Nuts and bolts tips on how to visit Bumbershoot

Black Eyed Peas, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sheryl Crow, Modest Mouse, Jason Mraz, De La Soul and All-American Rejects are among the big-name concert headliners that will draw crowds to Bumbershoot's three-day extravaganza of music, theater, visual arts and literary activities this weekend at Seattle Center.

Pick up your required pass for evening Mainstage shows first, then spend the day exploring arts events at venues around the Center grounds.

Bumbershoot knows we can all use a laugh and is expanding its popular comedy shows to three stages this year. Comedy Passes, available starting at 11 a.m. daily, are recommended but not required for comedy-show admission. Standby lines admit people without a pass if there's space available 15 minutes before each comedy show.

Kids are welcomed with a day of "Youngershoot" activities including creative workshops, movies starting at noon and concerts at 1 p.m. daily at the Northwest Court Stage, which will feature some of the Northwest's most popular family bands. Included are The Not-It's! on Saturday, Board of Education on Sunday and Recess Monkey on Monday.

Beer gardens and world cuisine from a variety of food vendors are available around Center grounds.

You can bring your own food and beverages, but no bottles or cans. Disposable plastic water bottles are allowed on Center grounds, but only reusable, nondisposable water bottles are allowed in Memorial Stadium.

Other prohibited items at the festival include chairs, large coolers, wagons, large backpacks, cameras with detachable lenses, audio/video recording devices with external microphones, air horns, laser pointers, weapons and alcohol. Only small "bumbershoots" are allowed; no cane-style umbrellas. No animals are allowed at Mainstage shows and Bumbershoot strongly advises pets be left at home.

The details

Time: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Admission closes 10 p.m. daily.

Cost: $50/day, $120-$420/three-day pass. $15/day for ages 6-10, ages 65 and older and people with disabilities (government-issued identification noting a permanent disability required), day of event only. Ages 5 and younger free. Tickets available at Seattle Center entrances on Mercer Street between Bagley Wright and Intiman Theatres and on Thomas Street just south of EMP/SFM. Additional free pass required for evening Mainstage shows, given out on a first-come, first-served basis at three outdoor ticket booths: between Bagley Wright and Intiman theaters; at the south end of the Fun Forest Pavilion; and on the east side of the Center House. Comedy Pass distribution at the northwest corner of the Center House.

Location: Seattle Center, Seattle.

Getting there: Seattle Center Monorail operates between Westlake Center and Seattle Center every 10 minutes, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily; 206-905-2620 or seattlemonorail.com. Seattle Center hotline for traffic and parking: 206-233-3989. Metro Transit service information: 206-553-3000 or tripplanner.metrokc.gov. Sound Transit Link light-rail information, 206-398-5000 or soundtransit.org.

Parking: Free bicycle parking; bring a lock. Seattle Center parking lots offer discounts for vehicles with three or more occupants; private pay lots, prices vary. Street parking in the area metered Saturday, free Sunday and Monday.

More information: 206-281-7788 or bumbershoot.org.

Madeline McKenzie: 206-464-8245 or mmckenzie@seattletimes.com