If you have a question about Beltania, or want to know everything there is to know before you arrive, chances are you'll find the information here. Frequently Asked Questions What kind of festival is Beltania?Beltane is an ancient Celtic fire festival celebrating the bright half of the year. Traditionally, the Balefire is lit to signal the return of the sun’s strength, and people dance around the maypole which symbolizes fertility. There’s a lot more to the history, lore, activities, and symbology of Beltane, but suffice to say Beltania is not designed to reenact or recreate ancient Pagan ways. Rather, it’s a modern celebration and interpretation of this May Day tradition. Beltania is a four-day camping and music festival, and will be filled with workshops, activities, and ritual. Beltania 2009 - 2011 had seven concert performances and we plan on Beltania 2012 being similarly filled with a variety of amazing music. The organizers of the festival are Neo-Pagan and therefore the ritual elements, workshops, and general theme are Pagan-oriented. However, with the wide appeal of many of the musical performers and the broad appeal of many of our activities such as drum circles and workshops, we expect attendance from many who follow an Earth-centered, Goddess-centered, metaphysical, or alternative/individualistic spiritual path who might not label themselves as Pagan. Most importantly, the organizers hope to create community, celebration, and deep spiritual connection with each other, with the Earth, and with the Divine as we each desire. What are the registration deadlines and ticket prices?See our Ticket Prices page, found under Register in the top horizontal menu.
What about the weather? What temps are normal for the festival location this time of year?Since the altitude is about 6700 ft. , it’s not going to be as cold as if it were in the higher mountains. Average nighttime low for the dates of Beltania is in the 40’s, and daytime highs are around 70 degrees. It does get windy, too! What’s the policy on alcohol and tobacco? Alcohol will not be sold on-site, but may be brought. No alcohol in community space or at rituals; we ask that alcohol be consumed at your private campsite. Please be respectful when smoking in communal areas and extinguish/dispose of properly. Mother Earth doesn’t want your butts all over her! We recommend bringing an empty film canister to use as your portable ashtray. And remember, cigarettes can start wildfires! Please respect all local, state, and federal laws and we ask that you behave responsibly and respect others. We will have wristbands for those 18 and over. Is this a kid-friendly event?Yes! We will have several children’s activities - just check the bulletin boards at the Community Center. We hope to have a kids' play area available again. Kids will love the maypole dance! Keep in mind, though, that it is an outdoor event and you may need to bundle up. Also, Beltania is not providing any child care of any kind. The music concerts last late into the night Friday and Saturday and music will be audible throughout the festival. We do not impose any curfew or restrictions on children except to say that parents should always accompany their children and are responsible for their behavior and safety. One exception, though: The Wild Meadow is off limits to anyone under the age of 18, so that the adults who want to may enjoy some kid-free time. Are pets allowed?No. Exceptions only for service animals. We do not want barking animals during the concert, and just aren’t willing to take on the liability and potential cleaning issues. Service Animals: Service animals are allowed at Retreat. Service animal means any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items. Beltania does require official certification of the service animal, to be provided to the festival directors before the festival (send to volunteering@beltania.org). Beltania holds the owner responsible for any injuries or damages caused by the animal. Beltania is also a music festival, as such, barking will not be tolerated. Directors or Beltania Staff may assess such damages, as necessary, and may remove the animal, and its owner, from retreat if the animal's behavior poses a threat to anyone’s health, safety, or enjoyment of the Retreat. Any questions you can contact the volunteer coordinator. What’s this I hear about workshifts?Our policy is that all those attending Beltania do at least one 2 hour workshift. When everyone pitches in to help it creates an investment in the community and provides opportunities for guests to meet each other. Also, Beltania is a festival held by a nonprofit organization. We are discovering that our festival's existence depends on the generosity and talents of many volunteers. Exemptions may be granted for specific reasons. See the Workshifts page for more info. What’s the restroom situation (exactly how primitive is the camping)?We will have port-a-johns and wash stations available for your convenience. The ones at the Center of the Universe and near the Reserved Family/Handicapped Camping area will be the ADA Accessible ones. And the shower situation?This year we have on-site hot showers in the Shower House located on the west end of the Center of the Universe. The Shower House is a 33’ heated, round enclosure holding 5 private hot showers with adjacent private dressing areas and an “after showers” lounge. Each shower unit is floored with pallets & no-slip mats and is cleaned between use. Showers include organic, unscented, earth friendly soap/shampoo/conditioner. You are