Information

General Info

WHEN IS NOVA SCOTIA SUMMER FEST?

August 17, 18 and 19, 2023

WHERE IS NOVA SCOTIA SUMMER FEST TAKING PLACE?

Columbus Field, 121 Main St. Downtown Antigonish, NS

WHAT ARE THE FESTIVAL HOURS?

Thursday, August 17th
Nova Scotia Summer Fest Cook Out – FREE ADMISSION on AUGUST 17th!!

  • Doors open at 4:00pm
  • Closing time is 10:00pm

Friday August 18th
Blues Night Out – Click Here for Tickets

  • Doors open at 3pm
  • Music starts at 4:00pm
  • End of show times are approximately 11:15pm
  • The festival grounds will be cleared by approximately 12:00am
  • See the Festival Schedule for performance times.

Saturday August 19th
Back to Our Roots – Click Here for Tickets

  • Doors open at 12:00pm
  • Music starts at 1:00pm
  • End of show are approximately 11:15pm
  • The festival grounds will be cleared by approximately 12:00am
  • See the Festival Schedule for performance times.

IS THIS AN ALL-AGES EVENT?

Yes, however children 12 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult at the time of entry. To track official attendance and to connect each child with an adult onsite, all children 12 and under will be charged a $1 entrance fee.

CAN I BRING MY CHAIRS?

Yes, bag chairs are permitted however, if they are blocking the view of others, you will be asked to remove your chair. See the image below for reference.

ARE STROLLERS PERMITTED?

Yes

CAN I BRING IN MY OWN FOOD AND DRINKS?

No outside food permitted.

WILL THERE BE FOOD VENDORS ONSITE?

Yes. There will be a variety of food and beverage vendors onsite during the Nova Scotia Summer Fest Cookout and for the duration of the festival.

WILL YOU BE SERVING ALCOHOL ONSITE?

  • Yes. There will be an alcohol designated area and is restricted to ages 19+.
  • Government ID’s will be requested when entering this area.
  • No outside alcohol is permitted.
  • NOTE: Underage drinking is strictly prohibited and will be reported to security staff or an onsite RCMP Officer.

CAN I BRING MY PET?

No. Only licensed seeing eye dogs are permitted.

IS THE FESTIVAL WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?

Yes. There will be a designated accessible entrance/exit and accessible washroom onsite.

CAN I BRING MY BACKPACK OR PURSE ONTO THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS?

Yes, however all backpacks and purses are subject to a content search by our entrance security EACH TIME you enter the festival site.

Items that are not permitted include but are not limited to:

  • Umbrellas
  • Outside food and beverages
  • Outside alcohol and (or) contraband
  • Professional recording equipment including Go Pro’s
  • Suitcases
  • Cans or glass bottles
  • Large Carrying Bags (for example hockey equipment bags, etc.)
  • Laser Pointers
  • Frisbees, footballs, baseballs & gloves, soccer balls, kites, etc.
  • Portal Tables
  • Drones
  • Weapons or items that can potentially be used as a weapon.
    • NOTE – Security Staff or the onsite RCMP Officer will make this determination. If you are uncertain, do not bring the item with you. No exceptions.

Tickets

IS THE EVENT RAIN OR SHINE?

Yes, the festival is rain or shine.

WHERE DO I PURCHASE TICKETS?

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets online.

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS?

CLICK HERE for ticket prices.

WILL I RECIVE A WRISTBAND?

Wristbands will be issued at the festival entrance.

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM TICKET FRAUD?

The only way to be certain you have purchased a valid ticket is to do so directly from Nova Scotia Summer Fest by CLICKING HERE.

ARE THERE TICKET REFUNDS?

No refunds or exchanges on tickets. All sales are final.

CAN I EXCHANGE MY TICKET?

No refunds or exchanges on tickets. All sales are final.

Camping

Nova Scotia Summer Fest is pleased to partner with the Canadian Association for Assisted Living (CACL) to manage our camping grounds. Profits generated from the camping revenues will go to the CACL.

DO YOU HAVE BOTH TENTING AND RV CAMPING SPACES AVAILABLE?

Yes

WHERE DO I PURCHASE MY WEEKEND CAMPING PASS?

CLICK HERE to purchase a weekend camping pass.

HOW MUCH DOES MY WEEKEND CAMPING PASS COST?

For weekend camping passes, CLICK HERE

IS CAMPING SERVICED?

No – there are no electrical and (or) water hook ups. However, there will be portable washrooms, hand washing stations and 24-hour security.

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF MY UNSERVISED WEEKEND TENTING SPOT?

Approximately 500 SQ FT

WHAT DOES MY UNSERVICED WEEKEND TENTING PASS INCLUDE?

  • One (1) Parking Pass for your Vehicle
  • One (1) Camping Pass for your Tent
  • Up to five (5) Campground Bracelets

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE UNSERVISED WEEKEND RV SPOT?

Approximately 800 SQ FT

WHAT DOES MY UNSERVICED WEEKEND RV PASS INCLUDE?

  • One (1) Parking Pass for your Vehicle
  • One (1) Camping Pass for your Tent
  • Up to five (5) Campground Bracelets

WHAT ARE THE CHECK IN TIMES?

  • Thursday, August 17th from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
  • Friday, August 18th from 12:00pm to 8:00pm

NOTE: There are ONLY TWO (2) camping options:

  • Purchase a pass for all 3 days (August 17, 18 and 19) OR
  • Purchase a pass for 2 weekend days (August 18 and 19)

CHECK OUT TIME?

Sunday August 20th by 12:00pm

Directions

Festival Map

Summer Fest Cookout

Please CLICK HERE for Cookout Information

Parking

There are parking areas within walking distance to Columbus Field and various parking lots off Church St and College Street in Downtown Antigonish. These are located behind the East Coast Credit Union and Shoppers Drug Mart. There are also options on many side streets.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is available through the 90 St. Andrew’s Street entrance however to enter, the vehicle must have an Accessible Parking Identification.

Safety Mandate

Nova Scotia Summer Fest Assoc. will have a First Aid Booth onsite. Common visits to the First Aid Booth at festivals include sunburns, dehydration, and minor cuts. To avoid these unpleasantries, be sure to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and appropriate footwear.

Should a medical emergency occur, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital is close to the festival grounds allowing for a quick emergency response.

Safety is our top priority, and we pleased to have a strong team working with us from our security group, first aid workers, local police and more.

Inclusion Mandate

Nova Scotia Summer Fest Assoc. believes everyone should feel safe during the festival. We will help maintain this by not tolerating harmful behaviours, which may include non-consensual touching or verbal harassment. We have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to: race, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, or pregnancy.

Harassment includes but is not limited to stalking, verbal or physical intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and (or) battery, harassing or non-consensual photography or recording, bathroom policing, inappropriate physical contact, or unwelcome physical attention.

These types of behaviours may result in being ejected from the event. If this occurs, the attendee will not receive a refund and will be banned from future festival.

If you are a recipient of harassment or assault, we highly encourage you to notify Security Staff, a First Aid Officer or the RCMP Officer onsite.