Alabaster CityFest FAQ
Q: I’d like to mail a check to cover my CityFest vendor registration fee. Where do I mail it?
A: No problem. We do not reserve vendor booth space until payment is received, so due to timing, we prefer credit card payments. But you can mail a check if you prefer. Mail Payment to:
Alabaster Arts Council, PO BOX 309, Alabaster, AL 35007
Q: Can I bring a cooler to CityFest?
A: No. Coolers are prohibited. Vendors are available all day, providing a wide variety of food and drinks. If you are a vendor and you need to keep your workers hydrated, that’s a different story. We do allow vendors who are working a booth to bring what they need to keep their staff hydrated. Your small cooler should stay at your booth at all times! Keep in mind that Coke is a title sponsor. Any branded bottles of water or soft drinks should be Coke products. If you are an attendee needing to keep baby formula cool or some sort of dietary supplement or medication, a soft shell cooler for necessary items is fine. The reason for this rule is that this event is FREE for the community. A substantial portion of funding comes from food and beverage vendors who pay a healthy fee to be there. We hope attendees will frequent these vendors so they continue to participate in the event, which again, helps fund the event. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING!
Q: Can I bring my pet to CityFest?
A: No. As cute and sweet as they might be, pets are prohibited. It’s not because we don’t love pets, it’s because it’s too hot for them. And where will they potty? And there are lots of loud noises, screaming children and chaotic events taking place. What happens if they get scared and accidentally harm someone out of instinct? Please leave your pets at home.
Q: Is smoking allowed at CityFest?
A: No. Smoking is prohibited by City Ordinance.
Q: Are firearms allowed at the event?
A: No firearms or weapons allowed at CityFest.
Q: How can I purchase VIP passes?
A: VIP passes are reserved for sponsors. We do not sell VIP passes to the general public. If you are interested in supporting CityFest, visit our sponsor benefits page and review the sponsor application. Sponsorship levels start with a Patron level sponsorship ($500), which would provide you with 4 VIP passes. Anyone can purchase this — a business or an individual. On occasion, we do offer VIP passes within promotional campaigns. These are generally announced on our Facebook page. Be sure to follow us on Facebook to catch these opportunities.
Q: What time does it start?
A: Gates are open at 9AM. There will be hundreds of vendors (merchandise, food trucks, treats, service providers) available between 9AM -6PM. Several food vendors will stay open until the very last performance. The Cruise-In Car Show is open from 9AM – 12PM. KidsFest is open from 9AM until dark. The organized kid’s activities and crafts are from 9AM until 3PM, or when supplies run out. Music begins mid-day, with the last performance starting around 9PM (see the full lineup here). The entire event is over around 11PM.
Q: Will there be plenty of food for lunch and dinner?
A: We have a large variety of hot foods available from food trucks. They will be serving from 9AM until 6PM, and several are committed to serve will continue to stay open until 9PM or later.
Q: What is Alabaster CityFest?
A: Alabaster CityFest is one of the state’s premier FREE family music festivals. Each year, our festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors, not only from our local community, but from all across the southeast. Our festival grows larger every year and is 100% volunteer operated and funded by our sponsors.
Q: Where is Alabaster CityFest?
A: Alabaster Cityfest takes place at Thompson High School (1921 Warrior Parkway) in Alabaster, AL, a suburb of Birmingham. Get directions.
Q: Where do I park?
A: There are several places to park during this event. We have FREE Public Parking, special VIP Parking, and allocated parking for our Vendors. Go to our Directions page for the details.
Q: How much are CityFest tickets?
A: Alabaster CityFest is a FREE event – no ticket required – just show up at the gate! There is never a charge for parking, shuttles, admission or entrance to the KidsFest area.
Q: Can I bring a tent?
A: You are welcome to bring a tent or umbrella to shield the sun throughout the day. We just ask you to be respectful of other attendees. You can’t block the view of the stage. All tents and umbrellas must come down by 5PM. You are also welcome to bring chairs and blankets.
Q. Nothing is free — What’s the catch?
A. There’s no catch. This event is truly free…to you! This fun-filled day of entertainment is made possible by hundreds of volunteers donating their skills and time, and by generous sponsors donating 100% of the cost, equipment, advertising, VIP food and services needed to entertain tens of thousands of loyal patrons. So be sure you thank each Alabaster CityFest Sponsor who made this day possible. Let them know you love Alabaster CityFest and you appreciate their generosity! Here’s the BUT…we will have hundreds of vendors, so it would be wise to bring some cash to shop for unique merchandise and food.
Q: Do you recommend children at the festival?
A: Absolutely! 100%! Alabaster CityFest is one of the state’s premier family festivals. We are proud of our KidsFest area that includes inflatables, healthy eating demonstrations, a Lowe’s Build-it Workshop, hands-on arts & crafts and various activities. For added safety, the Alabaster Police Department will have a table set up for parents to obtain an armband for their child. You can write your phone number on the armband to help locate and reunite any wandering child with their guardian. It’s also a great idea to take a photo of your child that day, in the clothes they are wearing.
Q: Is the event handicap accessible?
A: The venue does have a parking area dedicated to those in wheelchairs, but the main event is in a grassy area with normal terrain variations. Review the map found on the Visitors page to find wheelchair-only parking. We recommend those with a handicap, but not confined to a wheelchair, to park in the public parking areas where shuttle buses pick-up. The shuttle buses will drop you off at the main entrance of CityFest. Please understand that this event is located outdoors — there is gravel, grass and slight elevations. There are several obstacles to work around and the event is spread out over an 8 acre field.
Q: Since the event is free, do I need to bring money?
A: Although there is no fee to park, use the shuttle buses, enter CityFest, play in the KidsFest area, or enjoy music all-day…we do recommend bringing money to shop with our vendors. There are lots of food vendors, arts & craft vendors, and vendors selling unique merchandise in the vendor area.
Q: Will there be an ATM at the event?
A: No. Now that nearly every purchasing opportunity allows patrons to use a card or some sort of tap to pay option, we no longer provide an ATM on-site. If you do need cash, feel free to stop by Central State Bank on your way to the event. They are conveniently located at the corner of Hwy 119 and Kent Dairy Road (9331 Highway 119, Alabaster, AL).
Q: What do I need to bring for the concert?
A: Bring a chair or blanket. Tents and umbrellas may be used for shade during the early portion of the day, but must come down before the concerts begin. Don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen — and maybe bug spray (this is the deep South)!!!
Q: Are restrooms available?
A: Yes. Portable restrooms are provided on-site. There are rows of porta-potties on each side of the field.
Q: Will there be security or medical personnel on-site?
A: Absolutely! The Alabaster Police Department will have several officers on duty for the event as well as the Alabaster Fire Department for any medical emergency.
Q: Will my bag be searched?
A: The Alabaster Police Department may do random bag searches at various entrance points.
Q: Where is First-Aid located?
A: First-aid services is handled by the Alabaster Fire Department. See the map on the visitors page to find the location.
Q: Where is Lost and Found located?
A: Lost and Found is located with the Alabaster Police Department. See the map on the visitors page to find the location.
Q: Are there lodging recommendations for this event?
A: Visit the Discover Shelby website for lodging recommendations.
Q: Is this event organized by the City of Alabaster?
A: No. Although we are very thankful for the City of Alabaster and their generous sponsorship, which helps us acquire nationally recognized performers, Alabaster CityFest is organized by the Alabaster Arts Council.