The Big Stomp takes place on a stunning nature preserve located at Jones Fields – 8401 Dawson Hill Road in Louisville, Kentucky, 40299.

This 90-acre preserve is maintained under regulations to forever ensure its undeveloped beauty. The Big Stomp team works hard to put on a wonderful experience while at the same time making sure we can leave the land untouched. Please, as a festival goer, we kindly ask you to do your part, and leave the land un-littered or otherwise harmed by your attendance.

The Big Stomp begins on Friday, August 18, 2023.  Check back for gate opening times.

The camping and RV fields will open on Friday, August 18th at 12:00-noon.

Check back for the full schedule.

The festival field will close at midnight on Saturday, August 19th. All guests will have to leave the field at this time.

The camping and RV fields close on Sunday at 2:00pm, so please be packed up and out by then. Please remember to leave your area as clean and beautiful as it was when you arrived. A dumpster and trash cans will be available for your use.

TYPES OF TICKETS:  Please check back.  We will be announcing ticketing soon.

NON-REFUNDABLE:  All ticket sales are final.  There are no refunds on tickets for any reason.

SUBJECT TO SEARCH AT THE GATE:  We do respect your privacy, however for the safety of everyone at the festival, we reserve the right to search items you carry in or your person for weapons, outside alcohol, and any other prohibited items.  Please respect our festival rules.

TICKET SALES AT THE GATE:  Tickets will be for sale at the gate as long as they don’t sell out during pre-fest sales. Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate each day of the festival until the festival is sold out. The cost of buying tickets day of, will be more expensive than if you buy them in advance through the The Big Stomp website, and you face the possibility of tickets selling out, so it is a good idea to purchase your ticket beforehand.

If you plan to tent-camp or RV-camp, we encourage you to buy your pass for camping before you arrive.  Camping and RV passes do sell out.  We would hate you to pack everything up and then find out we are sold out.

RE-ENTRY:  You will be able to re-enter during any of the hours that the festival gates are open.  You will need to show your wrist band for re-entry.  You will get this wrist band when you first present your ticket at the front gate during festival check-in.

Please keep in mind, when re-entering you will be subject to the same search for non-allowed items just as you were searched during your original entry.  If you left the field with a drink or food, you will not be able to re-enter with those items.  No food will be allowed upon re-entry and a maximum of one factory sealed water bottle no larger than 1 liter or 34 oz.

ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 17, 2023.

APPLICATION:  To be a volunteer, please complete the form which will be posted soon.  Be advised that you will need to pay an application fee.  We will hold your credit card information on file so that in the event you do not fulfill your volunteer duty, we will charge you the price of a daily ticket or a weekend ticket depending on our cancellation policy below.  You will receive a confirmation email once we receive your application.

COST & BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING:  All applicants who volunteer for at least one 4-hour shift will receive a 2-day pass to the festival.   All volunteers will receive one complementary parking pass for each 4-hour shift scheduled.  If you are attending the festival both days, but only volunteering one day, you will need to purchase a parking pass for the second day.  Those volunteering before or after the festival will receive parking passes based on the number of shifts scheduled.

APPLICATION FEE:  We will require a $35 application fee.  The application fee must be paid online with a credit card.  The application fee will be refunded to the credit card on file after completion of your designated shift(s).  In the event you do not complete your designated shift the credit card on file, will be charged, the price of a weekend pass at the gate ticket price, less the application fee.  Please read the information about cancellation.

SCHEDULING OF YOUR SHIFT:  Please give us some time to process your application and get you tucked into a team that best meets your request.  This may take a couple/few weeks, but we will respond no later than 3 to 4 weeks, or 2 weeks before the festival if you submit after July 15^th.   **Returning volunteers will receive preference if applying to a team they’ve worked with in previous years.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERING:  During your volunteer shift, you must be wearing closed toe shoes.  If protective gloves are called for, we will provide those.  You will be asked to wear a lanyard identifying you as a volunteer which you will turn in at the end of your shift.

CANCELLING A VOLUNTEER SHIFT:  Sometimes life throws us a curve ball and plans have to change.  We understand that.  However, we also need to be able to count on scheduled volunteers and if there are cancellations, the festival incurs costs.  If you have submitted an application, but then become unable to volunteer, please email BOTH the Volunteer Coordinator (tom@thepetefoundation.org) and your specific Team Leader right away so that we can work on refilling your position. Depending on how close to the festival weekend you cancel you may be charged a cancellation fee.  Cancellations will be handled in the following way.

If you cancel on or before July 16th, 2023 you will not be charged any additional fee. However, your application fee is not refunded.

If you cancel between July 17^th and August 17^th, we charge you the price of a Friday gate ticket price, and retain your $35 application fee.

If you do not show up for you’re volunteer shift as scheduled, or you show up but don’t complete the shift, you will be charged a full weekend at-the-gate price for a festival ticket in addition to your $35 application fee.

