One of the most fun aspects that spontaneously appeared at the very first Fair was creative camp handles. It's something that got competitive in a friendly way, then as these things are wont to do kind of got forgotten as time marched forward. We'd like it if some of the old Fair phenom came back again, so how about this:

Get ahold of the people you are currently planning your Fair experience with, and brainstorm a name for your camp. Then make a sign. Be creative, playful -- decorate your site, even dress up in costumes! Anyone who camps with you is a part of your clan, and can participate.

We'll have an ad hoc panel of judges who will be checking things out Saturday afternoon, and will announce a winner later in the evening. There are prizes - we're thinking a couple hundred dollars for the hands down most creative and irrestistably, obviously hands down best, a couple passes to next year for 2nd, and of course a year's supply of Ragu Sauce or maybe a toaster oven for third place!  Something like that anyway, we haven't quite decided.

Think performance art, theatre noir, Burning Man! Be surreal, retro, funky, traditional, bizarre, strange, beautiful, tribal, wild and crazy, but be gentle and artsey about it, ok?

The South Country Fair is made possible by a dedicated group of people who, for two and a half decades now, have worked to turn their love of Folk music into a festival, where people can come together to enjoy not only the music but also the community that it cultivates. Naturally, given our inclination towards fostering the Folk community, we have been happy to provide camping to fairgoers in the hope that in providing the communal space, we are nurturing the growth of our community.
     
    In recent years, we have been paying a price for our success. The primary problem is the limited physical space of the venue complicated by growing attendance, which has manifested mainly as parking problems-especially with vehicles and large trailers inefficiently using up prime tenting in the lower treed camp. Inevitably some automobiles end up obstructing the laneways needed for essential services like the water truck, recycling truck, toilet maintenance truck and emergency response vehicles.

    While we have tried, by implementing parking passes, to limit the number of vehicles allowed on site, the campground continues to present problems related to emergency vehicle access and pedestrian safety. Our concern is that these problems, if left unattended, will undermine the safety, harmony and cohesion of our camping community.

    In order to stay ahead of these problems, we have implemented the following changes:

1)    Camping will now be available only to those who purchase a Festival (Weekend) Pass. In order to access the campground, fairgoers will need to show their Festival (Weekend) Wristbands.

2)    While in the past we have invited fairgoers to join us in staying on the grounds in the week leading up to the Fair, we will now reserve this privilege for our volunteers. The fairgrounds will be open to campers at 9am on Friday prior to The Fair. All fairgoers are expected to vacate the fairgrounds by 9pm on Sunday . Given that all campers must have a wristband to enter the camping areas, campers must check in, at the Main Gate, between the hours of 9am and 11pm, on Friday or Saturday. Volunteer Camping will begin at 5pm on Wednesday prior to The Fair and end at 9am the following Wednesday. 

3)    We will be asking campers to park at the top of the hill, and carry, lug, barrow or cart their camping equipment into the campground. For those with trailers, as well as those who need their vehicle nearby, there will be a $30 Vehicle Access Fee. The fee will be charged per vehicle per entry into the campground. In other words, every time you leave and then drive back into the campground, you will be charged another $30. It is our hope that rather than simply pay the vehicle access fee, campers will decide to leave their vehicles up top and, in doing so, alleviate our congestion and safety concerns. Currently, our long-term plan is to eventually remove all vehicles (other than trailers) from the lower treed area.
    
    In making these changes, we hope that less vehicles means more tents and more people and, in the long run, a larger but less divided, more responsible and more safe camping community. The people who volunteer their time to make the South Country Fair possible are extremely important to us and we are happy that, in making these changes, we will be able to reward them in a whole new way. For information on volunteering for South Country Fair email volunteer4scf AT gmail DOT com.

Vehicles Onsite

• Vehicles that enter the grounds must not exceed a speed limit of 5km/hr (average walking speed).
• When reversing or parking your vehicle, you must have a spotter.
• No vehicle (including trailers) may be parked within 1.5 meters (5 ft) of a roadway.
• Violations of any of the above policies will result in the removal of the vehicle from the fairgrounds (by tow truck, if necessary) and the revocation of vehicle access privileges.

