September 12, 2008; Monterey, CA;The 51st Monterey Jazz Festival Presented by Verizon is implementing new free Bicycle Valet Parking for those patrons who are able to commute to the Festival from local hotels and residences. Patrons staying near the Festival are encouraged to use personal bicycles to reduce their carbon footprint and get a good cardiovascular workout as well!

The free Bicycle Valet Parking Service is provided in a partnership between the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Monterey Fairgrounds and Monterey Green Action, an organization committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of the city of Monterey, promoting green policies and practices, raising awareness, and spurring community action to enable a socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous Monterey. The MGA, MJF and the Monterey Fairgrounds encourage patrons to use this new service, if possible. More information on MGA can be found on the web at www.montereygreenaction.com.

Free Bicycle Valet Service is located at Fairgrounds Gate 3, on the corner of Fairground Road and Garden Road, at the southwest end of the Festival grounds. 

 “Our goal is to get the community to participate in bike travel to this event to reduce emissions while saving money on gas and parking,” said Megan Tolbert, Director of Monterey Green Action. “Cyclists can simply ride up to the valet table at Gate 3, take a claim ticket, and leave their bicycle safe and secure with Monterey Green Action staff during festival hours. Free stroller parking is also available.”

Also changing for MJF/51 in 2008 is the closure of the Navy Parking Lot behind the Monterey Fairgrounds for an extensive renovation. General Paid Parking for the 51st Monterey Jazz Festival will be at Monterey Peninsula College, a short distance from the Fairgrounds, located at 980 Fremont Street, Monterey, 93940. Bus Service will be available every fifteen minutes throughout the Festival weekend, offering easy and eco-friendly transportation between the MJF parking areas at Monterey Peninsula College and the Fairgrounds. The Monterey Jazz Festival will charge $10 to cover costs.

Bus Service will begin when the MJF parking areas open at Monterey Peninsula College, beginning at 5:00 pm on Friday, September 19; 10:30 am on Saturday, September 20; and 10:00 am on Sunday, September 21. All buses will be wheelchair accessible. We encourage all patrons to visit the Monterey Jazz Festival website, www.montereyjazzfestival.org  to view maps and more information regarding the parking for this year.

The Monterey Jazz Festival thanks our partners at Monterey Peninsula College for providing parking space, Monterey-Salinas Transit for their help in providing transportation for our fans, and Monterey Green Action for taking a leadership role to make this innovative program a success.