VOLUNTEERING WITH FRIENDS OR A GROUP:  On your application, you can name two additional people you’d like to volunteer with. Make sure to coordinate with your friends, name each other on each application, apply to the same stomp teams, and provide the same availability. We want people to have fun and we make our best effort to accommodate these preferences, but this is not guaranteed.  If you are part of an organization that would like to volunteer in a group, please indicate that on your application and we will reach out as quickly as we can to see if we can work with your organization.  This will be based on the volunteer needs of the festival, so we encourage you to reach out about this group volunteering as soon as possible.  When we have fewer shifts remaining open, it is difficult for us to schedule a group.

YES we are family friendly!  We welcome guests of all ages and we encourage you to bring your family! Any guest over age 10 will require a ticket.  Children under 10 are admitted free with a ticketed adult.  Limit 2 children per ticketed adult.

A portion of proceeds from all Big Stomp Youth Tickets will go to Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation.

GENERAL PARKING:  This year, we are instituting a fee for parking.  Only one parking pass is needed for a vehicle.  We are encouraging our festival guests to carpool, and we know the day will come when not all guest cars will be able to park on the property.  Only passenger vehicles are allowed in the parking areas.  RV’s, box trucks or larger vehicles are not allowed in our preferred or general parking area. These vehicles will need an RV camping pass.

THERE IS NO NEAR BY PARKING.  NO STREET PARKING.

DAWSON HILL ROAD IS A 2 LANE STREET WITH NO SHOULDER.  DO NOT PLAN TO LEAVE YOUR CAR ON THE STREET.

ALL VEHICLES IMPROPERLY PARKED OR LEFT ON THE STREET WILL BE PROMPTLY TOWED.

PREFERRED PARKING:  Big Bundle ticket buyers who purchase a parking pass will receive a preferred parking pass.  This means you will be allowed to park in our closest parking field.

PARKING AT YOUR CAMP OR RV SITE:  Tent Campers and RV Campers will be able to park one passenger vehicle at their site.  The cost to park this one vehicle is included in the camping/RV pass fee.  No box trucks or vehicles other than passenger vehicles are allowed in camping, and other then the one RV at an RV site, no box trucks or vehicles other than passenger vehicles are allowed.

VOLUNTEER PARKING:  Volunteers will have free parking for any day they are volunteering.  If a volunteer is attending the festival two days, but only volunteering one day, they will need a parking pass for the second day.

No pets are allowed.

Although we fully understand the love and comfort our pets can offer, pets will not be permitted.

The conservation easement which controls use of the property prohibits pets on the property in conformance with Kentucky regulations regarding animals on State nature preserves.  This is to ensure that native wildlife is not disturbed and to promote visitor safety and enjoyment.

Service animals are allowed.  This is in accordance with Federal ADA regulations.  Please keep in mind this is limited to a service animal as defined by ADA Regulations. Animals not meeting the definition of a service animal as defined by the ADA, will be turned away at the gate.

Although we fully understand the role an emotional support animal can play, these are not service animals as defined by ADA regulations.  In order to balance the safety and wellbeing of all attendees and the land, we must ask that you attend the festival without an emotional support animal.

Norton Children’s will have their emotional support dogs in a designated area and you are free to visit these dogs at any time and as often as you would like.

To make sure you have everything you need at The Big Stomp, feel free to bring the following items:

• Sunscreen
• A hat for shade
• Sunglasses
• A single bottle of water (only factory sealed water bottles allowed)
• Backpacks (subject to searches)
• Flashlight / lantern / headlamp (and extra batteries!)
• Picnic blankets / lawn chairs (subject to searches)
• Your favorite hoodie
• Bug spray (we recommend without DEET – be green!)
• Rain gear
• Yoga mats (in case you decide to do some yoga with us!)
• Mobile phone cameras and point and shoot cameras with attached lenses are permitted.  Professional cameras with detachable lenses are prohibited unless you have a media pass.

Please leave the following items at home:

• All items are subject to search and this prohibited item list is subject to change.
• Outside food and drink
• Dogs or Pets
• Glass bottles or containers
• Pop-up tents
• Coolers
• Multi-pack bottles of water
• Drones
• Professional cameras with detachable lenses
• Weapons
• Illegal or illicit substances of any kind
• Fireworks
• Fire starters
• No Illegal or unauthorized vending will be allowed for any purpose

ALLOWED AND PROHIBITED ITEMS FOR CAMPING:  If you are camping or bringing an RV, check out our FAQ’s for Camping to see what is allowed and not allowed.  Make sure you purchase the appropriate camping or RV pass.

CREDIT CARDS AND CASH:  Credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Apple pay, and cash will be taken throughout the festival. There will be ATMs available onsite.

TENT CAMPING:  Yes, we do have tent camping. You must buy a tent-camping pass. Buy your camping pass early.  There are limited spaces and they do sell out. Camping tickets can only be purchased with a 2-day festival ticket. All camping tickets are for Friday and Saturday. We don’t have one-night camping tickets.  You can have a single passenger vehicle at your camping site. You do not need to purchase a parking pass for this vehicle. Each camping space will be marked off to allow for one tent and one vehicle. No box trucks or vehicles other than a passenger vehicle are allowed in camping.

