FAQ
How do I become a volunteer?
We love our volunteers! Application information will be posted on our website in March.
What items are allowed on site?
The following items ARE allowed:
YES Portable/ collapsible chairs
YES Cell phones
YES Soft-sided coolers
YES Blankets and beach towels
YES Water bottles (provided they are sealed)
YES Small back packs, bags, and purses
YES Personal cameras (small digital ones)
YES Lighters and cigarettes
YES Binoculars
YES Umbrellas (small hand-held ones)
YES Baby strollers
NOTE: Items on the list below WILL be confiscated.
What items are prohibited on site?
The following items are NOT allowed:
NO Weapons of any kind
NO Bicycles inside festival grounds (bike racks available near entrance)
NO Skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, carts or personalized motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs)
NO Illegal substances or drug paraphernalia
NO Alcohol (alcohol will be sold at the festival)
NO Pets (except service dogs)
NO Over-sized umbrellas (beach/golf)
NO Hard-sided coolers
NO Glass containers
NO Unauthorized vendors permitted
NO Audio recording devices
NO Video equipment: No video recording will be allowed
NO Professional photograph equipment
(small hand held cameras without additional lenses are fine)
NO Fireworks
NO Beach balls, soccer balls, baseballs, etc…
NO Squirt guns or water toys
NO Tents
NO Megaphones
NO Non-collapsible Chairs
NOTE: ALL BAGS WILL BE SEARCHED.
Festival Audio/Visual Recording Policy
Patrons of the RBC Bluesfest are not permitted access to the festival site with video cameras, audio recording devices, or any photographic equipment with detachable zoom lenses and/or tripods. Handheld cameras without detachable lenses are allowed.
RBC Bluesfest reserves the right to confiscate any such equipment or deny entry/remove a patron from the premises who fails to comply with this policy.
When do the festival grounds open each day?
Gates open at 5:00PM on weekdays, noon on weekends and the festival ends at or before 11:00PM nightly.
Are children admitted free to RBC Bluesfest?
Children under 10 can enter the festival with an adult who’s purchased admission at no extra cost. However, if children are accompanying a parent into an area with reserved seating, such as Gold Circle, extra seating is not provided.
Will there be an information booth?
Yes, there will be an information booth located near the main gates (north side, just past the food tent by the main gates). There will also be an Information Team circulating the festival grounds prepared to answer any questions you may have.
What kind of wheelchair access is there?
The venue grounds are wheelchair-accessible. However, due to the ground’s natural terrain and size, it can be difficult to manoeuvre a wheelchair. There will be a reserved area in the main bowl designated for patrons using wheelchairs. It is important to note that the person in the wheelchair needs a general admission ticket to access the wheelchair area(s). Please bring an attendant if needed. The attendant will be given free access to both general admission areas and the wheelchair area when he/she accompanies the wheelchair user.
The festival does not provide any personal care or golf cart rides, but RBC Bluesfest’s volunteer A-Team (A for Accessibility) does offer push service and other light support as deemed appropriate. The A-Team volunteers will be roaming the site to offer support as well as stationed in the main bowl in the A-Team Tent near the Info Booth to offer guidance and light support as needed.
What is RBC Bluesfest doing to be an accessible event?
People with disabilities are welcome to attend our event.
Support persons can access the festival site without additional cost above the admission price for the patron with a disability (one support person per person with a disability).
In addition, patrons using a wheelchair (and their support worker) are welcome to access our Empire Grill Clubhouse areas (located close to several stages) at no additional cost above their general admission ticket.
We also maintain a raised viewing platform at our Bell Stage for patrons who use a wheelchair. Collapsible lawn chairs are permitted throughout the site and we encourage those who may have difficulty standing for long periods to bring them.
RBC Bluesfest Accessibility Policy
Will there be ATM machines on site?
Yes, there will be several ATM machines throughout the venue grounds. We recommend bringing cash as some vendors cannot accept debit/credit cards.
Will there be First Aid stations on site?
Yes, First Aid stations will be at prominent locations on site. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of our festival team if you require assistance.
Is there a lost and found?
Yes, we have one on site. It is located at the administration office in the Canadian War Museum. After the festival, please contact us for more information.
Where can I park my car/van/truck?
We highly recommend the use of public transit, taxis, or drop-off zones (there will be a taxi stand on site). We are updating our 2013 parking coordinates to reflect scheduled construction and street closures, and will post this information prior to the festival.
Will tickets be available on site?
Absolutely! Tickets are available at the front gate box office, which opens at 4PM on festival weekdays and noon on festival weekend dates. However, due to this year’s exceptional line up, we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance as the festival is ‘first come, first served’ and we cannot predict wait times at the box office.
Can I leave and re-enter the festival on the same night?
Yes, you may go in and out of the festival grounds with proper daily accreditation.
You MUST scan out if you intend to return on the same date – no exceptions. Please see a gates attendant PRIOR to exiting the festival gates if you are unclear on how this is done.
Are concerts cancelled when it is raining?
No, concerts go on, rain or shine.
Will there be food /beverage vendors on site?
Yes, there will be a variety of cuisine and refreshments available to enjoy, ranging from light snacks to meal platters. Several beverages, such as soft drinks, beer, and wine, will also be sold.
Are there toilets and hand-wash stations available on site?
Yes.
Will there be a mist tent?
No.
How do I become a food vendor?
The 2013 vendor application will be posted soon – please keep an eye on our website for details.
How can I perform at RBC Bluesfest?
Thank you for your interest. We are not currently soliciting applications for the 2013 RBC Bluesfest. Details about artist submissions for the following year are posted early November on our website. Please note, due to the high volume of inquiries, we cannot respond individually to each request.
Can you donate to my fundraising event?
Our yearly deadline for these requests is February 1. We are no longer able to donate to charitable events for the 2013 year.
Do you have special prices for children?
Children under 10 can enter at no additional cost when supervised by adults who have purchased admission to the festival on that date.
For youths aged 10-21, we also offer a Youth Festival Wristband. Please visit our ticket page for details and pricing.
