Frequently Asked Questions/Festival Policies – 2025

Parking is operated by and benefits the Liberty Bell High School Booster Club

No overnight parking for non campers in day-use general parking

Prices:

• Friday: Included with Friday show purchase or weekend pass
• Saturday: $15
• Sunday: $15
• Weekend: $25

➡️ To purchase parking, visit Ticket Tomato HERE

Camping areas allow one vehicle per site

• If your group has a second vehicle, you purchase a Weekend Camp Parking Pass and park in the designated area in general lot

Music begins Friday 6:30 pm, Sat/Sun 11 am

Infield Entry  Gates close nightly at music’s end

• Friday, South Gate 10 am, North Gate Noon
• Sat/Sun South Gate 10 am, North Gate 10 am
• Gates close nightly at music’s end

Thursday Access

• Is for Camping only and only if a Thursday Add-On has been purchased.

• Once you’ve received your wristband, you’re free to come and go during the day
• No driving in camping area after dark.
• Vehicles arriving after sunset park in general parking until morning. Safety first!

Camping is a big part of the festival experience!

Whether you’re in a tent, RV, or van, we’ve got space for you — with beautiful views, a great community vibe, and close access to the festival grounds.

➡️ For all the details (check-in times, camping options, RV info, and more), please visit our full Camping Info Page HERE

Operated by Methow Rafting — shuttle runs Thursday through Sunday and picks up/drops off at the festival front gate.Schedule:

• Thursday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Friday: 1:00 PM – 1:30 AM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:30 AM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM

Rates:

• $33 Weekend Pass (within Winthrop city limits)
• $7 One Way
• $12 Round Trip
• $40 Twin Lakes Weekend Pass (arranged directly with driver via text)

➡️ New this year – purchase shuttle pass in advance HERE

Text/Call: (509) 866-6775 (text preferred)
Text for shuttle status, pickup requests, or questions — especially earlier in the day or late at night, when service may be more sporadic.

Please note:
Shuttle consistency ebbs and flows based on demand throughout the day. Texting ahead is the best way to ensure a timely pickup.

Pickup Locations:

• Winthrop Barn
• Old Schoolhouse Brewery
• Pine Near RV Park
• Methow Valley Thriftway
• KOA

You can also flag down a shuttle vehicle if you’re near these locations — if it’s safe, they’ll stop for you!

Food Vendors

• Located at the South Entrance
• Thursday: 4 PM – 10 PM
• Friday–Sunday: 10 AM – close

Coffee & Breakfast

• Available at the South Gate
• Friday–Sunday: starting at 6 AM

Craft Vendors

• Located at both gates
• Friday–Sunday: 10 AM – close

Come hungry, grab a beverage, and ready to browse! From local eats to handmade art, there’s something for everyone.

• Low-profile chairs (26″ or shorter) may be used in the designated front seating section
• Taller chairs are welcome but must be placed in the designated high-back area at the rear of the infield
• No personal shade umbrellas—they block views and can become dangerous in the wind
• We provide several communal shade tents (even one for dining!) around the infield—please share the shade with others. The shade space is for everyone to get a bit of shade. Please take your chair/belongings with you when leaving.

• Low-profile chair (or high profile to sit in back)
• Refillable water bottle, open containers must be empty and can be filled with water at the water station outside the beer garden
• Factory sealed NON-ALCOHOLIC beverages ok
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Bug spray, layers for cool nights
• Food/snacks (though we have wonderful food vendors)
• Coolers are allowed
• NOTE: All Coolers, Bags, etc are subject to inspection at infield gate entrances

• No alcohol or cannabis
  • The use of cannabis and outside alcohol is strictly prohibited in all public areas, including the infield and beer garden.
• No illegal substances
• No glass containers
• No personal shade umbrellas—they block views and can become dangerous in the wind
• No firearms
• No ATVs, golf carts, or unauthorized vehicles
• No fireworks, explosives, or accelerants of any kind
• No drones
• No pets anywhere on the property
  • Only service animals trained to assist individuals with disabilities are allowed (see ADA section)

Yes — we have a full beer garden located near the infield, plus two satellite bars to help you beat the lines and stay refreshed!

NOTE: No outside alcohol, cannabis or illegal substances allowed
NO beverages of any kind will be allowed IN or OUT of the Beer Garden starting at 8pm

Main Beer Garden

• Full selection of beer, wine, and more
• Must be 21+ with a valid ID
  • Security will accept US driver’s licenses, state IDs, passports, military ID, Canadian Province issued driver’s license or identification card.
• You’ll receive a 21+ wristband from Event Management Staff at the beer garden entrance → This wristband is valid for all bars the entire weekend

Satellite Bars (Infield)

