Info and FAQ
Wondering about parking? Tickets? Where to stay?
See below for answers to these questions and more.
FAQ's
We have individual day passes and weekend passes available, with special discounts for seniors, youth, and young adults.
Children 13 and under enter for free (when accompanied by an adult.)
Tickets are non-refundable. The festival goes on rain or shine, and we have tents at most stages to keep you covered in either case.
For more ticket information ~ click here or call (519) 371-2995 or stop by the Georgian Bay Folk Society office in Owen Sound.
Friday ~ 4:00 pm – music from 6:00 pm until 1:00 am
Saturday ~ 10:00 am – music from 11:00 am until 1:00 am
Sunday ~ 10:00 am – music from 10:30 am until 11:00 pm
Patrons must line up prior to these times, as no entry into the park is permitted before the gates open (with the exception of accredited/registered volunteers.)
Lineup Numbers:
Numbered cards will be handed out to folks waiting in line, prior to the gates opening. This is done to prevent folks from skipping the lineup and rushing into the amphitheatre. Once you have been given a number, you may leave the lineup and return without losing your spot in line.
Once the gates open, when your number is called, you will be able to enter the festival grounds and set up your seat(s) in the amphitheatre if you wish. If you’re not present when your number is called, the next number will be called, and so on.
Numbers will be handed out at these times:
• Friday 3:00pm
• Saturday 8:30am
• Sunday 8:30am
Stop by our JUST ASK (Access Support Krew) Tent for assistance, a place to rest, or to get information on accessibility, including the best pathways to stages, vendors, workshop sites, washroom facilities, as well as medical suppliers.
Large-print and Braille schedules are also available ~ JUST ASK.
Summerfolk is committed to offering exceptional service to its patrons by providing an environment that is inclusive, accessible, and respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. In order to help us maintain these standards, please check in with the Summerfolk Festival JUST ASK team upon arrival, if you are a person with a disability who requires assistance to participate in the festival or in the event of an emergency evacuation.
Bring a lawn chair of your own, but remember the Amphitheatre Seating policy and keep it practical and friendly.
Please note that umbrellas are not permitted in the amphitheatre, as they obstruct the view of the stage for fellow patrons. (Tarps and ponchos are encouraged, in the event of inclement weather.)
Accessible Seating: For patrons and their companions wishing to enter the Amphitheatre area, please advise the volunteers located at the entrance to the venue. Should you wish, they will have the ASK Team guide you to an accessible seating area.
The curb lanes of the main road servicing the park are designated for parking free of charge. There is also free parking at Timothy Christian School (1735 4th Ave W, Owen Sound, ON), in the north end parking area of the Rexall Health Team building (1415 – 1st Avenue West), and on the residential streets surrounding the park.
Please respect the residents and the neighbourhood.
Accessible Parking: Due to limited availability, only those patrons with an official Accessible Parking Permit recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation will be able to park in the accessible parking area.
Fifteen (15) accessible parking spots are available at the front gate. If all of the designated accessible parking spots are occupied when you arrive, our parking volunteers will help you find a suitable parking alternative.
REQUESTS for accessible parking can be made prior to the event ~ Click here
Hotels, motels, and camping are all options for accommodations during the festival.
Owen Sound is a town of about 22,000 so accommodations tend to fill up very early for Summerfolk weekend.
We recommend that you book your accommodations early.
Limited on-site camping is available for volunteers only.
Yes, please bring your camera! We would love to share your photos of the great times, good friends and excellent entertainment Summerfolk brings each year.
Copyright laws prohibit the videotaping or recording of any artists appearing at the festival. Video and recording equipment will not be allowed on the festival grounds, unless permission/Media Accreditation has been authorized.
No – we also have individual day passes available!
For more ticket information, click here
Sorry, no pets (no matter how awesome) are allowed on the festival site. Service animals are permitted, but must be properly harnessed/identified.
As part of Summerfolk’s commitment to respectfully accommodate our patrons with disabilities, registered service animals are welcome to attend the festival, as well as our offices, with those who require them.
Please note that all service animals will receive a band to be worn on their collar. This will allow Summerfolk volunteers to identify legitimate service animals on the festival grounds.
It is important for service dogs to be identifiable to other patrons as well, as many people have animal allergies, and the festival advertises and upholds a no dog policy. The owner of any dog on the festival site not wearing a band issued by the festival will be directed to the Administration Staff to verify their legitimacy as a service animal.
Children may be registered free of charge at the First Aid Trailer. Children and adults will have a corresponding number written on their wristbands. If there was no admission charge for a child, a wristband will be given at the time.
If a child is lost, Security crews are notified and a volunteer will stay with the child and take them to the First Aid/Lost Kids area. ONLY the identification number will be broadcast from the stages to inform the adults.
If the child has not been registered, the proper identification will be required to the satisfaction of volunteer security or a police officer before the child is released to any adult. We do not offer babysitting services and children are not permitted to be left alone while participating in Children’s Village activities.
Lost & Found items will be kept at the Information Booth, located near the festival main gates.
After the festival, Lost & Found items will be brought to the GBFS Office, located at Harmony Centre Owen Sound 890 4th Ave E, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2N7
You can park your bike at the bicycle corral. Please do not park your bike along the fencing/parking lot – we provide a designated/contained area for cyclists to lock their bikes. Locks are your responsibility!
Bicycles are not permitted throughout the festival site.
Yes! There are licensed areas at the Down By the Bay tent and Gazebo Wine Bar. If you plan on drinking, you must bring government issue photo ID.
Festival goers are prohibited from bringing alcohol or drugs on to the grounds. Our on-site security crew and festival ambassador volunteers have the right to search containers and confiscate any prohibited materials.
Yes! We love it when folks of all ages join in the fun. We’re excited to offer ticket pricing options for adults, seniors, young adults, and youth. Plus, kids 13 and under get in for free! For tickets ~ Click here
NEW! We also have an on-site Baby Station beside the First Aid tent, to provide a quiet space for diaper changes, feeding, resting, etc.
Make sure you bring a reusable water bottle! We have water refill stations throughout the park, so there’s no need to bring plastic/single-use bottles. Do your part to keep Summerfolk green!
Pack what you’ll need for the ranging and changing temperatures. Kelso Beach at Nawash Park is next to a big beautiful lake, which can make for cold nights. You’ll want bathers and a jumper!
Definitely bring rain gear, but umbrellas are not permitted in the Amphitheatre as they block the view of your fellow concert goers. Ponchos are an ideal cover for you and your chair.
Bring a lawn chair of your own, but remember the Amphitheatre Seating policy and keep it practical and friendly.
Feel free to bring your own food and snacks; there are picnic tables situated throughout the park. But a picnic isn’t necessary.
We have a great food village offering a range of culinary temptations including vegetarian and some gluten free options.
For more information on the eats available at the festival this year, click here!
It is the policy of the city of Owen Sound that no person shall “smoke” on any “public playing field”, “playground equipment zone” or other “public recreation place” as defined in the city policy.
There is no smoking in public areas including the Amphitheatre, the Family Village, and in the Sharing Circle. The entire footage of the licensed areas (Down By the Bay tent, Backstage Bar and the Gazebo Wine Bar) are smoke-free as well.
Under NEW provincial law as of January 2015, there is no smoking allowed on or surrounding (within 20 meters) any sporting event field. Therefore, there is NO SMOKING ALLOWED within or surrounding the Volunteer Camping area and/or the baseball diamond.
Please be aware of others and use the sand pails provided for cigarette butts.
Support the future of the festival – DONATE
Share your skills and make new friends – VOLUNTEER
Bring your friends & family to Summerfolk ~ BUY TICKETS