FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
When is the Stan Rogers Folk Festival?
The Stan Rogers Folk Festival will take place July 25th-28th in 2024.
Where is the Stan Rogers Folk Festival?
The Stan Rogers Folk Festival takes place in the beautiful seaside community of Canso, which is located Guysborough County. Canso is the most easterly point in mainland Nova Scotia. The festival site is approximately 3.5 hours by car from Halifax and Sydney, along some of the most scenic routes in all of Nova Scotia. Have a look on Google Maps.
What are the hours of the festival?
The main festival gates open at 5pm on Friday, and 9am on both Saturday and Sunday. Mainstage performances taking place 7pm-10:30pm each of the three days. Our Saturday and Sunday daytime shows run concurrently on three daytime stages from 10am until 5pm. Thursday we have a ROAR BACK Concert on the Main Stage starting at 6pm, gates open at 5pm.
Who will be performing at the festival?
To learn more about what artists will be performing at this year’s festival please visit our artists page.
How do I become a vendor?
To inquire about becoming a vendor for the upcoming festival season, visit our vendor page or inquire by emailing or . Make sure to submit your applications early as vendor selection takes place months in advance of the event.
TICKETS
How much are tickets?
The Advance price for a full-weekend pass to the festival is $165 plus tax. For more Advance ticket prices, including single-day passes, please visit our Tickets page.
Please be advised that prices increase at event time for purchases at the gate, so get yours early!
Where can I purchase tickets?
Tickets for Stanfest can be purchased in advance online from our tickets page or over the phone at 1 (888) 544-7826. Tickets can also be bought at the main gate upon arrival at the festival.
Are day passes available?
Yes, single-day passes are available for each of the three festival days, and prices can be found by visiting our tickets page. We can also provide evening-only tickets.
What is the difference between a Day pass and an Evening pass?
Day passes to the festival grant the holder access to ALL daytime and evening shows on the specific day for which the ticket was purchased.
Evening passes grant the holder access to evening/mainstage performances ONLY, on the specific day for which the ticket was purchased. This means the holder has access from 5pm onward.
Is there a child/senior discount?
Any child 12 or younger can enter the festival grounds at no cost. Any individual over 12 can purchase a regular ticket or Volunteer in exchange for weekend admittance.
There is no discount on tickets or camping for senior citizens.
Does my ticket cover the Thursday evening Kick-Off party?
No, the cost of the Thursday kick-off event is separate from the cost of a weekend pass for the festival.
How are tickets delivered?
Tickets bought online can be sent to the purchaser electronically or by mail. Tickets bought over the phone with the festival office will be sent out by mail only or held at Will Call for pick-up on-site, if requested.
What happens if I lose my ticket?
Lost tickets that have been purchased through the festival office can be reprinted for the original purchaser. If a ticket that has been purchased directly through TicketPro is lost, the purchaser will need to contact TicketPro directly at 1 (888) 311-9090.
Can I purchase tickets when I arrive?
Yes, tickets will be available at the gate for purchase upon arrival. Note gate prices are slightly higher than tickets purchased in advance. Some events/evenings may sell out, so we encourage you to plan/buy ahead.
Can I get a refund if I do not use my ticket?
No, tickets sold for our event are non-refundable. This is indicated directly on the front of each ticket.
When can I buy tickets for the next festival?
Ticket and campsite sales for the following year’s festival begin on October 1st.
How do I become a volunteer?
You can learn more about becoming a volunteer with Stanfest by visiting the volunteer page. Any further questions can be directed to staff by calling 1 (888) 554-7826.
ACCOMMODATIONS & TRANSPORTATION
Where is the nearest community?
Our festival is located in the scenic community of Canso, which is part of Guysborough County. The nearest community centre to Canso is Guysborough, NS, approximately 30 minutes driving time away. Next closest would be Antigonish or Port Hawkesbury, approximately 75 minutes drive from Canso.
Where can I find directions to the festival site?
You can find directions to the festival site by visiting our Getting Here page.
Where can I park?
Parking on the festival site is very limited. Only vehicles with parking permits are able to enter the site. This includes those camping, working, performing or delivering items on site. Parking is available throughout the community in marked ares and around the perimeter of the festival site. There are numerous public parking lots within walking distance of the site. If you have accessibility needs, and your vehicle is equipped with provincial accessible parking permit, please contact the festival office to make arrangements.