• Conveniently located inside the infield
• Offer a limited selection compared to the beer garden
• POS-only (card payments only — no cash)
• Must have 21+ wristband.
• 21+ Wristbands are ONLY issued at the Beer Garden entrance and NOT at the Satellite Bars
• Hours:
  • Friday:
    • Satellite Bar South 4 PM – 8 PM
    • Satellite Bar North 4 PM – 8 PM
  • Saturday:
    • Satellite Bar South 10 AM – 8 PM
    • Satellite Bar North 2 PM –  8 PM
  • Sunday:
    • Satellite Bar South 10 AM – 6 PM
    • Satellite Bar North 2 pm – 6 pm

• The festival happens rain or shine
• Expect hot days and cooler nights in mid-July Eastern Washington
• Pack for sun and bring layers for the evenings

• Potable Water Station: Just outside south infield entrance
• Additional refill station located near the beer garden
• Please bring refillable water bottles to stay hydrated and reduce waste

• Portapotties located throughout the festival grounds
• Showers available for campers Friday–Sunday
  • Showers are free this year—but donations are welcome! Every dollar helps us cover costs and keep the water flowing.

  • Starting next year, there’ll be a small fee—so if you’re feelin’ clean and grateful, toss a little love our way!

• If you see a problem with any facilities, please report it to a staff member or volunteer. We will fix it!

• Our venue is a grassy, rocky ranch—wheelchair access is possible, but challenging
• We provide:
  • ADA parking and camping
  • ADA porta potties
  • A designated ADA area in the infield. We don’t provide individual chairs.
• Please have your ADA credentials displayed at all times.
• Contact us with questions:info@winthropbluesfestival.org

Sunday, 9:00–10:00 AM in the Shade Tent

• All levels welcome
• Bring water, sunscreen, and a mat or towel
• Suggested donation: $10

Start your Sunday off grounded and relaxed with gentle movement in the shade.

Stop by our interactive Paint-by-Numbers Mural Booth and add your brushstroke to this evolving piece of community art. Once completed, the Paint-by-Numbers mural will be installed on our new-to-us shower truck—so your brushstroke becomes a lasting part of the festival!

We’ll also have a Kids Tent nearby with creative activities just for children 12 and under — come let them explore and express!

• No outside alcohol in the infield
• No cannabis (use prohibited in all public areas)
• No illegal drugs
• No glass containers
• No drones unless approved in writing by the Winthrop Music Association. Unauthorized drones will be confiscated.
• No ATVs, golf carts, or unauthorized vehicles
• No fireworks, explosives, or accelerants of any kind
• No video or audio recording of concerts without permission from artist
• No distribution of commercial advertisements, or vending without authorization
• No busking
• All bags, coolers, and backpacks are subject to inspection.

Your health and safety are our top priority. If you or someone in your group needs assistance, head to the First Aid Tent, located just inside the Nouth Infield Entrance near the Beer Tent.

Our trained medical team is onsite all weekend and available to help with:

• Heat-related concerns

• Minor injuries (scrapes, bee stings, blisters, etc.)

• General medical assistance

In an emergency: Please alert any festival staff member or volunteer—they will contact medical staff immediately. Cell service can be spotty, so don’t hesitate to wave someone down.

And don’t forget: Stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and take breaks in the shade or misting stations.

• No smoking (cigarettes, cigars, vapes, cannabis) in the infield or beer garden
• Use the Designated Smoking Area for cigarettes only at the far back of the infield
• While we do not restrict smoking, if guests around you are complaining we will ask you to consider not lighting up. We appreciate your cooperation.
• Cannabis may be legal in WA, but public consumption is not—please do not use it on festival grounds

• Disorderly conduct or intoxication may result in removal without refund
• Be kind to your neighbor — no physical or verbal harassment or abuse will be tolerated
• Be cool — please follow the guidelines and directions of the festival management team and its authorized contractors, as well as all posted signage
• Promoter, venue staff, and security reserve the right to deny entry or remove any attendee for safety reasons

• No refunds for delays or disruptions caused by weather, traffic, road closures, or other unforeseen events

The Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival event is a safe and fun event! If you identify anything that needs attention, please report it to Security, On Site Services or the Festival Director. We want to make sure that everyone has a great time and that any issues that come up we can get a handle on. If you see any unsafe concerns like lack of lighting or disruptive behavior, please report it so we can take care of it.

The event is monitored for any high wind warnings or threatening weather. If high winds or threatening weather does come up, event management will address the concerns and make a determination of what actions may need to be put into place.

WMA will provide water stations for patrons to get refills of water.

Are from the end of Beer Garden Stage music until 8 AM.

• During these times:
  • No generators
  • No loud music
  • No outside parties

Please respect your neighbors and limit daytime generator use as well

• Use trash and recycling bins throughout the site
• Pack out what you pack in
• Help out: If you see litter, pick it up and toss it—thank you!

• The Methow River is beautiful but can be dangerous
• There is no lifeguard on duty
• Watch children closely
• Don’t float or swim if you’ve been drinking
• Use the buddy system and watch for currents

• Children 12 and under are free!
• Please register your kids through Ticket Tomato so we can have a cool wristband ready for them
• Check out our Kids Tent with creative activities just for children 12 and under — come let them explore and express!  Located next to our Paint By Numbers Mural Booth on North Vendor row.