**CITY OF TIMMINS MEDIA RELEASE**

The countdown is on! The Stars and Thunder Timmins International Fireworks Competition and Music Festival – Presented by Goldcorp-Porcupine Gold Mines kicks off this coming Sunday, June 24!

The Festival website (www.starsandthunder.com), features a wide variety of information, including a broad section of Frequently Asked Questions, however, in anticipation of the event, the City would like to ensure all attendants and residents are aware of the following:

Water Refill Stations:
– Sponsor MNP, has contracted the Quench Buggy, who will be providing one four-spigot water refill station in the VIP area and one eight-spigot refill station in the General Admission area.
– With the addition of these refill stations, the City of Timmins will allow CLEAR, EMPTY, PLASTIC BOTTLES into the park

Parking:
– Parking downtown will be extremely limited
– FREE parking will be provided for out-of-town guests on Vipond Road and at the Spruce Street South snowdump. A shuttle will be provided from this location, and the schedule is posted on the festival website (http://www.starsandthunder.com/transportation/)
– See Festival Maps under the Info tab on the Festival website

Shuttle Routes and Transit:
– FREE Transit and Handy Transit will be provided from June 24 to June 30 from noon until midnight. Route guides are posted to the Stars and Thunder website (http://www.starsandthunder.com/transportation/). Please note, as per usual, Handy Transit trips must be booked prior to the event
– First Student –Timmins shuttle information is posted on the Stars and Thunder website
– On Canada Day, Timmins Transit will operate a Sunday service and FREE rides
– Full shuttle details are posted to the festival website

Brunette Road:
– To minimize the risk to public safety, which includes all pedestrian and vehicular traffic, Brunette Road will be converted to a one-way thoroughfare from 8am on Friday, June 22 until 6pm on Wednesday, July 4 – restricted to southbound vehicular traffic ONLY from Algonquin Boulevard to Second Avenue
– This will reduce congestion and facilitate pedestrian crossing and feature controlled drop-off and pick-up zones

– All business entrances will remain accessible and signs will be posted indicating no left turns when vehicles are exiting properties on the west side of Brunette Road. Water Tower Road will also remain accessible to those with expressed permission

– Timmins Police officers will be on hand to direct traffic in high density areas to facilitate the effective flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic

Dropping off/Picking up passengers:
– Controlled drop-off and pick up zones will be clearly indicated on Brunette Road

Accessibility:
– The City strives to create a festival that people of all abilities can attend, which will include the following features:
? Pick-up/drop-off located at the festival gates
? Handy Transit services offered (see Shuttle Routes and Transit section for details)
? The municipal lot on the corner of Brunette Road and Second Avenue will be the designated accessible parking lot (see Festival Maps under the Info tab on the website)
? Designated accessible entrance: each person will be allowed one caretaker or family member to use entryway
? Support person(s) are required to pay full admission
? Accessible pathway(s) leading to all accessible features such as viewing platform, grandstands, washrooms and vendors
? Viewing patform (40ft x 20ft) for mobility devices available on a first-come basis (one space for a support person)
? Accessible washrooms and privacy tent
? Accessible volunteers who will provide support and light push service and/or transportation
– The website’s FAQ section offers specific accessibility questions and answers
– The full Accessibility Plan will be available on the Festival website

Noise by-law/Pets:
– The festival will include eight days of live music at Hollinger Park, and four nights of fireworks display being launched from the south-west section of the Hollinger Mine berm.
– Festival start times vary depending on the day, with gates opening at 3pm on weekdays; 1pm on Sunday, June 24 and Saturday, June 30; and noon on Sunday, July 1
– Fireworks shows will be expected to start at approximately 10:45pm following the headliner on June 24, 26 and 28, and July 1. Brunette Road will be closed at this time.
– While pets (other than service animals) are not permitted within the festival grounds, it is not encouraged to bring them to the fireworks display. We understand that some pets may be sensitive to the sounds of fireworks. There are many ideas online as to how to keep them calm

Wristbands and Wristband Exchange:
– The festival will be equipped for anyone without a ticket to purchase one on-site with cash, debit and credit
– Wristbands will be provided at the gates of the festival. Everyone will be required to be wearing their wristband in order to re-enter the festival grounds.
– We recognize that some people may need to remove their festival wristband for work or other purposes
– An area will be set up in the merchandise tent where people can pick up a card, on which we will record their name and a photo ID number. Re-entry will require the card, associated photo ID and the removed wristband.
– Single-day attendees will be permitted to leave the park and re-enter, should they need/wish to do so, as long as their wristband remains in tact

Ticket Upgrade:
– Any and all ticket upgrades can be done on site

Festival Rules:
We can’t wait to welcome you to a fun festival filled with amazing entertainment, but we ask you to please be respectful of your surroundings, other festival goers, and festival staff to ensure that everyone has the time of their life. Please follow these guidelines while attending Stars and Thunder:

? Please recycle and dispose of all litter. No one likes a dirty festival site!

? Please respect the Hollinger Park and the festival site by leaving it as you find it upon entering. Do not remove signs, banners, or posters from the festival site.

? Smoking (including vapes) is not permitted in parks, and exceptions will not be made for this festival. A designated smoking area will be clearly identified.

? Please be polite to festival staff and festival-goers. Do not push your way through crowds, cut into lines, etc.

? Have fun, but please monitor your consumption of alcohol and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and juice throughout the day. Make sure to take breaks from the sun if needed.

? Any reckless behaviour, or standing on chairs will result in removal from the festival.

? If you appear to be under the influence of intoxicating substances, entry will not be granted, and you risk being removed from festival grounds.

? All festival goers are subject to police/security search upon entrance. This is to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.

? The following items are NOT PERMITTED on festival grounds: Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, Aerosol cans, Outside food or beverage, Glass and metal bottles and cans, Coolers, Cameras and video cameras, Megaphones, Musical instruments, Fireworks, Flags and banners, Beach balls, Soccer Balls, Frisbees (etc.), Umbrellas, Skateboards, Animals (except service animals, however, due to the loud nature of the event, we do not recommend bringing service animals), Large backpacks, Tents, Laser pointers, Selfie sticks or similar monopods, Items intended for sale or promotion, Firearms, Knives or Weapons of any kind, any object that can be used to cause bodily harm, Drones, Remote controlled toys, Wagons, all other chairs other than those pictured here: