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. 

Spa vendor information page from application: https://basscoast.ca/pages/basscoast-spa-information-package

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

MANDATORY VIEWING:  BASS COAST TRAINING VIDEOS

Bass Coast has produced 6 short training videos for all Bass Coast team members, 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

LINK TO QUIZ

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.

VENDOR QR CODES

You and your vending staff will be emailed a QR code one week before the festival.

All vendor accreditation will be at the Staff Gate. You may be asked for ID for verification. 

If you have any questions about this please contact staffgate@basscoast.ca

VENDOR STAFF LIST 

Vendor staff will be emailed an individual QR code one week before the festival.

VENDOR LEAD - CHECK IN

The owner of the stall should be the first person to arrive on-site. Upon arrival at the staff gate we will give your parking passes and any other credentials to the main contact of the Spa Vendor. If you would like someone else from your crew to pick up these credentials you must email staffgate@basscoast.ca.

VENDOR ENTRY

Vendors and vending staff can arrive on site after 9am on Wednesday, July 5th, at the 

Staff Gate to have your booth open by Thursday July 6th.

Access to the Forest (vending area) will be closed to vehicles as of Thursday July 6th at noon, please arrange to have your vending gear dropped off before then.

No early arrivals unless they have already been pre-arranged with Iris before June 30th, no exceptions. 

Please keep in mind that the festival grounds will not be accessible on Wednesday and artists will only have access to their designated camping area. On Thursday, food vendors will open. On Thursday, spa bookings are limited to only those that have access to the forest. 

Staff Gate Hours

All vendors and staff 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. 

VENDOR VEHICLE PASSES

Each Spa vending stall will receive 1 Vendor Lot parking pass.

Vendor owners do not require a purchased vehicle pass, as they will receive the necessary parking pass at the Staff Gate.  

Vendors and staff that do not arrive in the same vehicle, will need to purchase a vehicle pass in advance to facilitate faster processing at the gate.  

PURCHASE A VEHICLE PASS

SPA VENDOR CAMPING 

Spa Practitioners will be permitted to camp where they choose in Campgound B and C camping areas or if you have a reserved site in Campground A or Ventura.

BASS COAST IS A WORKSITE ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY 

The main festival field and forest are closed to everyone but contractors, vendors and suppliers until 9 am on Thursday. 

Camping in General Admission

Campsites A, B, C and Ventura are closed until Wednesday at noon when open to the public. Spa Vendors may join the Main Gate and A Gate line up \ at 1pm Wed - not before. GA and skip the line after 11am if they have a wristband.

ENTRY / EXIT

Spa practitioners may enter the festival site from 9AM Wednesday, July 5th. If you arrive after 10 PM, you will be processed the following morning. No exceptions.

Spa practitioners must be off-site by 6PM, Monday July 10th. 

IMPORTANT: Late departures will not get LNT deposit back

HOURS OF OPERATION

The Bass Coast Spa will be open daily Thursday, July 6th - Sunday, July 9th. It will be up to the practitioner to commit to certain hours with approval from the Bass Coast Spa manager. 

POWER

Bass Coast will provide 1 box per store with 1 standard 3 prong (20amp) power outlet. Please bring extra extension cords and power bars if you need it.

WEATHER

• Merritt is very hot and can be very windy so your stalls and goods must be able to be secured.
• Thunderstorms are also likely so be prepared for heavy rains.

 SECURITY/SAFETY

• We have an onsite security plan and security team. There will be security patrolling all areas 24 hours / day. Please secure your valuables. Theft is a reality for most festivals these days so lock them up. We are not liable for any lost or damaged items.
• Please bring enough lighting so that you are able to leave some lights ON outside your booth after it is closed down. This helps secure your booth while you are away from it, as well as lights the path for people walking the festival at night.

 ENVIRONMENT

• To ensure our environment is left clean, we require a Leave No Trace deposit.
• The deposit will be returned to you onsite by cheque Monday July 10th after your plot has been inspected and approved. Pack it in, pack it out. Please remember to pick up your LNT deposit at the Staff Gate before you leave.

