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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have done our best to compile the most frequently asked questions for your information. If you cant find the answer to your query, please contact our offices.
For music program enquiries, please email pfff@portfairyfolkfestival.com.
For all other enquiries, please email pfff@hotkey.net.au.
WHERE
DATES
TICKETS
PROGRAM
ACCOMMODATION
AT THE FESTIVAL
PERFORMING AT THE FESTIVAL
(includes busking)
VOLUNTEERING AT THE FESTIVAL
CRAFT STALL HOLDERS
FOOD VENDORS
AUDIO & LIGHTING PRODUCTION
MEDIA
WHERE
Where is Port Fairy?
Port Fairy is in southwest Victoria, about three and a half hours drive from Melbourne. Port Fairy is on the Princes Highway and is 20 minutes from Warrnambool, the closest regional centre.
DATES
When is the next festival?
11 14 March 2011
When will future festivals be held?
The Festival is always on the Victorian Labour Day Weekend, which concludes with the Labour Day holiday on the second Monday of March.
9 12 March 2012
8 11 March 2013
TICKETS
How do I buy a ticket and when do they go on sale?
Join our mailing list to receive a ticket purchase brochure in the mail. Send your postal (not email) details to pfff@hotkey.net.au.
Tickets are sold to the mail list FIRST.
Tickets are sold on a first inbest dressed basis.
If you bought a ticket (from the Festival) with a ticket brochure in the last three years, your name will still be on the mailing list.
How much are the tickets?
How can I pay for my ticket?
You can use MasterCard, Visa, cheque or money order made out to Port Fairy Folk Festival Committee Inc. If you are purchasing youth and childrens tickets on arrival, you may also use EFTPOS.
Can I buy a day ticket?
No. All tickets are four-day passes
Do tickets to the Festival sell out?
Yes. Adult tickets sell out each year and you are advised to purchase your ticket as early as possible.
Can I purchase extra youth and children's tickets?
Yes. An adult ticket holder can purchase youth and childrens tickets either before (with the brochure or over the phone after 2 January) or at the Festival on arrival. Your accompanying youth and children need to be with you to collect their tickets.
Can I buy a ticket over the phone?
Yes, after Nov 30 - The ticket office phone number is 03 5568 2227. The office hours are 123pm on week days.
Ive lost/forgotten my ticket.
Lost and forgotten tickets will not be replaced.
My tickets were stolen.
Stolen tickets will not be replaced.
Where do I pick up my ticket/exchange my paper ticket for a wristband?
Bring your paper ticket to the Ticket Exchange in the Reardon Theatre on Bank Street. The Ticket Exchange is open on Friday 9.00am until midnight and on Saturday from 9.00am until 2.00pm. After 2.00pm on Saturday, tickets can be collected from the Performer Reception (Southcombe Park Sports Centre), Campbell Street, until 1.00am on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Yes, you will need to show proof of age when exchanging your paper ticket for your wristband.
My plans have changed. Will you refund my ticket?
No refunds or exchanges are available. Try selling your ticket on the independent Ticket Exchange, where tickets are bought and sold at cost price: www.port-fairy.com.
I sent back my ticket order form, but I don't have my tickets yet.
Please allow 15 working days for your return mail. Please call the ticket office on 03 5568 2227 after that time if your tickets have not
arrived.
Is there an early bird discount?
No.
Are there any concessions on tickets?
There are no Seniors, tertiary student or Health Care Card concessions. A youth ticket is available for those 17 years old and under.
I need to bring a carer to assist me.
The Festival supports Companion Card. Please enquire with the Festival Office.
What are the ages for youth and children's tickets?
Youth: must be under 18 on the last day of the Festival.
Child: must be 12 or under on the last day of the Festival.
Children 9 years and under receive a free ticket on arrival with their accompanying adult ticket holder.
PROGRAM
When is the list of artists announced?
The official date varies each year, but generally coincides with the ticket sales opening, around the second week of November. Keep an eye on the website for sneak peaks
Whos playing this year?