invited to dry, groom, and chat in the lounge after your shower with a cup of complimentary hot mint tea. This is a great place for scenting yourself with oils instead of using scented products in the showers. This will keep the shower units neutral for those unable to tolerate strong perfumes. Tickets can be purchased at the Showerhaus for $8. Towels are available for rent while supplies last if you forget yours. All children must be accompanied by their adult and be well behaved. A child under 10 yrs old showering with their adult is free. Children under 18 must be helped by their adult if assistance is necessary. Shower Hours are Thurs - Sat 8a-4p. Noise restrictions?No restrictions on noise in the Wild Meadow. We ask in the quieter camping areas that activities simmer down in the evening, and that quiet time in the general camping area starts when the concerts are over. Want to drum all night and get loud and crazy? Take it to the Wild Meadow where you can express yourself to your heart’s content 24 hours a day. Fire restrictions?Please use existing fire rings only if building a campfire and extinguish with sand or water if you plan to leave it unattended for any time period. If you would like to bring your own enclosed, raised fire pit you MUST pre-register, pay a $30 fire permit fee, and sign a detailed waiver form accepting all liability for any wildfires or damages caused by your fire for any reason whatsoever. NO FIRE PERMITS GRANTED AT THE GATE - if we are sold out on the website, then you may not bring your own fire pit. Unapproved fire pits are grounds for immediate removal from the festival. A fire extinguisher and other supplies are required for fire pit permit holders. If you do not have a fire extinguisher, you may borrow one for a $25 deposit, fully refundable if returned unused and in the same condition it was checked out. Refund policy?All purchases are non-refundable. Tickets may be transferred to another person if a request is approved by April 30, 2012. Any requests to transfer tickets should be emailed to beltania@beltania.org prior to April 30, 2012. Are there special camping areas for RV's or those who need handicapped parking?There are four camping areas suitable for RV's. See the Facility Map for information on this as well as handicapped parking. AFTER PURCHASING YOUR RV SPACE, YOU WILL BE CONTACTED TO SELECT YOUR SPECIFIC SPOT. There are no hookups. There is a public dump station at the gas station at Hwy 50 and Hwy 115. IF YOU ARRIVE IN A VEHICLE that does not fit in a regular parking space on the side of the road or in one of the few parking lots, and have NOT purchased an RV lot space and all the RV lots are full, you WILL be turned away to go camp in a nearby camping facility located 30 minutes away where they charge about $30+ per night. So why are we charging for an RV space if there are no hookups? We do pay for road grading and trimming of the trees and vegetation along the road so that these larger vehicles can get through. Also, we save the flattest, nicest camping spots and you get 20'x50', not just a small tent area. This is parking and camping area that other festivalgoers can't use and we have additional staff needed to measure, mark, and rope off your space. Can tent campers reserve an RV space? Sure. If you have a group and want to camp and park together, this is a good way to do it. RV Lot 1: This area is on the west side of Ridge Road. It has the most open space and the flattest, largest RV spaces. Those with very large vehicles, limited turnaround or backing up ability, or are camping with other tent campers or more than one car in your party, should try this area. RV Lot 2: Across from RV1 on the east side of Ridge Road. This area backs to trees and shrubs and offers more privacy but slightly smaller spaces. This area is near the Faerie Glen, a space set aside for small group private rituals or other spontaneous events needing a ritual space. RV Lot 3: Adjacent to the Maypole Circle (behind where the stage used to be) is RV3. This area is the closest to the Center of the Universe/main festival grounds and it is the closest RV lot to the restrooms. Family Handicapped RV/Camping Lot: Families of young children and those with disabilities are encouraged to try our Reserved Camping Area, adjacent to the Maypole Circle area. This space accomodates RVs as well as tent camping/car camping. It's an area that will be roped off, and is a special-request area for those with small children, who would like handicapped-accessible camping and parking, or who have any mobility impairment issues. That area is in the middle of everything, semicircular surrounded by trees and bushes, and open on the one side to the community center, stage, food, and is adjacent to the merchant's village and info booth. Are there any hotels in the area? For those who wish to attend Beltania but would like an alternative to camping, there is the option of hotel lodging. The closest hotel to Florence Mountain Park is the Super 8 in Florence, CO and this is our recommended hotel. It is about 10 miles and 15 minutes away. We have arranged for a discounted rate for all Beltania guests, just mention when you make your reservation that you are with Beltania and call them directly to reserve your room. They give Beltania guests great rates. 4540 State Highway 120 Other hotels which are in the Canon City areas, about a half hour from the festival. We have not arranged special rates with them. American Inn 719-269-1158 Other Important Info:We’ll post info here as it becomes available. |