YAKIMA, Wash. -- This weekend marks the 27th annual Yakima Folklife Festival.

However, like many annual events that rely on corporate sponsorship, donations and volunteer people power, Folklife is struggled during the economic downturn. As a result, it's noticeably smaller this year.

"We're just consciously doing less," says Ginny Brown, Yakima Folklife Association vice president.

Fewer stages, fewer nighttime venues and even fewer performers. But Folklife's ultimate mission is to bring live music to town, and this weekend Folklife fans will still have their pick of an eclectic lineup featuring folk, bluegrass, blues-rock, marimba, tropical pop, Croatian tunes, Celtic music (traditional and with a rock twist), introspective singer-songwriters and everything in between.

"We want the quality to be really good, so we're focusing on three stages and six venues and doing those well," says longtime volunteer Jane Newall.

And as always, it's still free to attend all of the weekend's concerts and workshops, although donations are gladly accepted.

Folklife festivities officially kick off tonight with music in various downtown bars and restaurants. A new stop is the North Town Coffeehouse. (Check the map at left to see where you can get your folk on, but be aware that some venues are only for ages 21 and older.)

The festival moves to the Yakima Valley Museum and Franklin Park on Saturday, filling three stages and an open-mike stage, beginning at 10 a.m. There, you'll also find the usual array of food and craft vendors, kids activities, music workshops (including one for the didgeridoo), a giant water slide -- adults, you can cool off here, too -- and the Medieval Faire.

The late-night music continues downtown Saturday, plus there's a contra dance at the Broadway Grange Hall. Head back to the park Sunday for more music beginning at 10 a.m.

On this year's bill are longtime Folklife favorites such as the Blue Tropics, Freespace (formerly the Bouncing Love Monkeys), Bye Bye Chinook, Colin Spring, 1928, Dave & the Dalmatians, Pat Moss & the New Frontier, the Rod Giles Band, Tom Rawson and Zuva Marimba, among others.

Among those making a return appearance is Ellensburg alt-country songstress Star Anna and her band, the Laughing Dogs, which recently released its sophomore disk, "The Only Thing That Matters." Also coming back for more is Seattle's fast-fiddling, tin-whistlin' Celtic rock band Ockham's Razor, which is making Folklife the CD release party for its new "Live & Well" live album that officially comes out Tuesday.

Among the new acts to the Folklife stages are local bluegrass band the Coyote Ridge Bluegrass Wranglers (which features three members from the former band Catch & Release), the multi-influenced local outfit Coffee Shop Disaster, and the beautifully melancholy Seattle singer-songwriter Kris Orlowski.

If you go ...

Music
• 8 to midnight tonight and Saturday at various downtown Yakima venues. Be aware some venues are 21 and older only.
• Begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Yakima Valley Museum and Franklin Park.

Activities
• The Society for Creative Anachronism’s Medieval Faire sets up Saturday and Sunday in Franklin Park.
• Check out the craft and food vendors and kids activities Saturday and Sunday in Franklin Park, and, of course, take a run at the giant water slide on the park’s north slope.
• Grab yer partner and do-si-do the night away at the contra dance beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Broadway Grange Hall.

Auction
• “Tree of Life,” an original artwork by graphic designer Darren Drew, is the winner of the second annual Yakima Folklife Festival poster contest. The design — inspired by ’60s psychedelic posters — is also featured on this year’s Folklife memorabilia, including the always-popular commemorative buttons. The original piece will be auctioned off at the festival. Visit the festival store in Franklin Park for more information.

Information
• All Folklife Festival events are free. For more information on the festival, links to the performers and volunteering opportunities, visit www.yakimafolklife.org.

Getting there
• Worried about finding a parking spot? There is additional daytime parking in Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital’s east lot. A free shuttle van will take you to and from Franklin Park.

Weather
• According to AccuWeather.com, Saturday will be partly sunny with temperatures in the mid-90s while Sunday will be breezy and slightly cooler. Tonight and Saturday night temperatures will be in the mid-50s.