. Bring rain gear and you’ll appreciate galoshes!
May I bring a cooler into the theater?
NO ice chests, bottles or cans are allowed in Kennedy Outdoor Theater. Reusable cups are allowed.
How do I get on the mailing list?
For updates on the Festival schedule, ticket specials, RV & Vendor info, and other special events, please join our email newsletter by filling out the E-News form.
I want to hold a special event at the ranch….
Please contact the office with your event information (date, time, type of event, etc) to check on availability.
Call: 830-257-3600 or email us at info@kerrvillefolkfestival.org