FAQ | essex-fun-fest

Where is the Essex Fun Fest?

The festival fairgrounds is located at 60 Fairview Avenue West in Essex, ON.

Directions to the Essex Fun Fest?

From HARROW

(Option #1) take County Road 20 to Arner Townline. Turn Left on Arner Townline and proceed to Highway #3 lights. Stay straight onto Gosfield Townline and before the lights at Talbot Street in Essex, your destination is on your left.

(Option #2) take County Road 11 out of Harrow, turn right on County Road 15. Turn Right on County Road 18 to Arner Townline. Turn Left on Arner Townline and proceed to Highway #3 lights. Stay straight onto Gosfield Townline and before the lights at Talbot Street in Essex, your destination is on your left.

From McGREGOR

Take either Concession Road 11 or 12 to North Malden Road. Turn Left on North Malden Road and proceed to South Talbot Street (just under the Highway #3 overpass) and Turn Right. Continue straight on South Talbot thru to the next stop sign at Brien Avenue. Continue straight on South Talbot, around the bend it turns into Fairview Avenue. Follow Fairview Avenue to Essex Centre Sports Complex and fairgrounds are on your right hand side.

From RIVER CANARD

Take County Road 8 up to Highway #3. Go thru lights at Highway #3. Now on Maidstone Townline, Turn Right at the McDonalds/Tim Hortons onto South Talbot. At the stop sign, stay right and South Talbot runs along Highway #3. At the stop sign at Victoria Avenue, continue straight on South Talbot thru to the next stop sign at Brien Avenue. Continue straight on South Talbot, around the bend it turns into Fairview Avenue. Follow Fairview Avenue to Essex Centre Sports Complex and fairgrounds are on your right hand side.

From LEAMINGTON / KINGSVILLE

Take Highway #3 towards Windsor to County Rd. 23 (Gosfield Townline/Arner Townline). Turn Right on Gosfield Townline and just before the lights at Talbot Street, the fairgrounds are on the left hand side.

From AMHERSTBURG

Take County Road 18 or Alma Street out of Amherstburg to Walker Road/County Road 11. Turn Left and go to Gesto Road/County Road 12. Turn Right on Gesto Road/County Road 12 and proceed to Arner Townline. Turn Left on Arner Townline and proceed to Highway #3 lights. Stay straight onto Gosfield Townline and before the lights at Talbot Street in Essex, your destination is on your left.

From WINDSOR CENTRAL & WEST / LaSALLE

Take Highway #3 towards Leamington to Maidstone Townline (Intersection to McDonalds/Canadian Tire at traffic lights). Turn Left on Maidstone Townline and make a right at the McDonalds/Tim Hortons onto South Talbot. At the stop sign, stay right and South Talbot runs along Highway #3. At the stop sign at Victoria Avenue, continue straight on South Talbot thru to the next stop sign at Brien Avenue. Continue straight on South Talbot, around the bend it turns into Fairview Avenue. Follow Fairview Avenue to Essex Centre Sports Complex and fairgrounds are on your right hand side.

From WINDSOR EAST / TECUMSEH

From LAKESHORE (Belle River, Puce, Emeryville, St. Joachim, Woodslee)

Take Naylor Side Road/County Road 23 OR County Road 8 to the roundabout in Essex and continue on Fairview Avenue to Talbot Street lights. Your destination is straight through the lights on the left side.

From CHATHAM - KENT

Take 401 West to the Belle River Road exit. Turn Left on Belle River Road and proceed to County Road 46 in Woodslee. Turn Right on County Road 46 and proceed to Naylor Side Road/Highway 23. Turn Left on Naylor Sideroad Road/County Road 23 and at the roundabout in Essex continue on Fairview Avenue to Talbot Street lights. Your destination is straight through the lights on the left side.

DISCLAIMER: Friday night Car Show and Saturday morning parade will force detours to the fairgrounds.

Where is the entrance into the park located?

There are two entrances into the park this year.

- Main entrance (Gate #1) is at the foot of the drive into the arena off Fairview Avenue.

- Back entrance (Gate #2) is located off Gosfield Townline at Max Miller drive, at rear of the arena.

Where do I park?

There is limited free on-site parking. Parking is available in the baseball diamond parking lot off of Fairview Ave., when applicable. This parking lot is attended. There is parking on side streets and public parking lots around the arena fairgrounds. Visitors are encouraged to get dropped off at the gate, walk or ride their bikes to the festival. There is an area at the front gates to leave your bikes.

We also offer a limited number of Accessible Parking spaces in our main parking lot off Fairview Ave.

What if I need transportation to and from the festival?

The Fun Fest has once again partnered with CareLink Health Transit Lakeshore and Paul Davis Systems and will offer a FREE Essex Centre Shuttle on Saturday, July 5th and Sunday, July 6th. Click here for more details.

There is no licensed taxi service in Essex Centre. There is no public transportation in Essex Centre, or to Essex Centre.

Uber is an option.

You can CALL SHOTGUN DESIGNATED DRIVER SERVICE at 519-919-8696 or visit www.callshotgun.ca.