Go to The Festival in the menu and Artists in the submenu for a full list.
When is the schedule of performances announced?
The full program of events is posted on the website by the end of February.
Can I get my program book before the Festival?
No. They are only available when you collect your ticket. The website contains most of the information about artists
and performance times.
When do the concerts start and finish?
The first shows on Friday begin at 5.30pm and finish at 12.30am; Saturday and Sunday, 9.00am until 12.30am; and Monday, 9.00am until 2.00pm. These are the first show and last show times; not all stages run all of the time. Please see the detailed program for further details. It is posted in February.
ACCOMMODATION
Is there festival camping?
Camping is not included in the ticket and the Festival does not offer ticket and camping packages. The Southcombe Caravan Park (adjacent to the festival site) offers camping only to ticket holders. You need to purchase your ticket first as they will require your ticket number.
Camping is available at many other camping grounds in Port Fairy. See the accommodation page on the website (in the Contacts menu) or contact the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre.
Where can I stay?
There are a lot of options in town, but you need to make enquiries and bookings early. Contact the Visitor Information Centre for help.
Can I sleep in my car?
Moyne Shire Local Laws Officers are in attendance on the festival weekend. A Camping Ban is in place, prohibiting camping in the streets and reserves of Port Fairy. This includes sleeping in vehicles unless in a designated camping area. Offenders will be liable for on-the-spot fines.
AT THE FESTIVAL
Where is it held?
The main music program is held in the Festival Arena (Southcombe Park), Campbell Street, Port Fairy. There are various venues around the town in churches, halls and clubs. There are three market areas; Sackville Street, Railway Place and Glaxo Green (both on Bank Street).
What goes on at the Festival?
The festival program includes music: 20 international acts and approximately 80 national acts performing folk, acoustic roots, blues, jazz, world, country roots and bluegrass. There is also comedy, spoken word, a Childrens Festival, street performers and a Fringe Festival, plus craft and market stalls, workshops, and one of the best exhibitions of Australian made, hand-crafted musical instruments.
When do the gates open?
Gates open on Friday at 5.00pm and at 8.30am Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Where can I park?
If you are staying in town, please consider walking to the Festival, or taking our Music Shuttle Bus that does circuits of town between 8.00am and 11.30pm for a gold coin donation. See the map (LINK TO FEST MAP) for the circuit.
There is a car park on the corner of James and Campbell Streets; a fee is required and the spaces fill quickly.
There is the usual parking on the streets of town, but please observe all signs, road closures, etc.
Can I leave the Festival Arena and come back in?
You certainly can, a festival wristband allows you to come and go as you please all weekend. Take the time to explore, see the street
performers, markets and the venues around town.
What should I wear?
Weather in March is unpredictable, so pack for all seasons! Port Fairy weather can range from hot and sunny (over 30 degrees celsius) to cold, wet and windy, as you might imagine in a seaside town. Shoes must be worn in the Festival Arena.
What kind of seating is in the venues?
Main concert venues do not have seating installed, except for some in Stage 3 and limited tiered seating in Stages 1, 2 and 3. Most have grassed surfaces and patrons usually bring the lowest height beach chairs and rugs to sit on. It is essential that everyone respect their neighbour by arranging seating in a way that is fair to all. All of the audience should be able to see the stage and as many as possible should be able to fit into the popular concerts.
Chairs: Low, ground-level beach chairs and rugs may be used in the front section of the venue. Higher beach chairs, e.g. those with seats 35cm off the ground, must be placed at the sides or to the rear.
Can I bring my dog?
Pets of any kind are not allowed on the festival site with the exception of guide dogs. There are several commercial kennels close by
if you need to bring your pet to town for the weekend.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, certainly, but not alcohol. If you also bring your own crockery and cutlery, you may use our dishwashing facilities in the Festival
Arena between Stage 3 and Lighthouse Cafι, and at the rear of Stage 5.
Can I buy food at the Festival?
The Festival Arena has an excellent range of food for you to choose from.
