Riverfest Elora



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ACCESSIBILITY

elora accessible

Riverfest Elora is committed to creating an environment that is inclusive of all persons and treats all members of the community in an equitable manner.

Riverfest is committed to providing:

  • Accessible parking (at the Elora Centre for the Arts)
  • Accessible seating (at main stage and, new to 2024, at the Koop Stage — both areas with shade)
  • Clear pathways in and around the festival 
  • Accessible washrooms (adjacent to First Aid, and in the Food Courtyard)
  • Entrance of one support person per paying patron with a disability, with advanced notice (please email accessibility@riverfestelora.com). You do not need to purchase a ticket for the support person.
  • Entrance of service dogs with supporting paperwork
  • 2 daily guided tours of festival stie at select times [See Information Tent (Accessibility Booth) tab for more info]
  • Accessible alternate routes of travel – please inquire at the information booth for details
  • Food vendor ingredients lists available upon request
  • Print materials available in alternate formats
  • See the information booth for accommodations

Riverfest Elora recognizes that we may not foresee or be able to accommodate all needs and we apologize for any inconvenience or difficulties. Thank you for your patience.

For more information or to give us feedback, email us at accessibility@riverfestelora.com

Getting to the Festival

Riverfest Elora is held at Bissell Park at 127 Mill St. in Elora, ON across the street from the Elora Center for the Arts and 2 blocks east from downtown Elora.

Shuttles will be available to and from Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo. Details forthcoming. We are currently exploring accessible busing options.

If you are driving, accessible parking is available at the Elora Centre for the Arts (75 Melville St., Elora, ON). Please consider carpooling when possible.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking is located at the Elora Center for the Arts at 75 Melville St, 140m from the festival entrance (approximately 3 minutes walk, 10m elevation change). There are 2 van-accessible spots in the ECFTA parking lot and 3 spots on the street that will be reserved to those that require accessible accomodations. These will be available on a first come first serve basis.

A parking lot with 3 cars parked. A stone brick building, the Elora Center for the Arts, is behind it.

Elora Center for the Arts Parking Lot

 

Directions to festival: Head southeast on Melville St toward Wellington Rd 18 (head downhill, away from the church).

Arrival

Downhill view of Melville Street. There is a green park and a sign that says “Welcome to Bissell Park” on the left.

View Approching Festival Site from Melville St.

 

Downhill view of the sidewalk that leads to the festival’s entrance. At the bottom, there are black gates forming a chute with people lined up inside.

Festival Entrance

When you arrive: Please note that there is a hill leading down Melville Street into the festival check in area (approximately 5m elevation change).

A white tent covers the festival’s main gate where volunteers and security are checking people into the festival.

Main Gate

A group of volunteers are smiling for the camera while they work at a table checking people into the festival. The volunteer on the left raises her Riverfest mug in the air.

Front Gate Crew

If you plan on purchasing alcohol, please show your ID to security at the gate to get your age verification wristband.

Under a white tent, a volunteer is putting an age-verification wristband on a patron.

Patron reciving Festival Wristband

Please empty any beverage containers you may have before entering, you will be asked to do so at the gate. There is a water tank available to refill your water bottle for free. All bags will be searched at the entrance.

Under a white tent, volunteers and security are checking people into the festival. The volunteers are wearing orange bandanas and the security team are wearing red shirts that say “security” on the back.

 Patron Entering Festival Site

Site Info

The site map. The Grand River runs across the top of the map, and East Mill Street across the bottom. Union Street is on the left, and Melville Street is on the right. From left to right, the major landmarks indicated are The Grasslands Stage, the Boardwalk Tent, the Food Courtyard, the Main Stage, the Koop Stage, Free Water, Artisan Alley, Merch, the Bar, and the Main Gate.

Site Map

The main field of Bissell Park filled with people. The Main Stage is in the background, to the left, and trees are to the right.

Festival site view from entrance

A paved path filled with people. There are gates on either side of the path. A giant chess board is behind the gates on the right.

Festival site view from Backstage Gate

A packed crowd of people standing in front of the Main Stage during a performance.

