IFC Invites SXSW Festival Attendees to Its 'Slightly Off' Fairgrounds

At next month’s SXSW, IFC will turn Austin’s Palm Park into a state fair of sorts.

Featuring music, food and fun in a "Slightly Off" fashion, IFC Fairgrounds will provide a free outdoor experience open to all festival badge-holders from March 12-14.

Before the area opens, IFC will host a Portlandia panel on March 11 at 3:30pm at the Austin Convention Center (room 18ABCD) with creators/stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. They will preview sketches from the upcoming fourth season, which premieres Feb. 27, and engage in a live Q&A.

Outside at East 3rd and Red River, the IFC Fairgrounds will feature a main stage, hosting 21 bands over the course of the three days. Attendees, 18 and older, can also enjoy music in two designated lounge areas, including the “Deep End Theater,” a multimedia lounge in the park’s empty pool basin.

Those looking to get their ya-yas out in a different way can grab a burlap sack, climb the stairs and descend upong a three-lane slide. The Fairgrounds also will be home to classic carnival games such as balloon darts and corn hole with drink ticket prizes.

Food will also be in supply with prize-winning trucks -- CoolHaus, Slab BBQ and Chi’Lantro – serving up delectables, near the beer tent and picnic area. As a special ode to Portlandia and its upcoming episode featuring a celery themed sketch (http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos/portlandia-the-celery-incident), the Coolhaus truck will proffer two new exclusive flavors: cherry-bourbon-celery and peanut butter-raisin-celery ice cream sandwiches.

The IFC Fairgrounds will also play host to partner brands: Doritos (returning), an official SXSW sponsor, will provide free chips; Hotels.com (new) will host an lounge similar to a hotel, where attendees can relax in the shade and recharge; Joe’s Crab Shack (new) will sponsor a “Joe’s Game Shack” area featuring 100% Shore-style fun with fairground games and prizes and, for one hour each day, treat guests inside the designated VIP areas to two free specialty cocktails; Subway (returning) will host an artist’s green room for musicians to hang between sets with plenty of free sandwiches to go around; and Twizzlers (new) will sponsor the three-lane slide, with a designated area for participants to take and upload their best selfies.

“This year, we’ve taken the IFC SXSW experience outdoors,” said Blake Callaway, IFC’s executive vice president of marketing and digital media. “The IFC Fairgrounds will feature music, old school carnival games, a giant slide, and even Portlandia-inspired ice cream. Our advertising partners are along for the fun and we look forward to opening the Fairgrounds to thousands of festival goers.”

IFC FAIRGROUNDS MUSIC SCHEDULE

Wednesday, March 12

2:30PM: Streets of Laredo

3:40PM: Meg Myers

4:40PM: Jeremy Messersmith

5:40PM: Twin Forks

6:40PM: The Hold Steady

7:40PM: Temples

8:40PM: Bronze Radio Return

Thursday, March 13

2:20PM: Fly Golden Eagle

3:15PM: Vance Joy