By Rachel Levin, Sunset senior editor

(Photo credit: Christopher Nelson)

...And save $20! 3-day passes to Seattle’s famed arts and music fest (Aug 30-Sept 1) are regularly $100. But starting July 15 through Aug 15 they’re on sale for $80; single-day tickets, $35. Can’t wait till Tuesday? Join the Bumberfan Club (it’s free) and you can buy discounted tix today.

There’s even a weekly Summer Haiku Contest (I mean, who doesn’t love haiku contests?) and if Seattle Poetry Slam legend Karen Finnyfrock  likes your 5-7-5, you could win two passes.

One more tip—which will save you big bucks, not to mention your sanity: Parking. Instead of shelling out $40 for a space in one of those jam-packed lots around the 74-acre Seattle Center, quietly slip into the neighborhood just north of the festival (Queen Anne Hill) and walk in. Better yet, leave your car at home, and take public transportation if you can.

Also, remember: Bumbershoot may be known as one of the best music fests in the country (see here for this year’s killer line-up) but it’s growing increasingly known for its literary and arts stuff too. Bonus: the author readings, visual arts, comedy acts, and kids programs are often far less crowded than, say, Beck’s stage (Sorry, Beck.)

For a list of other summer music festivals around the West, click on "Happenings" (that link up there, to the right) and see Sunset copy chief Erika Ehmsen's well-researched list.