How To Stay Safe During the Portland Folk Festival

Portland’s Folk Festival is one of the most popular music events in Oregon. It’s also a festival that gives back to the community through clothing drives and other charitable opportunities. Even for well-organized events, though, accidents can be a risk when many people gather in one location. 

If you’re planning on attending Portland’s Folk Festival, you’ll want to follow these key tips to help you stay safe and enjoy the experience to the fullest. 

Know the Area

Whether it’s your first time at the McMenamins Crystal Ballroom or your twentieth, it’s always a good idea to take a look around before the venue is filled to capacity. Once the space is filled with music lovers, it may be difficult to identify the closest exits, concessions, and bathrooms. 

In case of emergency, being aware of your surroundings can help you avoid confusion and get out of harm’s way as quickly as possible. 

Prepare For a Crowd Crush

When the music is great, a crowd of people may forget about personal space and pack in close for a better view of the band. A crowd crush can result in a variety of injuries, including broken bones from a fall if you lose balance. In this situation, the CDC recommends staying calm and waiting for a lull in the movement to work your way through the crowd in a diagonal fashion.

If a stampede should happen, keep your hands in front of your chest and move in the direction of the crowd. Don’t try to resist. Avoid falling if you can, but if you do fall, curl into a ball to protect your vital organs and stand again as soon as you’re able. 

Dress Comfortably

Since this festival is held indoors, attendees don’t have to deal with the same weather issues that are common at outdoor venues. However, it’s still important to dress comfortably. 

Though there is an elevator to take guests up to the third floor where the main music stage is located, it’s small, so you may need to walk up and down three flights of stairs many times during the festival. 

Slippery or uncomfortable shoes could not only lead to a difficult experience, but they could also increase the risk of a foot injury or a slip and fall accident. Wear shoes with a firm grip and ample comfort.

Go With Friends

Unfortunately, around 92% of female fans report experiencing harassment at music festivals. Around 3% report being raped or sexually assaulted. Going with and staying with a friend, however, may reduce your chances of being harmed. 

Establish a meeting place if you get separated, and agree to check in with one another every 30 to 60 minutes. To benefit from attending with a friend, it’s important to know where they are throughout the event.

Make Informed Decisions About Drugs and Alcohol

Adults 21 and over may opt for alcohol or cannabis products during the festival as long as they are compliant with state and venue laws. If you plan on enjoying these products, keep in mind that the Portland Folk Festival is a two-day event that spans over six hours each day. It could be wise to pace your consumption with this timeline in mind.

You will also want to make plans for getting home safely. Plan on using Uber or other ridesharing services to avoid the possibility of a DUI or serious auto accident. 

Stay Safe, and Have Fun At Portland’s Folk Festival

Portland’s Folk Festival attracts people from all over the state and beyond. By taking a few precautions, you can keep yourself safe and ensure you enjoy the best experience at this fun and memorable local event. 

If you do suffer an injury at this or similar events in Oregon, you have options. Make sure to speak with a Portland personal injury attorney to find out whether you’re entitled to compensation.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Portland at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers

If you were injured in an accident in Portland, OR, please contact our Portland personal injury lawyers at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

We proudly serve all throughout Multnomah County in Oregon. Visit our office at:

Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905
Portland, OR, 97204
(503) 773-3333
Hours: Open 24/7