Everything you need to know about the Festival at Sandpoint

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

The Festival at Sandpoint is back for its 38th season. Whether you’re new to the Festival or you’ve been attending since the beginning, this year brings several important changes to the annual concert series. What follows is a simple guide to everything you need to know to enjoy the Festival in style this year. For those about to rock, we salute you.

• No glass. As in previous years, coolers are allowed — as is bringing in your own food and drinks. But no glass bottles will be allowed inside the venue, with the exception of wine bottles and growlers. 

• Contactless ordering. There will be no in-person ordering inside the Festival. This includes food, beverage, merchandise, chair rentals and more. All purchases will be transacted via the Noble App. To access the Noble App for free, download GetNoble from the App Store or visit order.getnoble.co/venue/168. Click on the Festival at Sandpoint’s venue and start browsing food and beverage vendors, menus and more. Once you have decided on your items, checkout and kick back. The vendors will send you a notification when your food is ready. Then head to the vendor’s tent, show them your order number, get your items and enjoy.

Members of the Festival at Sandpoint’s Green Team, the dedicated group of volunteers who make sure the music festival is as green as can be. Photo by Ben Olson.

• Line standing. Some die-hard fans will get to the concert ridiculously early, but please refrain from coming before 6 a.m. the day of the show. The box office at Memorial Field opens one hour before the gates each day. Be sure to enter the correct line for general admission or early entry (ask a gate attendant or the box office if you’re unsure where to stand in line).

• Seating. Seating is general admission on the lawn and in the grandstands, available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are reserved first-come, first-served sections for sponsors. The field is wheelchair accessible with designated seating in the grandstands — check with front gate staff at least 20 minutes prior to gates for an escort. If you need assistance or extra time to enter the venue, please call the Festival office for handicap seating information.

• Lawn chairs. Chairs with back legs four inches or less (sometimes called “sand chairs,” with back rests not higher than shoulder length) are allowed in the blanket seating area. Higher lawn chairs (standard) are allowed behind blanket seating. Bring your own chairs or rent at the venue for $5 each through the Noble App.

• Stand, dance or sit. People love to dance, so choose where to sit depending on what you expect from your fellow concert goers. If you don’t like people standing up or dancing near you, consider choosing a spot set back from the stage with good sight lines (like the grandstands). Due to COVID-19, the Festival will not be having any dance concerts this year. Please do not push forward or invade other guest’s social distancing.

• Security and prohibited items. Per performers’ contracts, there will be security checkpoints at all entrances. The security staff aims to get concert goers through quickly, so the less you bring, the faster the process. As already noted, there will be no glass allowed inside other than wine bottles and growlers. Dogs and pets are not allowed inside the venue. If you have a service dog, please call the Festival office for details about admittance. 

Weapons are not allowed inside the venue, including guns, ammo, pepper spray, mace, etc. This includes off-duty law enforcement or individuals with concealed carry permits. Prior to check-in, please ensure you do not have any weapons on you, in your bags or concealed. 

No drugs or drug paraphernalia will be allowed inside, including cannabis and cannabis products. 

No flammables are allowed, including fireworks, explosives or road flares. Cigarettes are only allowed in the designated smoking area and never on the artificial turf. There will be no personal vehicles allowed inside, including bikes, skates, scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, Segways, electric scooters, etc. Personal mobility devices for ADA guests are allowed. 

No tents are allowed, neither are toy guns, water guns or sling shots. 

• Safety and fun. The Festival at Sandpoint is committed to creating a safe, comfortable and fun experience for every one of its guests. Some actions may lead to a removal from the venue, including irresponsible or unsafe use of alcohol; accessing restricted areas without proper credentials; taunting, abusive or offensive language; obscene or offensive gestures through imagery or symbolism, including banners, signs and other means of visual propaganda; urination or defecation outside of a public restroom; fighting or engaging in any action that may harm, endanger, threaten or bring discomfort to anyone; damage, destruction, vandalism or theft of any property; participating in activity that humiliates anyone or insults their human dignity; fraudulently claiming a disability or abusing ADA services.

For more information about the Festival at Sandpoint’s guidelines, visit festivalatsandpoint.com, or call the office at 208-265-4554.