Bumbershoot takes steps to avoid financial troubles in 2011

It's back to the future for Bumbershoot, which will return to a traditional ticketing system this fall after a one-year experiment with an "economy ticket" that excluded mainstage events.

Also: The mainstage will move indoors from Memorial Stadium to KeyArena.

Both moves appear designed to ward off a repeat of last year's festival, which was an economic flop for producer One Reel.

One Reel laid off eight staffers from its festival division in October 2010, after taking a hit at last year's music and arts festival.

Organizers at that time blamed poor weather; a bad economy; and the discount-ticket idea, which failed to attract ticket buyers. Attendance last year was about 35,000 per day at Seattle Center over the three-day festival — down from the usual 40,000 to 50,000, One Reel reported at the time.

This year, a single ticket will include access to all performances — including those on the mainstage — on a first-come, first-served basis.

Patrons who register online for a BumberFan Club, at bumbershoot.org/bumberfan.htm, will be eligible for a special Insider Deal beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The deal features a $75 three-day pass or a $29 single "any-day" ticket, both available for a limited time.

After the Insider Deal sells out, three-day passes will be available to the public for $90 in advance.

Single-day specific tickets will go on sale when the lineup is announced in the spring and will be $35 advance (through Sept. 2) or $45 at the gates. Special deals for children, seniors and disabled people are available; go to www.bumbershoot.org for details.

Bumbershoot will take place at Seattle Center Sept. 3-5.