Festival updates line policy
—Courtesy photo In response to complaints about opportunistic people camping out to get line tickets to sell later in the day, the Festival at Sandpoint has changed its line policy to require a ticket or proof of purchase in order to secure a number to hold your place in line.
SANDPOINT — Effective for the Festival at Sandpoint’s second week, festival-goers will need a ticket, or proof of purchase on their phone or electronic device, to get a number in the morning number line on the lakeside of the venue. The box office/will call booth will be open at the number line at 8 a.m. before the numbers are given out, to retrieve your will call tickets if necessary.
“We are making this change in response to numerous complaints from our ticket buyers regarding the opportunistic individuals who are camping out and lining up to get the lowest numbers, then extorting large sums of money by selling these low numbers to ticket buyers later in the day,” said Festival Executive Director Dyno Wahl. “The intent of our policy is to offer this numbering privilege to those who have purchased tickets, not for people who have not purchased tickets to prey upon those who have. While this may not completely alleviate the problem, we believe it will help.”
Festival fans should still be aware of existing Sandpoint ordinances prohibiting overnight camping on city property and disturbing the peace during the night and early morning hours. Out of respect for these ordinances, the Festival encourages people to line up early in the morning starting at 6 a.m.
The Festival also wants to warn ticket buyers about unofficial ticket selling websites who are selling tickets for elevated prices. The only official ticket purchasing sites for Festival at Sandpoint tickets are www.festivalatsandpoint.com and www.eventbrite.com.
The Festival’s line policy is outlined below:
• Festival fans who like to sit as close to the stage as possible, line up early to be the first ones through the gates when they open.
• The lines to get numbers each morning form on the path on the lakeside of the venue to alleviate the problem of people gathering on the sidewalk on Ontario. Entry lines to the venue will still form prior to the concert on the street side at the Festival entrance, as usual.
• At approximately 8 a.m., the first numbers are given out to those in line, one number per person present only. If there are any more, additional numbers are given out at approximately 10am. No numbers will be given out after that. Expect to put in some time waiting for your number. No numbers are given for empty chairs or blankets that are placed in line, so you must be present to receive a number.
• You must have your ticket, or proof of purchase on your phone or device, to receive a number.
• Only one person is admitted with each number, but each person is allowed to throw a blanket for up to 4 people once inside. Blankets should be no more than 8’x 8’— no big tarps! This blanket size policy will be enforced.
• After receiving a number, fans are free to leave the area, but you should be back in line at the venue at least an hour before the gates open to confirm your spot.
• Up to 300 numbers are given out. The first 300 people admitted need a number to prove they were in line. If you didn’t arrive in time to receive a number, take your place at the end of the line and stay there to assure your position.
• Walk, don’t run. Ticket holders will be admitted through the entry gate one at a time and will proceed into the venue in an orderly fashion, no running allowed.
•Separate numbers are given out for the patron/sponsor gate (“sponsor/patron” will be printed on ticket), same procedure.
Information: Festival at Sandpoint, 208-265-4554