The weather promises to be warm, so visitors should dress appropriately and bring sunscreen. (Daniel Ng/Whole Earth Festival archival photo)
Advice on how to ‘do the festival’
Unlike Picnic Day, the Whole Earth Festival occurs over three days, providing more opportunities to participate in activities and explore vendor booths.
It is also more centralized on the Quad and nearby lawns, so you don’t have to walk all over campus searching for activities. Admission to the event is free.
Schedule
- Friday, May 9: Noon to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, May 10: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, May 11: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closing hours will be strictly enforced)
People are expected to rush the Quad during lunch time for the various vegetarian entrees, especially on opening day, so get there early if you do not want to wait in long lines.
Who to bring
The social atmosphere will be “down to Earth,” according to festival co-director Lindi Houser, so bring your family and friends on this Mother’s Day weekend. It will be the perfect way to spend time with your loved ones and learn more about preserving our Mother Earth.
Traffic and routes
People are encouraged to walk, bike, ride the bus or car pool to the event in order to reduce pollution.
If you’re coming from out of town, avoid taking the Richards Boulevard entrance because it will be packed with cars.
Instead, use the route you would take if you were going back to the residence halls: From San Francisco or Sacramento, take Interstate 80 to Highway 113 traveling north to Russell Boulevard. Exit east (right) on Russell and continue to Howard Way, where you will turn south (right) and park in the parking facility, the first building on the left.
The $6 parking fee will be enforced on Friday (with free parking on the weekends, of course).
Weather forecast
The weather report calls for a sunny weekend (knock on wood), so Houser advises to “bring lots of sunscreen and water, disposable income and a smile on your face.”
However, pack a sweater in case it gets chilly at night, because this event will take the whole day.