Sep 19, 2007

ACTIVE MOUNTAIN ENTERTAINMENT

Announce new directions and major changes for the Merritt Mountain Music Festival – “MOUNTAINFEST”  

Active Mountain Entertainment, the producers of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival is excited to announce major changes.  After fifteen years, Mountainfest will look and feel different!    

Mountainfest is changing to an upscale festival that will appeal to the long time, patrons while maintaining the key reasons for their loyal attendance.  Our patrons have spoken and the “love of country music, premiere outdoor entertainment and recreation, nature’s finest get-away, as well as fun and friends” were the key reasons for their continued support.  We intend to give them all this and more!  Improvements to the campsites and the show site will be the main focus, while continuing to deliver high-caliber country music on three showground stages to carry on our legacy.  

Construction of a “Golf Community” has begun on the 250-acres upland portion of the property located to the North of the Festival show grounds. This property had been utilized to operate the West Gate entry, and for camping areas known as “tent city”, “D Camp”, “overflow camping” and “day-parking”. Due to the golf estate development, these sections of the land will no longer be available to the festival.  Traffic patterns will change and the camping areas, Tent City, D Camp, overflow and day parking areas will no longer exist.  Campgrounds B and C will be transformed into comfortable reserved camping areas.

Mountainfest patrons will experience a more relaxing and comfortable campground atmosphere.  Individual camp sites are being created in the newly established camping areas on the west side and all campsites will now be reserved only.  A minimum of two full event tickets must be purchased in order to reserve a campsite and for the first time, ticket sales will be capped at 12,000.  The site will also offer a wider variety of outdoor activities such as walking, biking or hiking on nature trails, and eventually golfing on the West side plateau overlooking the festival show grounds.  

Mountainfest proudly promotes the preservation of the natural beauty of the Nicola Valley and continues to be environmentally responsible. A “river walk” is being developed along the banks of the Coldwater River with added natural vegetation and controlled river access with designated entrance and exit points.   Further improvements planned for the show ground amenities will allow for more comfort and enhanced enjoyment of the shows.   

The results expected through all of these changes are, Mountainfest will be the best outdoor entertainment facility providing a more relaxed and secure camping environment.   

Mountainfest will operate as an integral part of BC’s newest and finest golf estate community.

FACT SHEET

MERRITT MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL CHANGES

DATES –  A four (4) day event, Thursday through Sunday only.  Next year’s dates are July 10 -13, 2008.   

CAMPING – “RESEVERVED CAMPSITES ONLY”. Camping is no longer included with an event ticket.  A campsite can only be reserved and purchased, with the purchase of minimum of two full event tickets.  Camp sites on the West side average 16’ x 42’ in size.  You must be booked into a reserved campsite in order to camp on the festival grounds.

FESTIVAL SITE – The festival will operate only on the banks of the Coldwater River.  Plans for access to the festival site will be one entrance only, on the east side.   A three year plan to improve the comforts and conveniences of the show grounds includes:  picnic areas on the show grounds, misting stations, permanent washrooms on the show grounds, permanent washrooms and showers in all campgrounds areas.  Offer a wider variety of vendors and food concessions.  

ARTISTS - The festival will keep its tradition of presenting major country music artists.   

TICKETMASTER – All full event tickets, reserved seats, reserved camping, and VIP upgrades will be processed through Ticketmaster beginning this fall.  Tickets will be sold through internet and by phone only.    

TICKETS – Two full event tickets must be purchased in order to reserve a campsite.  Single day tickets are not available for sale at this time.   Ticket sales will be capped at 12,000.  Single day tickets are not available for sale at this time.  

TICKET AND CAMPING PRICES :

All sales: (plus GST and applicable service charges).

• East Side Reserved Camping ranges from $125.00 to 195.00(for serviced sites)
• West Side Reserved Camping will be $150.00   

Reserved Seating, full event: (4 day)

• Level 1 (Rows 1 -5)    $375
• Level 2 (Rows 6 -12 AND Sec. C & D Rows 13-25)    $350
• Level 3 (All remaining seats: Sec AA, BB C& D Rows 26 -35)   $300

General Admission Full Event 4-Day:

• $195 Early Bird September – February28th
• $225 March 1^st
•   $250 July 1^st

Camping for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to July 10

• Advance: an additional $20.00 per night, per site (ecological fee)
• At the gate: an additional $35.00 (plus GST) per night, per site                                                                                                                             

PARKING – There is no parking on the festival site.  Limited day parking will be available off site.  A shuttle bus service will be available to and from the festival for those parking and staying off site.  

MAIN STAGE – Performances on the main stage will begin at 7:00pm.

BUD STAGE – The after hours party continues with live music on the Bud Stage in the beverage garden.   The beverage garden hours will be extended.   

ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONISBLE – Mountainfest promotes the preservation of the natural beauty of the valley.     

COLD WATER RIVER – A “river walk” is being developed along the banks of the Coldwater River with added natural vegetation and controlled river access with designated entrance and exit points.  Access points into the river will be monitored for items that cannot be taken into the water.  

OUTDOOR ACTIVITES - Offer a wider variety of outdoor activities such as walking, hiking on nature trails, and eventually golfing.  

For more information on the Merritt Mountain Music Festival “Mountainfest”  check our new web site: www.mountainfest.com, or call Active Mountain Entertainment at 605-525-3330.

Renewals for Reserved Camping begin : Monday, September 24^th
Call Active Mountain Entertainment Corp.  604-525-3330  

Renewals for Reserved Seating begin: Monday, September 24th
Ticketmaster will contact all current reserve seat holders  

On sale to general public for Reserved Camping, Reserved Seating,
 and General Admission: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20th - 10AM

www.tickemaster.ca or charge by phone 1-888-763-7748 (1-888-7MERRITT)