Bass Coast 2023
Media Orientation Info
Welcome Media
Welcome to Bass Coast 2023
Bass Coast Festival is held on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux and Syilx people. Please take a moment to learn about the area. Bass Coast takes place on the shared Traditional Territories of Nłeʔkepmx and Syilx.
We invite you to be part of our innovative creative experience as we celebrate our 15th year.
About Merritt
We Are Nlaka'pamux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ESGaLTsxBU
Merritt is 270 km northeast of Vancouver. For more information about Merritt, check our website: https://basscoast.ca/pages/merritt
BEFORE YOU COME TO SITE
MANDATORY VIEWING: BASS COAST TRAINING VIDEOS
Bass Coast has produced 6 short training videos for all Bass Coast team members, media, artists and in-house participants. These videos will cover cultural appropriation
consent, harassment and bystander Intervention, local cultural knowledge, and harm reduction. Please watch all 6 videos and complete the quiz before you arrive onsite.
https://basscoast.ca/bass-coast-team-education-series (SITE PASSWORD - AVANTGARDEN)
MEDIA AGREEMENT
Please review and complete this media agreement before you arrive onsite.
Tickets & Arrival
Your Ticket
Bring at least 1 piece of government issued photo ID. Our permit does not allow anyone under the age of 19 to attend the festival. No exceptions.
You will be sent a QR code to your email before you arrive. Pick up accreditation at the Staff Gate.
ENTRY
Media are welcome to arrive on site after 12pm on Wednesday, July 5th, at the Staff Gate
Please keep in mind that the festival grounds will not be accessible on Wednesday and media will only have access to their designated camping area. On Thursday, food vendor services will open.
Staff Gate Hours
All media must enter and check in at the STAFF GATE - located 1km past Moon Shadows Campground at 1145 Neilson St, Merritt, BC. We ask that you drive slowly down the dirt road to reduce the dust for campground residents. 15km/hr max.
Staff Gate Hours:
- Wed, July 5: 9am-12am
- Thurs, July 6: 9am-12am
- Fri, July 7: 9am-1am
- Sat, July 8: 9am-10pm
- Sun, July 9: 9am-4pm
- Mon, July 10: CLOSED
*All accreditation will ONLY be available at the staff gate.
PLEASE NOTE
General admission ticket holders may arrive on site on Friday July 7 at 9:00am at the earliest. No general admission ticket holders arriving before Friday will be permitted on site unless they have a Wednesday + Thursday or Thursday Entry ticket. No exceptions.
Wednesday Entry tickets are still available on basscoast.ca.
Food and Drink
Food vendors will be available onsite from Thu July 6 - Sun July 9. Please bring a reusable vessel for coffee and water. As of Thursday July 7 there is a $20 re-entry fee per vehicle if you need supplies and are exiting the site.
No plastic disposable water bottles will be sold on site and no glass bottles are permitted. Please visit our first timers guide and FAQs
EVENT INFORMATION
SET TIMES
Find the full Bass Coast Schedule here.
STAGE ETIQUETTE
Bass Coast will provide you with daily photo and video drops to use in your coverage of the festival. Please do not enter the stage to capture photo or video at any time.
Representing Bass Coast
Please follow these capturing guidelines for for your Bass Coast coverage:
- Dirty/messy videos. Videos with dirty ground, bottles, and an unkempt environment.
- Cultural Appropriation. Avoid filming fashion/costumes that may verge on cultural appropriation (bindis, white dreadlocks, NO headdresses, any other articles that represent religious or cultural significance.) Watch the education series link below.
- Nudity
- Alcohol bottles. Bass Coast is a no-booze festival outside of the Bass Coast bars.
- Excess. Avoid Images of obviously loose people - really messed up or frazzled. While we respect how some people party, this is not the vibe of Bass Coast and how the festival is presented to the media.
We must always respect the vulnerability some people are exploring while feeling free at a festival. We work very hard to create an environment where people feel safe and free, so if someone / some people are having an intimate moment - please exercise mindfulness about whether this moment ought to be captured or left alone.
Please represent diversity. ALL bodies, all backgrounds, all genders, all orientation, all fashion, all folks - everyone deserves to be seen as wonderful works of art!
CAMPING AND ACCOMMODATIONS
MEDIA CAMPING
Media are welcome to camp and park in the Media Camp, located near the Cantina stage and Reset Resort. You can find it on the map here.
BASS COAST IS A WORKSITE ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
The main festival field and forest are closed to everyone but subcontractors, vendors and suppliers until 9am on Thursday.
PREPARING FOR BASS COAST
WHAT SHOULD I BRING / FESTIVAL AMENITIES
Reusable water bottles - Free water is available on-site. Bring your own water bottle. Please do not bring glass of any kind.
Appropriate shoes and clothing - The terrain and weather can both be unreliable. Water or river shoes and waterproof clothing are recommended.
Camping gear - headlamps / flashlights, sunscreen and bug spray. Prepare for all conditions.
Camping locations - There is tent camping in wooded areas and in open meadows. Cars and RVs are free to park and camp together in the flat meadow areas in Campground B or C.
Accessibility - Please read for updated information about Bass Coast accessibility ethos.
Fire Ban - Please no fires, fireworks, open flames, or grills. Camp stoves are ok.
Cash and credit - There will be ATM’s available on-site and all bars will only take credit sales. Individual vendors may only accept cash payments.
Showers - Media will have access to showers in Campground B.
Shower price:
- Media: $5
- General Admission: $9
Show your wristband to the shower team to receive the reduced price.
Please clean up after yourself and limit your showers to 5 minutes. It is costly to pump the tank.
HOSPITALITY
ARTIST LOUNGE AND SPACE BAR
Location: Close to the entrance of the forest behind the main stage and near the live art painters. The Artist Lounge is open 24 hours a day for artist information and a cup of tea and snacks. Artists, artist guests and media will be granted access to this area. Please use discretion in your interactions.
Space Bar hours: Open from 3pm until 1:30am daily from Friday to Sunday (open on Thursday night from 4pm - 12am). Power will be available for computers and phone chargers. Wifi is not available on site, but almost all cell phones receive good service. Beverages are available for purchase.
Happy Hours at Space Bar: Join us for complimentary snacks and beverages for artist happy hours on Saturday and Sunday starting at 6pm.
Important Information
Important Numbers
Marketing and Media Manager: Zan Comerford
+1 (250) 777-1109
Production Manager: Anna Hilliar
+1 (604) 726-4044
Production Manager Assistant: Jennafer Harkness
+1 (604) 813-5405