The time has almost come.
After not one, but two postponements, Bass Coast Festival is gearing up for one of its biggest editions yet. From July 8th to 11th, the boutique music and arts fest returns to Merritt, B.C. on the shared traditional territories on the Nłeʔkepmx and Syilx nations.
Ahead of Bass Coast's long-awaited return, EDM.com has put together an insider's guide to help prospective attendees prepare for what's to come. And we've curated a few handy tips and tricks from the festival's organizers as well as trusted patrons.
PACKING ESSENTIALS When packing for any outdoor activity within Canada, it's essential to prepare accordingly for the weather. While the forecast may read sunny skies, you just never know when it will cloud over and downpour. That being said, we recommend you come prepared with extra socks, an umbrella and maybe even rain boots.
Here are some essentials that you don't want to leave home without:
Festival ticket Photo ID (19+ event) Food or money for vendors Tent Bedding: Sleeping bag, pillow, blanket Sunscreen Bugspray Sunglasses Swimwear Proper footwear Flashlight Warm clothing/layers Refillable water bottle Insider's tip #1: "Remember to bring both day and night clothes," says Cam, a longtime Bass Coast attendee. "Think shade protection in the daytime and detachable warmth at night. You ideally want clothes that you can add or remove layers easily with at night since you can be hot at the dance floor and immediately cold walking between stages."
Each year, Bass Coast has a new theme. While you do not have to partake, it can be fun to participate. This year's theme is Future Deco. Bass Coast Festival defines Future Deco as a "vision in which the beauty of the past weaves into an unfolding future."
DIRECTIONS TO BASS COAST FROM KELOWNA ● Take Hwy BC-97C to Merritt
FROM KAMLOOPS ● Take Hwy BC-5 S towards Merritt
FROM VANCOUVER ● Take Hwy BC-1 and then Hwy BC-5 N towards Merritt
*GATE: Please note that there are three gates: the MAIN GATE (general admission), A GATE (reserved sites, glamping, accessible) and STAFF GATE.
You can find each gate's hours of operation below. If you are not GA and need directions to your gate, navigate here .
Bass Coast gates and hours of operation.
Bass Coast Project
BASS COAST FESTIVAL GROUNDS Now that you know what to bring and how to get there, let's take a closer look at where you will be spending your weekend. As mentioned, Bass Coast is located on shared traditional territories on the Nłeʔkepmx and Syilx nations, or Thompson-Nicola N, BC V0K 1W0 as listed on Google Maps.
BASS COAST CAMPING There are changes in the festival layout this year due to flood damage sustained in November 2021. Check out the site map below to note which areas are now out of bounds. A new campsite called Ventura is available this year to make up for lost space in Campground B.
Bass Coast Festival 2022 site map.
Bass Coast Project
Free camping is included in all festival ticket prices. GA ticket-holders have access to campgrounds B and C. However, for an additional fee, there is the option to opt for reserved camping. All reserved sites are located in Campgrounds A and Ventura.
BASS COAST 2022 STAGES Insider's tip #2 : "Grab a floaty and float down the river to Slay Bay one afternoon," recommends James Stipes, a Bass Coast Street Team member. "It really is the best festival stage entrance ever."
Bass Coast features five main audiovisual stages, as well as one additional workshop stage called The Brain.
1. The Cantina
Insider's tip #3: "Look for the 'nightlife guard' chairs at each of the stages, located at the back of the dancefloor," says Stacey Forrester, Bass Coast Harm Reduction Manager. "That chair will have someone with a radio on it during peak times in case of an emergency."
More information about Bass Coast's harm reduction is at the bottom of this article.
