Bättre Folk festival area packed with cars in Hailuoto

The Bättre Folk festival area in Hailuoto is packed with cars, with more vehicles than ever before, festival director Pekka Heinonen told Yle.

A queue of parked cars stretched nearly a kilometre along the road leading to Marjaniemi at around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, while the nearby Sumpun parking area was completely full. Attendees arriving by car have also faced longer walks to the festival site than in previous years.

Despite earlier concerns, the feared traffic chaos linked to the newly opened bridge has not materialised. In addition to festival-goers, Marjaniemi has also attracted day visitors without tickets enjoying the summer weather.

The festival, held for the first time since the bridge’s completion, is taking place at the far end of Hailuoto. Around 3,000 visitors are expected on Friday and Saturday.