Main Stage

Many people sitting on lawn chairs in the field at Bissell Park. The sun is setting and fairy lights are beginning to shine in the background.

Main stage seated area

A band performing on the Grasslands Stage with a crowd of people in front.

Grasslands Stage

A crowd of people standing in front of the Grasslands Stage. Tents and trees are visible in the background.

Audience at Grasslands stage

 

A group of people seated in a circle on the grass under the Boardwalk Tent. The tent has red and white stripes. The boardwalk is to the right and is filled with people.

Boardwalk Tent

 

A view of the food vendor area. A few people are in front of the Salsateria booth. To the right, there is a sign that says “Pizza Fire Truck” with an arrow pointing left.

Food Vendor Area

A view of the artisan vendor area. People are browsing at a row of booths covered by white tents. Clothing, jewelery, and other goods are on display. A sign that says “Vintage” is in front of one of the booths.

Artisan Vendor Area


People lining up between gates for the bar. The service area is covered by a white tent, and there are two signs that say “Bar” across the top.
Main Bar

A couple of customers paying for merchandise at the Merch tent. Three volunteers wearing orange bandanas are helping them from across the table.

Merch Tent

A young child is riding on a man’s shoulders while a woman walks beside them. They are walking through the forest on the boardwalk. There are railings on either side of the boardwalk.

Boardwalk

A view of the path after the festival entrance. The volunteer area is behind a gate on the left, with a few white tents inside. Trees are in the background.

Volunteer Area

A blue metal cart equipped with various taps which serves as the free water station. A sign on the front that says “Riverfest is 100% packaged water free! Reusable water bottles only!” and “saveourwater.ca”. It is under a blue and white tent.

 Water Station

People standing in the raised VIP viewing area. There are banners that say “102.1 The Edge” across the front fence of the area.

VIP Area


New this year: 

Information/Accessibility booth, located across from Merch. At various points in the festival, this area will also act as a signing area for artists to sign merchandise.

 

 

Plain Text Schedule for Easy Reading

DOWNLOAD “Riverfest Elora 2024 Plain Text Performance Schedule” PDF

Riverfest Elora 2024  Performance Schedule

Friday August 16
3:00pm: Gates open

Main Stage
5:45pm: Peter Piper
6:00pm: Nyssa
7:35pm: Bully
9:40pm: Violent Femmes

Koop Tent
3:30pm: Rivercital
6:45pm: Thunder Queens
8:40pm: Naduh

Grasslands Stage
6:45pm: Nix and Menno (of Hollerado)
8:40pm: Treble Charger

Boardwalk Tent
8:00pm: Private Club

Friday After Party at Elora Legion (Upstairs)
11:00pm: Doors open
11:20pm: The Kewpie Dolls
12:30am: The Flamingos
Pay $20 plus taxes and fees in advance, more tickets available at  door.

Friday After Party at Elora Legion (Downstairs)
11:00pm: Doors open
11:30pm: Elvis Punkley
Pay $15 at the door. No advance tickets.

Friday After Party at Elora Brewing Company
11:00pm: Doors open
11:20pm: Habit
12:20am: Family Man
Pay $20 plus taxes and fees in advance, more tickets available at  the door.

 

Saturday August 17
1:30pm: Gates open

Main Stage
2:00pm: Peter Piper
2:20pm: Amanda Braam
4:00pm: Una Mia
5:40pm: Chali 2NA and Cut Chemist
7:20pm: Sudan Archives
9:30pm: Fleet Foxes

Koop Tent
3:10pm: Painting Pelicans
4:50pm: Motherhood
6:30pm: Population 2
8:25pm: Ombiigizi

Grasslands Stage
1:50pm to 2:40pm: Yoga with Tania and Grace
3:10pm: Luella
4:50pm: Alex Nicol
6:20pm: River Wedding!
6:30pm: The Creepshow
8:25pm: Moneen

Boardwalk Tent
2:30pm: Paddling Puppeteers
4:00pm: Adrian Jones and His Bag O’ Ukes
5:15pm: Camp Riverfest
6:30pm: Elaquent
7:45pm: DJ Alias


Saturday After Party at Elora Legion (Upstairs)
11:00pm: Doors open
11:20pm: Sunshine Makers
12:30am: illScarlett
Pay $30 plus taxes and fees in advance, more tickets available at  the door.