What accommodations are available in the area?
You can visit our accommodations page for more information about camping on-site and camping, motel/B&B accommodations around the Canso area. For an extended list of local accommodations you can email .
Camping
What is the price of camping?
The full-weekend rate for reserving a campsite in our Acoustic Campground from Friday to Sunday is as follows:
- $80 plus tax for a 20’x20’ Tent site
- $100 plus tax for a 23’x40-50’ RV site
Thursday night camping onsite is available for $30 plus tax, and Wednesday night camping is free.
Are your campsites serviced?
No, all campsites in our Acoustic Campground are unserviced. There are coin-operated showers on site available to all campers and potable water stations. Generators are permitted between the hours of 7am and 10pm only.
What are the dimensions of one campsite?
Each tenting site measures 20’x20’, while each RV site measures 23’x40’. There is a limited supply of 23’x50’ RV sites for larger vehicles.
Only one tent or RV is permitted on each site, with a maximum of four campers per site.
How can I reserve a campsite?
Campsites can be reserved through Ticketpro here or by contacting the festival office. You can call 1 (888) 554-7826, or email to reserve a site.
What am I allowed to do/bring into the campground?
You can review the Rules and Regulations of the on-site Acoustic Campground here.
Can I use a generator?
Generators are permitted for use in the campground between the hours of 7am and 10pm only. If you require a generator for medical reasons, this must be pre-arranged.
How do I check into my campsite?
The entry to the Acoustic Campground is located at the top of Telegraph Street in Canso, NS. By following the signs posted throughout Canso to the festival grounds/campground, you will reach the campground registration building. Here you will present your campground registration card, check-in, and be directed to your campsite.
What washroom facilities are available?
Portable toilets are stationed at various locations throughout the festival site. Washrooms with running water, electricity, and coin-operated showers are located in Area 7 of the Acoustic Campground. These are available to anyone staying within the campground. They are open 7am-12am. There are also facilities available at the Canso Arena, on site.
Is there a place I can dump my RV?
BL Environmental is on site throughout the weekend and offer a service emptying RV wastewater for a small fee.
Who is allowed on my campsite?
Only those who are listed on your campsite registration form are permitted to spend the night on your site. Any festival patron can visit your site throughout the day, from 8am onward. Anyone who is not a registered camper must leave the campground by 6pm.
ONCE YOU’RE HERE
What am I allowed to bring on site?
Bags and backpacks are permitted on site, as well as food, travel mugs, sports bottles, etc. Any non-alcoholic beverages are permitted to be brought on site, however these should be unopened. NO alcohol, drugs, audio/video recorders, or fireworks/firecrackers/open flames are permitted. Festival gate volunteers and event staff/security have the right to search any items brought on site.
Blankets and tarps for sitting to view the shows are acceptable, however should be no larger than 8 by 10 feet.
What are my options if I have a dietary restriction?
Our Food Court on site provides a wide selection of hot and cold food choices. Please feel free to bring your own food with you to eat in our Food Court or at your campsite. Please keep in mind that campfires and charcoal barbecues are not permitted.
If I leave the venue, can I return later?
Yes, once your ticket is scanned at the main gate you will receive a wristband that will allow you admittance onto the festival grounds at any point throughout the day(s) for which you have purchased a ticket.
Can I bring a camera?
Yes, cameras are permitted on site, however radios, tape machines, digital recorders, or any other audio/video recording devices are prohibited. If taking pictures, please do not use a flash, as it is distracting and dangerous for neighbours.
Can I bring chairs?
Yes, Stanfest encourages you to bring your own lawn/folding chairs, as the festival does not provide seating of any kind on the performance fields. Areas for low and high chairs will be designated using signage in front of all of our stages to ensure a fair viewing experience for all. Low chairs can be placed closest to the stage.
Where is the Lost & Found?
The festival’s Lost & Found is located at the Information & Exchange booth at the main entry gate.
Are animals allowed on site?
No animals are permitted on the festival site or within the campground areas, with the exception of registered service animals (see below).
ACCESSIBLE SERVICES
Are the festival grounds accessible to those using wheelchairs/with mobility challenges?
The Festival strives to make our site friendly to patrons with mobility challenges. Numerous bridges have been constructed throughout the site, and accessible washrooms, parking, and seating areas are available. Most of the festival site is flat, grassy or gravelled area, and our staff and volunteers will be eager to assist.
