Cavendish Beach Music Festival: 7 things to know

The weekend country music fans have been waiting for is finally here.

The Cavendish Beach Music Festival, now in its eighth year, takes place Friday to Sunday. About 100,000 people are expected to attend the concerts over the three days.

• Cavendish Beach Music headliners will be Shelton, Chesney, The Band Perry

• Cavendish Beach Music Festival plans faster ticketing, smoother traffic

Here are seven things you need to know if you're planning to attend.

1. Tickets are still available

The festival sent a message on social media saying that contrary to rumours, tickets are not sold out.

Tickets can be purchased at the P.E.I. Brewing Company in Charlottetown, at the Avonlea box office, online at www.cavendishbeachmusic.com or by phone at 1-844-521-2263.

2. Coming and going

How you enter and exit the site is new this year. If you enter from the east, you'll exit from the east. If you enter from the west, you exit from the west. In order to alleviate traffic jams, they've added more access points to get in and out.

RCMP have asked anyone picking up concert-goers after 10:30 p.m. to have a spot pre-determined that coincides with the established traffic plan.

If you're east of the concert site, you'll want to determine a location in the direction of North Rustico, Brackley, Stanhope, Charlottetown, somewhere past the Cavendish Corner.

If you are west of the concert site, you'll want to determine a location in the direction of Stanley Bridge, Kensington, Summerside, somewhere past the Cavendish Boardwalk and Graham's Lane.

With the exception of registered taxis and coaches/buses, no inbound traffic will be permitted towards Avonlea Village on Route 6 from Cavendish Corner in the east and Graham's Lane in the west at 10:30 p.m. each night until pedestrian traffic has subsided to ensure the safety of those walking from the site.

There is also more parking available, ranging from $10 to $20 a day.

3. Wristbands

Wristbands were not mailed out this year.

If you haven't already picked up your wristband, festival staff will be visiting nearby campgrounds Thursday and Friday where festival-goers are staying to check their tickets and put on their wristbands.

You can also get them at the main gate as long as you have your ticket with you or on your phone.

There will be no will-call this year.

Once you have your wristband, you can leave the site and come back anytime you want from noon till 11 p.m. This is not the Hotel California.

4. Dress for the weather

CBC News weatherman Kevin "Boomer" Gallant says there's a chance of rain in the forecast, so dress accordingly.

Keep in mind that umbrellas aren't allowed.

5. Go-Pro? No go

Go-Pros are not allowed this year, nor are any professional cameras or recording devices. (A professional camera is considered one where the lens is removable.)

Take as many pics as you want from your phone, but if you're hoping to get a selfie with Blake Shelton, you'll have to do it without a selfie stick. They're banned, too.

6. Eat-in only

No outside food or drinks can be brought in, with the exception of one sealed bottle of water up to one litre. And, yes, they'll check your purse or backpack.

So fill up before you go. You can also buy food and drinks from the various vendors on site.

7. Take a load off, fanny

If standing for hours is not your thing, foldable "bag" chairs are permitted provided they don't obstruct anyone's view. But don't leave them unattended.

If you want to get close to the stage and still be able to see, especially during the bigger acts, standing is the best option.

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