Is there a craft market this year?
Yes, there is a selection of craft stalls in the Festival Arena, as well as on Sackville Street, on Railway Place and Glaxo Green (both on
Bank Street).
Can I bring my camera?
Yes, you may bring a camera, however, audio or video recording of concerts and workshops is not permitted.
What services are available for people with a disability?
The Festival is a One & All accessible event and provides facilities for people with a disability. There is wheelchair access to all venues in the Festival Arena, Fiddlers Green, Railway Green and the Reardon Theatre.
Disabled persons parking is via the Atkinson Street entrance.
Wheelchair accessible portable toilets are located within the Shebeen and at each of the public toilet locations in the Festival Arena.
The Music Shuttle Bus is a low floor, wheelchair accessible vehicle.
Several venues will have a Hearing Loop in place. Please see the Help section in the festival program book for details, and look for signage in the venues where the loop is in place.
How can I get to the Festival on public transport?
>From Melbourne, you can take a VLine train to Warrnambool and a connecting bus to Port Fairy. Please contact VLine for details.
Is there an ATM on site?
No, but there are ATMs on Sackville St at IGA supermarket, ANZ bank, Commonwealth Street, and at the Star of the West Hotel (corner Sackville and Bank Streets).
PERFORMING AT THE FESTIVAL
Can I busk?
Buskers are not booked by the Festival. There is no buskers competition.
There is no busking allowed in the Festival Arena.
If you wish to busk in town you will need a permit from the Moyne Shire.Buskers must obtain a permit and perform only in designated area as shown on the application form. Preferably apply & submit form in advance by 5pm of the day before the festival starts. Forms can be obtained from Performers Check-In from Friday afternoon
Buskers Application Form
Is there a blackboard/open stage?
Check the program for exact details. A blackboard stage runs alongside Fiddlers Green stage in between acts on Saturday and Sunday. Book your spot on the day with the Open Stage Manager.
How do I apply to perform?
Each year the Festival accepts applications via an online system on the website. Applications open 1 June and close 31 July, unless otherwise stated on the Applications page of the website.
I've made an application but haven't heard anything back. Whats going
on?
As indicated in the application guide, we do not undertake to routinely respond to all applications due to the limitations of our staff and
volume of applications. All successful applicants will be notified by the end of October.
VOLUNTEERING AT THE FESTIVAL
How do I become a volunteer?
Contact our main office if you would like information about volunteering at the Festival.
Some work is done prior to the Festival or after, but most is done over the weekend. Volunteers can be venue assistants, work in ticketing, construction, work with performers, or work on the MC and stage manager team. If you have MC or stage managing experience, please contact the program office pfff@portfairyfolkfestival.com
instead of the main office.
Do I get a free ticket for volunteering?
Volunteers who contribute around 12 hours of work (depending on the job and the area) are entitled to a free ticket.
CRAFT STALL HOLDERS
I would like to have a craft stall at the Festival, how do I arrange that?
Contact our main office with your postal details and ask to go on the mailing list for stall applications. These are sent out each year in November.
FOOD VENDORS
I would like to bring my food stall to the Festival, how do I arrange that?
Any expressions of interest to attend the Festival need to be sent in writing to Rebecca McCullough, Food Stall Coordinator, PO Box 176, Port Fairy 3284. Applications should include stall details (dimensions, power requirements, previous experience at festivals, menus and photographs) and contact details. The Festival Committee decides on food vendors to attend the Festival prior to Christmas each year with all applicants notified.
AUDIO& LIGHTING PRODUCTION
I would like to supply audio/lighting/staging equipment for the Festival. Who do I talk to?
Please contact the festival Production Manager, Brian Cavagnino, production@portfairyfolkfestival.com
MEDIA
I am a journalist/photographer and I would like to cover the Festival.
Can I get accreditation?
Please contact our media manager, Adam Pearce, for details:
adampearce@aapt.net.au
Can I get a media kit?
Media materials are available on the festival website. Look in the News
& Media menu option.
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