Please keep in mind, camping fields close on Sunday at 2:00pm, so please be packed up and out by then.  Please remember to leave your area as clean and beautiful as it was when you arrived.

RV CAMPING:  Yes, we do allow RV’s.  You must purchase an RV camping pass.  Buy your RV pass early.  There are limited spaces and they may sell out.  RV passes can only be purchased with a 2-day festival ticket. All RV passes are for Friday and Saturday. We don’t have one-night RV passes.

Please be aware:  there are no hookups for the RV.  Included in your RV pass, you may park one passenger vehicle at your RV site, and no parking pass will be required for this vehicle.  This passenger vehicle allowance does not include a box truck or anything other than a passenger vehicle.

Please keep in mind, the RV field closes on Sunday at 2:00pm, so please be packed up and out by then.  Please remember to leave your area as clean and beautiful as it was when you arrived.

OPENING TIMES FOR CAMPING AND RV FIELDS:  The earliest you will be allowed in to set up your RV or campsite is noon on August 18th.  Do not plan to arrive before this time.  We will have no place for you to await the camping field opening.

TICKETING REQUIREMENTS FOR CAMPERS:  Only one tent-camping ticket or one RV-camping ticket is required per tent or RV. One person should buy the reservation, and everyone else must buy a 2-day ticket or a Big Bundle ticket.  No one will be allowed in the camping or RV fields without a 2-day festival ticket or a Big Bundle ticket.

RESTROOM AND SHOWER AVAILABILITY:  There are plenty of porta pots in the camping area, including ADA assessable.  There will be showers available as well.  We can’t guarantee the temperature of the water.

NO FIRES ARE ALLOWED; for safety reasons, guests will NOT be permitted to have a fire for any reason.  No charcoal grills are allowed anywhere on the property.  On Friday and Saturday nights, The Big Stomp may host a fire in camping for those with a camping or RV pass. Only this fire hosted by The Big Stomp will be permitted and allowed.  Campers may not have a private or other community fire.

We encourage you to bring the following items for your camping and RV experience:

• Propane grills (no charcoal grills)
• Coolers (you will be allowed food and beverage at your site, but none can enter the festival field)
• Your tent, sleeping bag, pillow and all the stuff that will make your night’s sleep comfortable and cozy.
• Propane grills (no charcoal grills)
• Drinking water, however, potable water is available in the camping field
• Sunscreen
• A hat for shade
• Sunglasses
• Flashlight / lantern / headlamp (and extra batteries!)
• Picnic blankets / lawn chairs (subject to searches)
• Bug spray (we recommend without DEET – be green!)
• Rain gear
• Yoga mats (in case you decide to do some sunrise yoga!)
• Mobile phone cameras and point and shoot cameras with attached lenses are permitted.  Professional cameras with detachable lenses are prohibited unless you have a media pass.

You will not be allowed to have any of the following items in the Camping or RV areas of The Big Stomp:

• Dogs or Pets
• Glass bottles or containers
• Drones
• Professional cameras with detachable lenses
• Weapons
• Illegal or illicit substances of any kind
• Fireworks
• Fire starters
• No generators are allowed in Camping.

Alcohol will be sold at The Big Stomp.  You must have a legal ID showing your age as 21 or over to be able to purchase alcohol.  Please be responsible with your alcohol consumption and help to guide your friends.  The Big Stomp will be featuring our “If This Is You” project where we encourage you to reflect on whether you are drinking as a way to avoid or cope with an emotional or mental health issue. And of course, we have counselors and therapists on site if you want to talk.

Rain will not cancel The Big Stomp.  Come prepared. See what to bring in this FAQ section.

We have the luxury of being an outdoor event which inherently is safer for any situation involving communicable disease.  However, we continue to take any risk of Covid infection seriously.  The Big Stomp will look to the CDC and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for guidance.

If the Commonwealth of Kentucky requires the cancellation of The Big Stomp, on the dates as planned, the event will be rescheduled and all ticket buyers will be given the opportunity to use their ticket for the rescheduled event at no cost, or to receive a refund.

In accordance with Federal ADA regulations, service animals are allowed.  Please keep in mind this is limited to a service animal as defined by ADA Regulations. Please see the section about pets at the festival.

Guests with mobility limitations will be able to access every part of the festival grounds. However, some of the terrain is slightly inclined, so please take caution and ask a neighbor for assistance if needed.  There will be ADA restrooms available.  We will provide shuttle service to get you from parking to the festival field.  We encourage all guests with mobility limitations to enjoy The Big Stomp as much as anyone.

We work hard to curate the perfect food truck line-up each year for The Big Stomp.  In addition, each year we work through hundreds of inquiries from craft vendors to find the craft items we feel will best add to our festival goers experience.  If you think your food truck, or your craft items will add to The Big Stomp experience, please fill out an application (which will be posted soon) and submit it to us.   We do not accept vendors on a first-come first-served basis.  Rather we make selections based on who we feel will be the best fit.  Selections are made between April and July.

All press inquiries, click here to fill out our Press Application.