Volunteer Camping
    Volunteer Camping will begin at 5pm on Wednesday July 13th, 2011, and end at 9am on Wednesday July 20th. Of course, volunteers who are actively involved in either set up or strike may, with permission, camp on site prior to or after the designated dates. Volunteers may check in to camp on Wednesday or Thursday between 5pm and 9pm, or may check in with regular campers anytime after Friday at 9am.

    Given that we appreciate the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, who help make the Fair possible, volunteers who arrive before Friday may use their vehicles to drop off their camping gear. We ask that our volunteers set a good example for other fairgoers by parking their vehicles in the lot at the top of the hill. Those volunteers who need to camp in or with their vehicles will not be charged a vehicle access fee unless they leave and return to the grounds between Friday at 9am and Sunday at 7pm. Every vehicle entry (volunteer or not) between Friday at 9am and Sunday at 7pm will be charged $30.

Once again, for information on volunteering for South Country Fair email volunteer4scf  AT gmail DOT com.

Advance Tickets online & at venues: $80/$70 (tax included) until 10 July
After that and at The Gate: $100/$90 (tax included)

12 years and under (must be accompanied by a ticketholder of responsible age) FREE Admission

Students (13 - 17 years or valid SID) & Seniors, $5 off Walkup weekend pass prices.

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE!

The Fair opens for camping 9:00am Friday, 16 July.  Tape, rope, unauthorized tents or trailers found onsite before that will be removed.

CAMPING - although technically still FREE if you walk in with a pack will cost $30 if you bring a vehicle in anywhere in the camp whether for one evening or the weekend. YOU MUST HAVE A WEEKEND FESTIVAL PASS TO ACCESS THE CAMP!  NO FREE LOOKS!!!

Campers and trailers are no longer considered domiciles and are subject to the same fee -- and if a vehicle is driven out when it comes in there will be another $30 charge. Now that there has been damage to the road there is even less space and only about 120 car camping passes available for the lower camp, and another 80 for the top bench East of the box office. 

Day or evening parking is exempt as long as you drive out after the show, and do not stay. Campers are strongly encouraged to park their cars in the ball diamond and walk their gear in. Be warned that cars found without a camping pass or improperly parked or obstructing the roads in the camp will be towed.

Camping on the top bench just inside the ground to the East of Main Gate is still free, too.

These changes to our legendary open approach to access and camping reflects the new policy regarding camp security.

Car passes are available only available from the box office at the Main Gate.

South Country Fair reserves the right to refuse sale of tickets or parking passes to anyone we deem incompatible with the spirit of The Fair. We also reserve the right to eject anyone who doesn't know what the phrase 'don't be stupid' means. All ticket sales are final -- NO REFUNDS.


CAMP  RULES

1. NO DOGS
2. NO GLASS
3. NO UNATTENDED FIRES
4. NO AGGRESSION, FIGHTING OR SWEARING
5. NO CAR STEREOS, RADIOS OR BLASTERS TO BE USED IN THE CAMP
6. NO FIREWORKS
7. NO ILLICIT DRUGS
8. NO LIQUOR IN MAINSTAGE AREA
9. NO INTOXICATED PEOPLE ON SITE, NO UNDERAGED DRINKING
10. NO UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES
11. BEACH IS CLOSED AT SUNDOWN. RIVER CAN BE DANGEROUS - DON’T SWIM ALONE. SWIM AT OWN RISK.
12. NO LITTERING -- PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF
13. USE THE PORTABLE TOILETS, NOT THE BUSH
14. RECYCLE IN PROPER BINS
15. GATE WILL BE CLOSED FOR ENTRY AT 1:00AM NIGHTLY

Complaints regarding behaviour will be treated on a two strike basis - first one gets a warning, second strike results in being escorted from grounds. Neatness counts too -- the most obnoxious or garbage-strewn camp just might have to wear gum on their noses for the rest of the Fair, just so's you know...

Planning to come to the Fair to get drunk, be really loud and fight? Stay home!