We learn by experience, right? So it would be madness -- madness, we say! -- to ignore the advice of experienced National Folk Festival-goers. Following are tips from people who learned a thing or three during the festival's first two years in Richmond. Their advice, like admission to the folk fest, is free. Take it from the experts:

1

Be adventurous. Don't avoid an act because you don't know its music. The variety of genres will surprise you.  Find out more about each performer by reading "Folk Facts."

2

Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy. The National Folk Festival's not easily ingested in an hour or two. But if that's all you have, come listen anyway. Build your own schedule.

3

Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to walk. And walk. And walk (in mud, if it rains, though rain's not expected).  Print out a map.

4

Study the pocket guide (including map and schedule) you receive at the entrance. It helps. Print up a schedule.

5

Come hungry. The food is great and reasonably priced. It's the most important thing next to the music. Food vendor list.

6

Or . . . bring water, snacks and meals yourself and save the money for a CD or the Ten Thousand Villages Marketplace.

7

Or . . . have lunch in Shockoe Slip, park your car there and hoof it to the festival via the Canal Walk.

8

For daytime acts, bring a hat and sunscreen.

9

Layer clothing for later acts; evening temperatures are expected to dip to the mid-40s.

10

Buy the artists' CDs early, if possible. Some sell out. Listen to audio clips.

11

Most areas have chairs, but bring a small chair or blanket if you'd rather not risk sitting on the ground at some point.

12

Bring tissues, hand sanitizer and wipes for the toilets. Portable toilets are plentiful, but they're also well-used. 13Free handicap parking is available. Also, you can park in several area lots for $5. For location details, visit www.nationalfolkfestival.com/events_directions.html.

14

Or . . . even better, park at The Diamond or Cloverleaf Mall and take a shuttle bus. (See "Shuttle bus schedule.")

15

Look to the folk-fest volunteers with any questions. You can't miss them -- they're sporting lime-green shirts.

16

Support the festival by making a donation to the Bucket Brigade volunteers. You can't miss them, either -- they're in bright orange shirts.

17

Keep in mind, if you attended before, that some of the stages have changed locations. Because of construction work, nothing will take place in the Federal Reserve parking lot. The center of the site has shifted toward Tredegar Iron Works. Check out the new map.

18

Stop and take a look at the river. The James is worth it.

19

Make time to visit the Virginia Folklife Area and see masters and apprentices who make musical instruments, cure ham, pinstripe autos and practice any number of traditional arts. Find out more about crafters at this year's fair.

20

Thank the volunteers who helped make the 69th National Folk Festival a success -- as well as the sponsors who are helping make sure the 2008 Richmond Folk Festival carries on the tradition. -- Cynthia McMullen

Contact Cynthia McMullen at (804) 6496361 or cmcmullen@timesdispatch.com. Bridgforth Allen, Jack Berry, Katie Boyer, Bill and Jane Erskine, Ernie Mackey, Stephen Lecky, Joe Shocket and Joanne Stevenson contributed to this story.