Your guide to Hardly Strictly

Drawing an estimated audience of 500,000 over the first weekend in October, the free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival is one of the highlights of the Bay Area fall entertainment calendar.

Founded by the late investment banker Warren Hellman in 2001 as a gift to the people of San Francisco, what was formerly a one-day concert with eight acts in a quiet corner of Golden Gate Park has become a huge annual fete that boasts more than 80 acts performing across six stages over three days — all for free!

The 18th annual edition of the outdoor festival, running Friday-Sunday, Oct. 5-7, features an eclectic lineup highlighted by Grammy-winning musicians Alison Krauss and Jeff Tweedy, the eccentric English musician Robyn Hitchcock and Roky Erickson, the reclusive Texan leader of the ’60s psychedelic band the 13th Floor Elevators.

Other artists on the bill this year include Graham Nash, Ani DiFranco, Vetiver, Steve Forbert, Ween, Prairie Prince, Mavis Staples, Hip Spanic Allstars, Gomez, JD McPherson, Howlin’ Rain, I’m With Her, Greyboy Allstars, Nick Lowe and Rodney Crowell.

Fans will also see regulars like Steve Earle, the Del McCoury Band, Buddy Miller, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Justin Townes Earle, Moonalice, Patty Griffin, the Flatlanders, the Go to Hell Man Band and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass’ perennial Sunday night headliner, Emmylou Harris.

Hellman created an endowment to ensure that Hardly Strictly would continue as a free event for the city of San Francisco after his death in 2011.

Apart from the addition of a few food trucks, the festival hasn’t changed much over the years. There are no corporate sponsors. No alcohol is sold. No shuttles zooming around the park. It remains a relatively congenial event. The neighbors don’t complain about it nearly as much as they do the Outside Lands festival, which draws only a fraction of the Hardly Strictly crowd.

Families, dogs, teens, hipsters, hippies and everyone in between pours into Golden Gate Park for three peaceful days of free music, which plays nonstop across six stages in Marx and Lindley Meadows and Hellman Hollow (named in honor of festival founder Hellman).

The weather in October is typically warm and pleasant, which means festival die-hards may encounter serious pedestrian gridlock while racing from stage to stage. But most people come early, stake out a nice spot on the lawn (or the hills and even dotting the treetops around the meadows), spread out a blanket and simply take in the surroundings.

Be aware, however, that Hardly Strictly often coincides with San Francisco Fleet Week, which means planes overhead often interrupt sets. On the bright side: You get to experience two San Francisco events at once.

Public transportation to Golden Gate Park is highly recommended. Several roads in the park will be closed during the festival, including John F. Kennedy, Transverse and Middle West drives. The designated ride-hailing, drop-off and pickup location is Balboa Street and 30th Avenue.

Muni is likely the best bet. Those heading to the north side of the park from downtown should take the 5Fulton bus (or the 5L, which should be a tad faster), which picks up riders at McAllister and Larkin streets, one block up from the Civic Center BART Station. Drop-off is at 30th Avenue and Fulton Street.

For those who plan to take the train, the Muni Metro N-Judah line provides access to the Sunset District side of the park. Festivalgoers can pick up the N-Judah next to the Caltrain station at Fourth and King streets — or at any of the downtown BART/Muni Metro

stations — and take it to any number of stops adjacent to the park.

Muni lines 1, 5, 7, 21, 28, 29, 31 and 38 will also get you within walking distance of the festival site.

Bicycling is also a great option. There are four main bicycle parking areas; three are self-service bike racks and one is valet.

Though many park roads will be closed to the public, festival organizers expect that the shuttle service within the park will be running as usual. Check the festival’s official online map for stop locations.

What are the food and drink options like?

No alcohol will be for sale in the park, but alcohol is allowed as per park rules: no hard alcohol or glass allowed; beer and wine in non-glass containers.

Food vendors will be on site, but don’t expect gourmet options like at ticketed festivals such as Outside Lands and BottleRock Napa Valley.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a familyfriendly festival, but children and leashed dogs should be comfortable with very large crowds, loud music and extreme weather conditions.

While it is admission-free, there are a few basic rules: No smoking. No busking. No camping. No solicitation. No saving spaces. Coolers, small blankets and short-backed chairs are allowed.

The key is to be considerate to the people around you. Hardly Strictly is known as a mellow affair — it’s important to keep it that way.

For a complete schedule and more information, go to www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com. Acts on select stages can also be live-streamed on the site.

A free mobile app features the full schedule, map, playlist and more at http://bit.ly/hsb18app

For other Hardly Strictly stories and live updates during the festival, don’t forget to check out datebook.sfchronicle.com.

Eliotes /