Early birds get first S&T tickets for 2018

Before 5:00am. Before the sun rises.

Even before certain radio personalities got in the building to help you start your day, a couple eager Timmins residents were already at the Archie Dillon Sportsplex at the front of the line to purchase Stars and Thunder 2018 tickets.

It’s nothing new for Line Levasseur, who was first in line last year too.

This time around, she let her friend Karen Chisholm know and the two of them stood in line together Thursday morning.

“We didn’t even know we were all going (to the festival in 2017),” Chisholm said about last year’s experience, “But then we saw each other at the park…and it was lots of fun so we’re just going to continue the fun by getting in line this year.”

But why so early?

“This is the experience,” added Levasseur, “It’s an adventure and it’s fun.”

When the doors opened, the two were buying in bulk for themselves and loved ones.

Levasseur got eight VIP passes for the week, while Chisholm got her hands on three of them (plus an eight day general admission pass).

And the two of them have their favourites—Levasseur is eyeing the headliner Bryan Adams while Chisholm’s preference is Blue Rodeo—but they’re both happy about the lineup overall.

“We really appreciate that Mayor Black put this together,” said Chisholm, “(He had) a lot of opposition last year, but I think he’s done a great job. There was that feeling of excitement in the city last year, and I think it’s going to carry on again this year.”

As for advice for the 2018 festival, the both of them say to bring extra clothing.

And though they mention the city’s efforts to get more food vendors, the two add to eat before you go just in case.

Tickets are on sale at the Archie Dillon Sportsplex until 8:00pm for Timmins residents only. Afterwards, tickets will be on sale Friday at noon for the rest of the world.

And that’s when sales will shift over to city hall.

Beginning next week, tickets will be available during regular business hours at city hall.

You can also get tickets online at StarsAndThunder.com

Early bird ticket prices are $275 for an 8-day general admission pass or $450 for an 8-day VIP pass. These prices are valid until April 30, at which point they will increase. Individual day passes are also available, with prices varying based on the day.

If you buy a ticket the first two days, you’ll also be entered into a draw for one of ten meet and greet packages. And there’s also a draw for one of 25 festival t-shirts for those same people.