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 

Performance Artists will have access to the showers and bathroom trailers in Artist Hospitality during your performance day. Please limit your use to one shower on the day(s) that you are performing and do not use the trailers for doing hair & makeup, due to the volume of people using these trailers. 

To access these Showers, please check in at the Artist Lounge. Artist Lounge is open 24 hours, more details below. The Artist Hospitality team will have a list of performers for the day and can escort you to the shower entrance. For artist guests, or performance artists wanting to shower outside of performance dates, will be able to shower in Campground B. 

Shower prices: 

• Performance Artists: $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.

Checklist

• Headlamps / flashlights
• The terrain is a little uneven, bring appropriate shoes
• Water or river shoes are helpful
• Bankcard or cash (there are ATMS onsite)
• Don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray
• Fresh socks for every day
• Water bottle
• Coffee mug
• Plates and utensils (we have a washing station in food vending) 
• Warm clothes for night
• Chair for your camp
• Recycling system for your camp
• Bike if you are camping far from stages
• Snacks for camp

Festival safety is everyone’s responsibility, no matter what team you are on. Everyone on site plays a role in harm reduction, as we are all the eyes and ears of the festival. As you participate, please take care of yourself and each other. Remind people to take breaks, drink water and come pop by the Harm Reduction space for a break as needed. Check in with anyone looking confused, lost or unwell and remind them where Harm Reduction is located.  We will be offering support, harm reduction supplies and information all weekend.

Harm Reduction services are open to patrons and everyone involved in the festival. There is zero judgement if you come in needing supplies or to ground yourself in the Harm Reduction area. If someone is having non-medical distress such as anxiety, looking lost or upset, please walk them to Harm Reduction which is on the path to Slay Bay as you enter the forest (it’s a large space, you can’t miss it). 

Consent Culture

We are all responsible for promoting consent culture. Checking in on someone who looks uncomfortable is as easy as: “Hey! My name is Sam, and it’s my job to make sure everyone is feeling good all weekend. Are both of you alright? Can I help you with anything?” Don’t hesitate to involve security in helping address any creep vibes onsite.

Naloxone / Narcan FAQ

There are many team members and volunteers trained in administering Naloxone. We will not have formal training for additional teams onsite. There will be naloxone placed in strategic locations around the festival site that First Aid can administer if appropriate. Naloxone (Narcan) is for use with opioid overdoses only; fentanyl, heroin or codeine. In case of an overdose, First Aid will be on the scene within minutes. The best action to take is to open the patient's airway and assist them with rescue breathing if necessary. Getting rescue breaths into an opioid overdosing patient is the primary action to be taken. (See details below).

FIRST AID 101

If you see someone in need of medical attention, find someone with a radio immediately and have them call First Aid. Team members with radios are located at Camp A, B, C and Ventura outposts, harm reduction lifeguard chairs at the back of every dance floor, General Store, Volunteer Centre, bar managers or any of the festival gates. All security members have radios. First Aid teams will move quickly to help.

How to Call for First Aid and Manage Medical Distress

Ensure you provide First Aid with the three most important pieces of information they need: 

• Who you are 
• Where you are
• What is happening (keep it simple i.e. “I am with an unconscious patient”)

The First Aid l team will move quickly to help you, once you call for their assistance. The following are some basic steps that can help you while First Aid arrives at your location.

BASIC FIRST AID

ASSESS: Try to get a handle on the patient's condition. Breathing? Pulse? Somewhat responsive or unresponsive to pain stimulus (do not hesitate to apply a STRONG pain stimulus to an unconscious patient)? 

REPORT: Report the incident to First Aid: Who are you? Where are you? What has/is happening?

Open the AIRWAY.

Administer CPR if needed until medics arrive. Please do not administer any medications of any kind to the patient without notifying First Aid. If the patient is conscious and can instruct you to help them take life saving medications (eg. EpiPen) please do so and notify First Aid.

