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 Cookout
- Doors open at 4:00pm
- Closing time is 10:00pm
Friday August 19th
Blues Night Out
- 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 20th
Back to Our Roots
- 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 starting in 2023, all children 12 and under will be charged a $1 per day 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 wide variety of amazing food vendors from across the province who will be featured during the Nova Scotia Summer Fest Cookout. Some vendors will remain on site during the duration of the festival.
WILL YOU BE SERVING ALCOHOL ONSITE?
Yes. There will be an alcohol designated area on the main Columbus Field 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.
CAN I COME AND GO FROM THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS?
Yes, anyone can enter and exit the festival grounds after being issued a valid festival bracelet.
IS THE FESTIVAL WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Yes. Like 2022, there will be an accessible entrance way and accessible washroom onsite. At the time of this posting, we are working on adding additional accessibility features.
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 to 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
WHERE DO I PURCHASE TICKETS?
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets online. Tickets will also be sold at the gate during the festival.
How Much are tickets?
CLICK HERE to get ticket costs.
All tickets are general admission.
Note: We do not sell VIP tickets.
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 100% 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.
Summer Fest Cookout
Please CLICK HERE for Cookout Information
Accommodations
There are several accommodation options in Antigonish. Nova Scotia Summer Fest Association is not directly linked to any of the providers listed below. These links are being provided as a courtesy to aid in your accommodation search and many not include all accommodation options in Antigonish.
- Airbnb
- Homeward Inn
- Micro Boutique Living
- Antigonish Evergreen Inn
- Seascape Cottages
- Pomquet Beach Cottages
- Keppoch Inn
- Maritime Inn
- Claymore Inn & Suites
- Coastal Inn
- St. FX University Hotel
- Whydham Microtel Inns & Suites
We are also providing links to nearby accommodations that are outside of Antigonish by approximately 30-60 minutes in Antigonish County, Pictou, New Glasgow and Port Hawkesbury.
- Oasis Motel & Campground
- Widden Park Campground
- The Cove Motel
- Fossil Farms Oceanside Retreat
- Hyclass Campground
- Linwood Harbour Campground
- Pictou Lodge
- Cranberry Campground
- Comfort Inn New Glasgow
- Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury
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 (6) 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 (6) Campground Bracelets
WHAT ARE THE CHECK IN TIMES?
- Thursday, August 17 th from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
- Friday, August 18 th 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
Children 12 + Under
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 starting in 2023, all children 12 and under will be charged a $1 entrance fee.
Festival Map
Directions
Parking & Shuttles
There is parking within walking distance to Columbus Field. There are many side streets 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.
At the time of this posting, we are working on a series of shuttle options from larger parking lots that are approximately 5 minutes from the festival site.
Safety Mandate
Nova Scotia Summer Fest Assoc. will have a First Aid Booth onsite that will be staffed with medical professional and (or) certified first aid responders. 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.
Any matter that may occur beyond these minor occurrences can be handled by our professional staff. Should a medical emergency occur, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital is a just a 2-minute drive from 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 local police, our regional hospital, and the Town of Antigonish.
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.