Does the festival accept cashless payment?

Yes, we offer cashless payments at all our gates. Once inside the gates, some vendors may accept cashless payment as well, but if not, ATMs are available. World's Finest Shows also accept cashless payment if you wish to go on any amusement rides. Main stage area and beer tent area preferred payment is cashless payment although cash is accepted.

Are there Cash Machines/ATMs on the festival grounds?

Yes. Cash machines are located in the Food Court area and in the amusement area.

What are the festival hours and Admission Price?

Thursday, July 3rd

Park hours 5:00pm - 11:00pm

- Gate admission FREE thanks to ENWIN!

Friday, July 4th

Park hours 4:00pm - Midnight

- Gate admission fee is $7.00 for ages 13 and older. No park fees after 9:00PM.

Saturday, July 5th

Park hours 11:30am - Midnight

- Gate admission fee is $7.00 for ages 13 and older. No park fees after 9:00PM.

Sunday, July 6th

Park hours 12:00pm - 6:00pm

- Gate admission fee is $7.00 for ages 13 and older. Seniors aged 65-plus, FREE! Sponsored by BRADY’S DRUG STORE. No park fees after 4:00PM.

What does my admission include?

Your paid admission into the park allows you to take advantage of many new, and exciting things this year at the Essex Fun Fest. You will have access to our many vendors, which make our festival one of the best in the area, as well as to the Kids Zone, Main Stage shows, and all attractions, other than World's Finest Shows rides.

Sip 'N Shop event and Beer Tent not included in park admission.

What are the Beer Tent hours and Admission Price?

Thursday, July 4th

Sip N' Shop Wine Mixer 7:00pm - 11:30pm

- $35 advance ticket ($40 at door if not sold out)

Friday, July 5th

8:00pm - 1:00am

- $10 at Beer Tent gate

Saturday, July 6th

8:00pm - 1:00am

- $10 at Beer Tent gate

Sunday, July 7th

11:30am - 3:00pm

- No fee

Are there any park policies I should know about?

Yes, these items ARE PERMITTED inside the festival grounds upon inspection:
- Lawn chairs (concert area, activity area and fireworks viewing areas only)
- Blankets
- Hand-held umbrellas (please be respectful to the people around you)
- Diaper bags, medical bags, etc.
- Wagons, strollers

- Backpacks, duffel bags, tote bags and purses upon inspection
- Thermos cups and YETI’s (only if empty)

These items ARE NOT PERMITTED inside the festival grounds:
- Bicycles or any other similar modes of transportation
- Skateboards
- In-line skates, roller skates
- Tents
- Coolers
- Outside food
- Outside drink
- Dogs or any other pets

*There is an area at the front gates to leave items not allowed inside the park.

We reserve the right to inspect all items.

In addition, the Essex Fun Fest has a Guest Conduct Policy which states we intend to provide all our guests with a safe, comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. Therefore, the festival committee has established the following rules for expected guest conduct. Those failing to abide will be subject to ejection and possible arrest.

- Guests wearing obscene or indecent clothing are not allowed on the fairgrounds;

- Guests interfering with other guests' ability to enjoy the festival will be removed from the fairgrounds by security;

- Guests using foul or abusive language or gestures will be removed from the fairgrounds by security;

- Guests displaying extreme acts of public affection will be removed from the fairgrounds by security;

- Guests displaying acts of intoxication will be removed from the fairgrounds by security.

Lost and Found?

Yes, during regular park hours, please go to the Fun Fest Information booth located in the middle of the park near the Picnic Area. For Bavarian Gardens (beer tent) related losses, inquire with security within the tent area for help.

Is the fairgrounds licensed?

Yes, in certain areas within the fairgrounds only. The Beer Tent and the Essex Fun Fest Main Stage area. All ages in the main stage area and at specific times in the Beer Tent; All other times, you must be 19 years of age to enter Beer Tent with proper I.D. Everyone entering and exiting the Beer Tent and the Main Stage area is subject to be searched. Essex Fun Fest reserves the right to search pockets, purses, hand bags, jackets, etc. Two (2) pieces of photo I.D. will be required to be permitted in the Bavarian Gardens.

Is there any park security?

Yes. Paid security including Ontario Provincial Police throughout the weekend and including off hours. The Town of Essex and, the Essex Fun Fest committee, reserves the right, without refund or exchange, to refuse admission to or eject any person whose conduct is deemed disorderly or disruptive.

No Smoking

You'll need to butt out, again, this year at all sports facilities and fairgrounds in Ontario. As of Jan. 1, 2015, the Smoke-Free Ontario Bylaw is in effect. For more information, visit http://www.ontario.ca/health-and-wellness/smoke-free-ontario

Injury Disclaimer

The attendee assumes all risk and danger incidental to the fairgrounds area, and the Town of Essex and the Essex Fun Fest committee are not liable for injuries resulting from such cases.

Meetings

All festival meetings are open to the public. Meetings are typically every 3rd Thursday of the month, unless otherwise posted. Agendas and minutes are available to the public by visiting www.essex.