Is there accessible vehicle parking on site?
Yes, limited accessible parking is available on site for those who already possess a government issued accessible parking pass. Copies of this pass can be presented to the festival office prior to the event in exchange for a special festival parking pass that will grant the holder access to accessible parking on site.
Can I bring my service animal?
Yes, service animals are permitted on the festival grounds, as long as they are properly registered and harnessed/identified as service animals.
SOME REMINDERS FROM US
What to Bring
We are happy to share with you our list of essential items:
• Festival ticket!
• A reusable water bottle
• Camping gear – tent, air mattress, sleeping bag, etc.
• Clothes for three seasons – a warm sweater, brimmed hat, and waterproof jacket and footwear are musts. Temperatures can range from highs of 30ºC (85ºF) during the day to lows of single digits (40-50ºF) at night, with high humidity and probability of precipitation.
• Sunscreen, insect repellant
• Toiletries – campgrounds have basic indoor shower facilities as well as portable toilets
• Medical info (if you have any allergies or medical conditions) and extra medication
• Extra cash (limited ATMs & contactless payment)
• Bags for campsite waste – do your best to “pack in, pack out” on festival weekend
• Instruments BUT no electric amplification is permitted in the “Acoustic Campground.”
More information on what is/is not permitted in our campgrounds is available here.
Remember to Recycle
The Stan Rogers Folk Festival aims to be a leader when it comes to waste management. All forks, knives, spoons, plates, food containers, napkins, paper and cups purchased from a vendor on-site at Stanfest should be disposed of in the barrel labelled “organics.” All food waste is also placed in this barrel.
Our waste barrels have been color coded so it is easier to understand our system.
• Blue Barrels – Recyclables such as pop and water bottles, juice and milk cartons, glass bottles, tin cans.
• Green Barrels – Organics such as food waste AND biodegradable food containers and utensils, tea bags, paper packaging, wooden stir sticks.
• Brown Barrels – Garbage such as food wares and packaging, aluminium foil, plastic packages, bottle caps, and styrofoam.
On-Site For Your Convenience
CD Tent, Festival Store & Vendors
There are various tents and booths on site for your convenience and enjoyment.
The Festival CD Tent is located on the Main Field, and is stocked with Artist Merchandise from many of our performers… sometimes you may spot a Performer here who will be willing to autograph a CD, t-shirt, etc.! The Festival Store, which is located below the Main Festival Office is the place to go to find any and all Festival/Stan Rogers merch, including Stanfest branded clothing, keychains, bumper stickers, and more!
We have a Food Court on site providing a variety of food and beverage services from across Canada to satisfy everyone’s palette.
The Handmade Village is located on the Main Field and hosts Nova Scotia artists, artisans and craftspeople exposing the audience to the wealth of talent within the province’s artistic community. Here you will find jewelry, stained glass, bird houses, woodwork and much more.
On-Site For Your Safety
First Aid, EHS, Security, Event Staff, RCMP
The Stan Rogers Folk Festival partners with emergency services such as RCMP and EHS Services to provide assistance and security as required. Various healthcare and public safety personnel will be around the site throughout the weekend. Any festival volunteer (identified by their volunteer t-shirt) can assist you in locating First Aid or Security services.
• First Aid is located on the Main Field and can handle any minor cuts, scrapes and issues. EHS Services, also located on site, can handle other more serious conditions.
• Maritect Security and our volunteer team, the Event Staff, can be found at critical locations on site, including perimeters, entry points and throughout the general site. Event staff, who can be identified by their bright orange “Event Staff” volunteer t-shirts, can answer any questions and act as first response to general security-related situations.
• In event of emergency, RCMP will be on location and can provide immediate assistance.
Explore Our Community
Churches: Several denominations are represented in the Canso area and church services are held throughout the weekend. Church service times are posted at the Information Booth as well as the doors of the churches.
Library & Electric Vehicle Charging Station: The Canso Branch of the Eastern Counties Regional Libraries is available for book, audio, and video rentals, as well as a charging station for environmentally-friendly electric vehicles. Learn more here.
Seafood & Restaurants: As a coastal community, Canso prides itself on its fresh seafood, which helps sustain many of our local families. Discover everything from fresh-caught seafood to decadent ice cream sundaes to the best pizza around at our various local restaurants and cafes.