Saturday After Party at Elora Legion (Downstairs)
11:00pm: Doors open
11:30pm: Ian James Bain
Pay $15 at the door. No advance tickets.

Saturday After Party at Elora Brewing Company
11:00pm: Doors open
11:20pm: Irresponsible Purchase
12:15am: Tell it to Sweeney
Pay $20 plus taxes and fees in advance, more available at the  door.

Sunday August 18
1:30pm: Gates open

Main Stage
2:00pm: Peter Piper
2:10pm: Kat Steeves
3:30pm: Mariel Buckley
5:10pm: Wild Rivers
6:50pm: Corb Lund
8:30pm: Josh Ross

Koop Tent
2:50pm: The Red River Ramblers
4:20pm: The Fellow Camper Country Dance Band
6:00pm: Nicolette and the Nobodies
7:40pm: Raygun Cowboys

Grasslands Stage
1:50pm to 2:30pm: Yoga with Tania and Grace
2:50pm: Sister Ray
4:20pm: Quote the Raven
6:00pm: Willi Carlisle
7:40pm: Sarah Shook and the Disarmers

Boardwalk Tent
2:30pm: Adrian Jones and His Big Bag O’ Ukes
3:45pm: Paddling Puppeteers
5:00pm: The Boo Radley Project’s Karaoke Live!
7:00pm: DJ Barry Spritzer

 

Sunday Wrap Party at Elora Legion (Upstairs)
10:00pm: Doors open
10:45pm: The Free Label
Pay $15 at the door. No advance tickets. Free for volunteers.

Information Tent (Accessibility Booth)

Our new Information Booth this year will also serve as our Accessibility Booth. Please inquire here if you have any questions or if you need accommodations.

Ask here about:

  • Accessible alternate routes of travel
  • Accessible viewing areas
  • Food vendor ingredients lists
  • Guide Tours*
  • Anything else you might need

We will have various items available here for accessibility purposes. Please be respectful of borrowed items. 

  • Wheelchairs for personal use. We are unable to offer push service at this time and apologize for any inconvenience.
  • Earplugs
  • Noise-canceling headphones, child sized only. Please request these only if your child needs them for accessibility reasons
  • Magnifying glass
  • Communication cards specially made for Riverfest
  • Pen and paper for written communication
  • Lights for mobility devices

*Guided Tours

For those that feel more comfortable having someone show them around, or those that need a sighted guide, we will be offering tours at select times. Please note, sighted guide services are available for tours only.

Tours will start at the information Tent.

Friday: 4pm and 7pm
Saturday and Sunday: 3pm and 6pm

After Party Venue Guides

The Legion, Upstairs and Downstairs

Located at 110 Metcalfe St. 

Website: eloralegion.ca 

Accessible entrances and washrooms are available at both venues.

Legion Upstairs: the accessible entrance is located on James St, around the corner from the main entrance, and is locked but not monitored. Please ask for assistance at the main entrance and someone will let you in.

 

Stairs leading up to the front entrance of the Legion Upstairs. There are 6 steps, and 3 railings going up the steps. A set of double glass doors is at the top.

Legion Upstairs Entrance

The glass door for the accessible entrance to the Legion Upstairs.

Legion Upstairs Accessible Entrance

A long and straight ramp leading up along a hallway. There are railings on either side of the ramp. This is the accessible entrance for the Legion Upstairs.

Legion Accessibility Access to Upstairs

The inside of the Legion upstairs. The hall is filled with tables and chairs but unoccupied. Along the right wall, from back to front, there is the bar, the stage, the door for the accessible entrance, and the door to the accessible washroom. A small disco ball hangs from the ceiling.

Legion Upstairs (Inside)

The entrance to the Legion Downstairs. It has a glass door. The sidewalk to the right begins to incline and there is a railing along the slope.

