ACCESSIBILITY
Our festivals are committed to making the events accessible to everyone. The festival is held outdoors. There are sometimes great distances between stages. There will be a special viewing area at the main stages for those with mobility limitations. An Access Center will be set up next to the Info Booth at each festival entrance to assist at the event. The Access Centers are staffed continuously by professionally trained staff who can answer all questions.
- Seated ADA viewing platforms-See below for more details
- ADA Accessible restrooms
- Private ADA personal hygiene area
- Mobility-device charging and storage
- Chilled medication storage (ice chest only)
- Hydration
- Family services (changing/feeding)
- Event Information (also in Braille and large print as requested)
- American Sign Language Interpreters (select sets based on requests)
- A place to sit and relax and escape the elements as needed
When you enter the festival grounds, visit the access center to obtain a wristband allowing access to the dedicated viewing area. All passes to the festival are general admission or VIP, purchasing an accessible ticket is not necessary. The Accessible Viewing Areas are located in GA sections.
The wristband does NOT guarantee a spot in these areas and is to show Festival staff that the patron plus one companion is eligible to enter the accessible viewing areas or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferrable. Please note that the viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Chairs will be provided on the accessible viewing platform. We cannot save or reserve seats or areas on the platform. Once it’s determined that an accessible viewing area is filled to capacity (including adequate aisle space for entering and exiting the area), the area will not be available for additional entry.
Signage will be placed at the Festival identifying all viewing areas for fans with mobility limitations and fans who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Please visit the Access Center for a map of the festival grounds.
GoldenSky is a general admission event with no assigned seating and does not allow lawn chairs due to capacity restraints. Exceptions can only be made for a medical necessity. Please email access@goldenskyfestival.com to make this request.
Fans that are Deaf/Hard of Hearing can request a a Deaf/HoH wristband at the Access Center. This wristband is to show Festival staff that the patron plus ONE companion is eligible to enter the ASL viewing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferrable.
If you would like to request an ASL Interpreter, please fill out the request form HERE. Please make your requests as early as possible, so our ASL Interpreters can best prepare. The ASL Interpreter request form will close one month prior to the festival. Note: while we will do our best to accommodate all ASL set requests, the earlier the request is made, the easier it will be for us to accommodate. Note, all Interpreter requests will not be guaranteed, and are subject to change.
The Festival is wheelchair accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and attractions. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud. Please be safe, we will have staff on hand at the Accessibility Center to direct you to the best route to stages, platforms, and activations.
The Festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or push services within the festival grounds, and do not have any kind of wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by fans with mobility disabilities. For safety reasons, please note that guests may not use personal golf carts, all terrain vehicles, two wheeled scooters, or power driven mobility devices that move faster than a walking speed.
Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Fans should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.
Accessible portable toilets are available at the ends of each bank of portable toilets throughout the festival venue.
GoldenSky welcomes and supports the rights and attendance of all persons with disabilities that rely on the special skills of a trained service animal.
What we DO NOT support are pets being misrepresented by their owners as service animals. Please leave your pet at home.
SERVICE ANIMAL DEFINITION
A ‘service animal’ is defined as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability.”
Emotional support, therapy animals, or comfort animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and therefore are not allowed inside of the venue at our festivals.
SERVICE ANIMAL POLICIES
-Service animals must be accompanied and under the supervision of the handler with the disability at all times.
-Service animals are not permitted to be left unattended under any circumstances.
-Handlers are required to be prepared for, and clean-up after, their animals at all times.
-We reserve the right to remove and/or refuse access to any service animal from the campgrounds or venue if that animal is deemed to be a health or safety threat to festival fans, staff, or other service animals, or in violation of our policies.
All service animals must be credentialed by the Access Program staff (see the procedures below).
Please note that all service dogs, including those from out of state must provide proof of rabies vaccination.
SERVICE ANIMAL PROCEDURES
Upon entering the security checkpoint, you must let the guard know that they need to call ADA on the radio to come register your service animal. All service animals must be checked in by our Accessibility Staff and given the proper credentials before stepping foot into the venue. This process will be performed quickly and respectfully by Accessibility Staff. Security/Staff will be on the lookout for all animals to have a properly credentialed festival collar tag.
Outside food and drink are not allowed inside the festival, but if you have a special medical dietary restriction, enough food for the one person for the day will be allowed. Fans are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the festival, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the fan’s name. Medicines needing to be inhaled or smoked are prohibited unless in a prescribed inhaler. Please note: Drugs of any kind (incl. cannabis, cannabis products) are prohibited.
Staff at the entry gates will verify the contents of any medically necessary materials. Out of concern for the festival staff who handle the trash, please dispose of your medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal, which is located at the medical tent. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the festival. Please direct any further questions to access@goldenskyfestival.com.
Limited parking for patrons with disabilities will be available at the event. Patrons with proper ADA vehicle credentials will be directed to park in the Boaters Lot near the Jibboom Street festival entrance. Please follow the signage and the direction of festival staff and police to access this parking area. ADA parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must have a valid state issued Disabled Person Parking placard, permit or license plate-as well as proof it belongs to you for entry into the ADA Parking Lot.