Fire Safety

If you see a fire:

1. Inform Security, First Aid or any team member with a radio.
2. Give Dispatch as much info as possible on location and what is burning.
3. FIGHT the fire ONLY if it is small and you are able to.
4. Evacuate all guests and patrons in immediate danger to a safe location. (200 ft away)
5. Help people requiring assistance
6. Proceed to a safe area and wait for the fire response team.

Bass Coast has a recovery and evacuation plan in place. Should the area require evacuation, our trained team members will give you instructions as to what to do should an event of this nature occur. 

Bass Coast takes place in a very dry climate and we need your help to prevent fires. Please dispose of any cigarettes in designated bins and encourage your community to do the same. Pocket ashtrays are available at the General Store. 

Lost and Found

Bass Coast Lost and Found is located next to the General Store. The Lost and Found station is for both team members and guests to inquire about any lost items, or to drop off any found items. The Lost and Found station will be manned during the day only from 10:00am - 5:30pm. The Lost and Found team cannot retain or store any large lost or found items.

✓ EQUIPMENT RETURN:

Please return all equipment that was signed out to you during the festival.

✓ MOOP and Leaving Bass Coast

As you prepare to leave Bass Coast, please join us in collecting all garbage from your campsite and leaving it neatly in the designated area. We encourage you to take the time you need to rest, pack your campsite and belongings thoroughly and feel ready for the journey ahead. 

✓ COLLECT LNT FEE

 Please remember to pick up your LNT deposit at the staff gate before you leave. You will need to check in with the Vending Manager on Monday morning after you pack up to ensure that your booth area is free of MOOP before your LNT deposit is released. 

Q: Can I skip the line at Main Gate on Wednesday if I am an artist / in-house team / volunteer and already have my credentials?

A: No, there is no skipping the line on Wednesday for any artist / in-house team.

Beginning Thursday at 11AM artists / in-house team are able to skip the line at Main Gate if they have already checked in at the Staff Gate and have all their credentials.  

Drive past the entrance to the Main Gate line up and turn left behind the main gate office.  Security will stop and search vehicles and check credentials.

Important Numbers

Production Manager: Anna Hilliar   

+1 (604) 726-4044 

anna@basscoast.ca

Production Manager Assistant: Jennafer Harkness 

+1 (604) 813-5405

productionassistant@basscoast.ca 

Spa Vending Manager: Iris Fai

1+ ( 778  )828 1505

basscoastspa@gmail.com

Directions

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO BASS COAST FESTIVAL SITE 2023

The festival site is located one mile southwest of the City of Merritt, BC, just off the Coquihalla Hwy. 

FROM KELOWNA

• Take Hwy BC-97C to Merritt
• Once in Merritt, continue through onto the Princeton - Kamloops Hwy BC-97C
• Turn left on COLDWATER Rd.
• Turn right onto POOLEY Rd.
• Turn left onto NEILSON St(gravel road). 
• Enter the festival site from the STAFF (east) GATE. 

FROM KAMLOOPS

• Take Hwy BC-5 S towards Merritt 
• Take exit #286 from the Coquihalla hwy and head towards Merritt city center along Princeton-Kamloops Hwy BC-97C
• Turn left on COLDWATER Rd.
• Turn right onto POOLEY Rd.
• Turn left onto NEILSON St (gravel road) 
• Enter the festival site from the STAFF GATE. 

FROM VANCOUVER

• Take Hwy BC-1 and then Hwy BC-5 N towards Merritt
• Once in Merritt, take exit #286, keep right at the fork, and head towards Merritt city center along Princeton-Kamloops Hwy BC-97C
• Turn left on COLDWATER Rd.
• Turn right onto POOLEY Rd.
• Turn left onto NEILSON St (gravel road). 
• Enter the festival site from the STAFF GATE. 

Drive 1km past Moon Shadows Campground at 1145 Neilson St, Merritt, BC

PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY PAST MOON SHADOWS 15 km / hour

Bass Coast Emergency Line: 1-672-699-6606

Festival FAQS

Online Schedule

Site Maps

Harm Reduction

Sustainability

Towards Equity

Bass Coast Harassment and Assault Policy

Bass Coast App