Legion Downstairs Entrance

 

The inside of the Legion Downstairs. The hall is filled with tables and chairs but unoccupied. On the left wall, there is a large plaque that says “Lest we forget” and has photos of veterans, along with several picture frames with more photos.

Legion Downstairs (Inside)

Getting there from the festival: 

Via Melville and Church (approximately 8 minutes walk, 550m): 

  1. Head northwest on Melville St. (head uphill, towards the church). 
  2. Turn left onto Church Square, continue onto Church Street.
  3. Turn right onto Wellington Rd 18 (it will be the 3rd street, pass Princess St and Geddes St.).
  4. Destination will be on the left.

Via Wellinton Rd 18 (approximately 9 minutes walk, 600m):

  1. Head northwest on Melville St. (head uphill)
  2. Turn left onto Wellington Rd 18
  3. Turn right to stay on Wellington Rd 18
  4. Destination will be on the left.

Google Maps link 

Elora Brewing Co. 

Located at 107 Geddes St.

Website: elorabrewingcompany.ca 

Accessible entrance and washroom.

There is a 2nd floor loft with stairs leading up to it which may present a barrier.

 

The entrance to the Elora Brewing Company. The storefront consists of large windows and a glass door, with wood paneling above. The company name and 107 Geddes are displayed on the wood.

Elora Brewing Company Entrance

The inside of the Elora Brewing Company. The wooden floors and stone walls give it a rustic feel. There is a bar with stools on the right. To the right of the bar, there is a staircase with railings leading up to the loft above

Elora Brewing Company (Inside)

Wooden stairs with railings leading up to the loft, viewed from the landing in front. There are 15 steps, and a few more leading on to the landing.

Stairs at Elora Brewing Company

 

The loft at the Elora Brewing Company. There are wooden tables with black chairs, and warm lighting.

Upstairs at Elora Brewing Comapny

Getting there from the festival:

Via Melville and Church (approximately 7 minutes walk, 500m): 

  1. Head northwest on Melville St. (head uphill, towards the church). 
  2. Turn left onto Church Square, continue onto Church Street.
  3. Turn right onto Geddes St.

Destination will be on the right (at the end of the road).

Via Wellington Rd 18 and Geddes St (approximately 8 minutes walk, 500m):

  1. Head northwest on Melville St. (head uphill)
  2. Turn left onto Wellington Rd 18.
  3. Turn right onto Geddes St.

Destination will be on the right (at the end of the road).

Google Maps link

Visiting the Office

Riverfest Elora is located on the second floor of the Elora Centre for the Arts (75 Melville St., Elora ON). We are typically here 10pm to 4pm Monday to Friday but please touch base in advance to make sure someone is here to greet you.

The front of the Elora Center for the Arts. It is a stone brick building with a wood sign in front. There is a colourful art piece of water and trees displayed on the front.

Elora Center for the Arts

If you need to visit the office, please note that there is a flight of stairs leading up to it, so it may not be accessible to all. Let us know if you need alternate arrangements and we would be happy to meet where you are able. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The stairs leading up to the Riverfest office. There are railings on either side of the 16 steps, then a landing at the top.

Stairs at Elora Center for the Arts

The rest of the stairs leading up to the Riverfest office, after the landing. There are railings on either side of the 6 steps.

Stairs at Elora Center for the Arts

The inside of the Riverfest office. It is an open room with various tables, desks, chairs, and couches inside. Someone is working at a computer. Along the back wall there are Riverfest posters from previous years.

Riverfest Elora Office

Accommodations We Cannot Provide

We aim to do our best to accommodate as many accessibility needs as we can, but unfortunately, not everything we want to provide is possible at this time. We will do our best  to keep improving as we learn what our community needs. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

We do not have an accessibility volunteer team this year but that is our goal for future years. 

If you have any information that would help us provide these accommodations in the future, please let us know at accessibility@riverfestelora.com

We are currently unable to provide:

  • Accessible shuttles – barrier free
  • Designated accessible viewing area for Grasslands Stage (We hope to have this arranged for 2025)
  • ASL translation
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Push service for wheelchair users
  • Quiet area