JazzFest is a two-day outdoor musical event, July 17-18, 2009 at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls. It features two stages and is free to the public.
JazzFest 2008 FAQ's:
What is JazzFest? The annual Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival, JazzFest, has become a summer favorite for Sioux Falls and the region. JazzFest is a two-day outdoor musical event, featuring two stages and is FREE to the public. At JazzFest 2008 an estimated 90,000 enjoyed the music, sun, food and people watching.
Who organizes JazzFest? JazzFest is a fundraiser for the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Jazz & Blues Society raises money through the sale of beverages at the festival. You can learn more about the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society at their website www.sfjb.org.
When and where is JazzFest? JazzFest usually takes place the third weekend in July 2009 dates are July 17-18. The festivities kick off Friday night at 5pm and go until 11:45pm. On Saturday, the music starts at noon and goes until 11:45pm. The festival is located at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, SD - located at the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and I-229. From I-29 S take I-229, then the Minnesota Avenue exit. Once you are on that exit you will turn right and go about 100 feet to enter the park.
Is there an admission fee? No, JazzFest is a FREE event! Generous sponsorships from many local and regional companies as well as hundreds of volunteers from the community allow the event to remain free to the public. Because there is free admission, we ask that attendants not bring in any outside food or beverages. JazzFest is possible because of our sponsors, volunteers and the sale of food and beverages at the event.
Is jazz the only music featured at JazzFest? JazzFest features a wide variety of music every year including jazz, blues, Zydeco, Latin, reggae, big band, rock, soul and funk among others.
Can I bring a cooler with outside food or outside beverages to JazzFest? No. JazzFest is a free event and all proceeds from beer, pop and water sales go to fundraise for the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society, the folks that put JazzFest on. No coolers, no pets ("seeing eye" and "support" dogs excluded), no RVs.
How do I get to Yankton Trail Park? Yankton Trail Park is located on the south side of Interstate 229 off Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls, SD. Click here for a map of Sioux Falls.
Where do I park? There is a $10 parking fee to park inside Yankton Trail Park. We do not recommend parking on streets surrounding the park. There is a bike/walking trail that connects Yankton Trail Park to several other parks in Sioux Falls. We suggest that you park your car at another park along the trail and then take the path into the JazzFest site. Click here for a map of Sioux Falls parks and bike trails. It is free to ride the downtown Trolley which will run continuously from the Downtown Holiday Inn.
Click here for a parking map of the JazzFest 2009 grounds.
Additional parking will be available at Memorial Lutheran Church, 5000 S. Western Avenue. Also, complimentary ice water is available at the church as well.The easiest way to get to JazzFest is to use the shuttle buses.
Are shuttle buses available? Yes. For only $3 per person for the round trip, shuttles are an easy way to travel to the festival. Shuttle locations are Lincoln, Roosevelt and O'Gorman High Schools. Park your car and ride into the festival! Shuttles will begin service at 5pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday, running until 12:30am both nights. The downtown trolley will also run from the downtown Holiday Inn City Centre from 5pm to midnight both days for free!
What if I want to ride my bike? We highly recommend it! In fact, Spoke-n-Sport will be happy to valet your bike for you on your arrival! The bike valet is located just off of the bike trail south of the main stage area.
Where can I book a hotel room? There are hundreds of hotel choices in Sioux Falls. The Holiday Inn Downtown City Centre is the official host hotel of JazzFest and has special JazzFest rates. Call the Holiday Inn City Centre at 605-339-2000. Click here for information on special JazzFest lodging packages. You can also go to the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitor's Bureau website to obtain other lodging information for the Sioux Falls area.
Is JazzFest accessible to those with disabilities? Yankton Trail Park is completely handicap accessible including wheelchair accessible port-a-pots and reserved ADA parking. Click here for a map showing ADA accessible parking. "Seeing eye" and "support" dogs are welcome.
Can I camp at JazzFest? No. Yankton Trail Park is not a campground. Over night camping is not permitted in Sioux Falls Parks. Camping information is available on the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau website www.siouxfallscvb.com.
Can I bring a tent? No. Tents block the view of everyone behind you and that's not a good thing when thousands of people will be attending JazzFest. Please leave the tent at home.
Can I bring an umbrella? No, unfortunately, umbrellas block the view of those behind you.
Can I bring my pet to JazzFest? No. JazzFest is fun for people... but a hot and miserable place for pets. Please keep your pet at home in a nice cool place with plenty of water.
Can I bring my RV? Sorry, no. There is limited parking in the festival area and RVs not only take up too much space, they cause unnecessary traffic problems. RV parking areas will be announced at a later date.
Is there food at JazzFest? Yes! Lots of it! The festival brings in a plethora of vendors selling resonably priced items...everything from Bar-B-Q to fresh fruit!
What kind of seating is available at JazzFest? Yankton Trail park is made up of soccer fields. Open seating (no bleachers, etc) is available, so bring your own small lawn chairs and blankets to set out on the lush, green grass. We ask that you not reserve space with the use of rope, cords, tape or other materials. JazzFest organizers reserve the right to remove all obstructions that are not in the spirit of this open seating policy. This includes umbrellas that may be blocking the view of other festival goers.
Are ATM's available on-site? Yes.
Can I volunteer for JazzFest? Yes. JazzFest would not be possible if not for the hundreds of community members who donate their time. Call (605) 335-6101 for more information about volunteering your time at JazzFest or sign up online by clicking the volunteer link. Volunteers are an integral part of JazzFest! We love our volunteers!
How can I apply to perform at JazzFest? If you are interested in performing at JazzFest 2009, send submissions to:
JazzFest
Attn: John Vernon
123 S. Main Avenue Suite 204
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
info@sfjb.org
JazzFest starts accepting press kits/CDs November 1 until February 1. We keep artist submissions on file for one year. No electronic submissions are considered or accepted.
How can I become a sponsor of JazzFest? Please contact the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society at info@sfjb.org for more information about sponsoring JazzFest.
Can I hold a private party at JazzFest? Absolutely! We have corporate/private tents for companies, class or family reunions, birthday parties, or any old reason you may want to throw a party!. Catering options are available. Call 605-335-6101 for more information.
Should I bring my kids? YES! JazzFest is an event for all ages. JazzQuest is a special area just for kids with tons of activities, like face painting, arts and crafts, musical games and other activities. The kids area inflatables will be open from 5-9pm on Friday night and inflatables and arts and crafts projects will be available from 1-9pm on Saturday.
What should I bring to JazzFest? A small lawn chair or blanket; a bike, ball or Frisbee; cash or credit cards; a hat, sunblock, sunglasses, your kids, and a great attitude!
What should I leave at home? Umbrellas or tents, coolers or outside food and beverages, pets ("seeing eye" and "support" dogs excluded), radios and portable TV's.
If you have any other questions about JazzFest, please contact the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society office by emailing info@sfjb.org or calling 605.335.6101.
See you at JazzFest 2009 on July 17th and 18th!