Health & Safety Info

What Happens if There is Inclement Weather Bourbon & Beyond is a rain or shine event, however, there are several instances in which the festival may be paused, evacuated, or canceled due to inclement weather, including (but not limited to): severe thunderstorms, lightning, high winds, hail, flooding, or as directed by local emergency personnel. Festival management is constantly monitoring weather conditions and consulting with the National Weather Service, as well as a private weather service, to ensure the safest event possible. If an evacuation due to inclement weather becomes necessary fans will either be advised to temporarily seek shelter or that the festival is cancelled for the remainder of the day. This notification will be made by audio and video announcements from the stages, the Bourbon & Beyond Mobile App push notifications, and social media. We recommend fans download the Bourbon & Beyond Mobile App and follow our socials to stay up to date with festival communication.

If the Evacuation is Temporary, Seek Shelter Please be advised that tents, the VIP viewing platform, and temporary structures are not safe places to seek shelter. Safe shelter instructions are below. Your designated shelter location is based on how you arrived at the festival. Festival staff will be available to assist you. Fans who parked: Fans who parked will return to their vehicle to seek shelter. Routes to return to parking will be posted to assist you. Fans who arrived by drop off or Rideshare: Fans that do not have access to a vehicle will seek shelter in Freedom Hall, located on the North End of Freedom Way. The entrance and routes are marked on the festival map and evacuation route signage will be available for assistance. Fans who are camping: Fans who are camping will return to the campground to seek shelter either in their vehicle or seek shelter in Freedom Hall. These locations are marked on the camping map and signage will be posted. Campers should not shelter in their tents. Fans with disabilities: Fans that may require additional time or assistance to evacuate are asked to check in at the Access Center upon arrival for additional information. After a Temporary Evacuation When fans are advised to seek temporary shelter, our intent is to restart the festival if weather permits. Fans will be advised if/when it is safe to return to the festival. Fans will be given ample time to re-enter the grounds before music will resume. If it is determined that, after a temporary evacuation, the festival is not able to re-start, fans will be notified that the festival is cancelled and asked to exit the grounds for the remainder of the day.

If the Festival is Cancelled Due to Weather If the festival is cancelled for the remainder of the day, fans are asked to safely exit the festival grounds. Fans who may not be able to easily exit may seek temporary shelter in Freedom Hall.

Prepare in Advance All Bourbon And Beyond fans are asked to have a personal safety plan in place. Your personal safety plan should include:

• Reviewing the festival map in advance
• Knowing your exits
• Knowing where to seek shelter during an evacuation
• Making a plan with everyone in your party on where to meet in the event of an evacuation.
• If you are parking at Kentucky Expo Center, please remember where you parked. We recommend that you pack and leave extra water in your car.
• If you use a rideshare service or get dropped off at Kentucky Expo Center, note the route to shelter in Freedom Hall.
• If you are camping, please place all non-tethered items in your vehicle before departing for the festival. During inclement weather, campers should seek shelter in their vehicle and NOT inside a tent. There are permanent structures available at the campgrounds that are designated as a safe place to shelter. These locations are noted on the camping map. In the event of inclement weather or any other emergency, campers will be notified via the campgrounds PA system and staff will be available to direct campers as needed.

What is Crowd Surfing? Crowd surfing occurs where a patron is lifted up onto the hands of other patrons, who then pass the surfer along the top of the crowd.  Surfing can take place anywhere in a general admission crowd. Crowd surfing most commonly (but not always) occurs in the areas directly in front of the stages. Surfing most commonly (but not always) travels from the back of the crowd TOWARDS the stage. What’s the big deal about Crowd Surfing? It is dangerous for both the surfer and other patrons. Crowd surfers have virtually no control of their bodies once they are above the crowd.  Surfers can be groped, hit, or dropped.  Although crowds experienced with surfers generally try to pass them towards the stage, there is no guarantee where or how the ride will end or how the surfer will find their friends in the crowd once they come down. Most of the audience is looking at the Stage!  Surfers literally put their health and safety in the hands of people they don’t know who are paying attention to something else. Surfers also endanger other people.  A crowd surfer struggling to stay aloft can kick someone in the head or poke them with their hands.  Surfing is especially dangerous during an artist’s set, when most patrons are facing the stage and the surfer is being passed from behind them. I don’t want to Crowd Surf!! What can I do? Be aware of your surroundings!  If Crowd Surfing is taking place near where you’re standing, and you are uncomfortable being in the proximity of such activities, find an alternate location from which to enjoy the performance!

We love our little music lovers, and we want them to stay safe and connected if y'all get separated! When you arrive to the festival, stop by the Info booth by the main festival entrance, directly in front of the GA entrance, to get a wristband that will help us contact you in the event you are separated. Remember, when registering your child’s wristband, you can add your contact information as an emergency contact! If you need any assistance with this, please head to the wristband help tent or the box office! Should you get separated, show your spawn where the medical tent is in front of the General Admission Info Booth as a meeting point for reunification.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any place where people gather. By attending Bourbon & Beyond, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19 and agree to waive all claims and potential claims against the City of Louisville, Jefferson County, the Kentucky Venues, Danny Wimmer Presents, LLC and their affiliated companies relating to such risks.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! You may bring in one factory-sealed bottle of water or an empty reusable bottle into the festival. Refill throughout the day with water at the hydration stations, courtesy of Louisville Pure Tap®️ provided by Louisville Water. Water & non-alcoholic beverages will be for sale at all concession stands.

Our team at DWP strives to provide a fun and safe atmosphere at Bourbon & Beyond. It is your job to be responsible while having a good time. Underage drinking is prohibited as well as drugs of any kind (incl. cannabis, cannabis products). If you plan to drink alcohol on grounds, please also keep hydrated. Water stations are FREE, utilize that option!

Louisville Metro Government and Emergency Ops Center has a program called “LENSAlert” that allows users to opt in to Emergency Messaging and Severe Weather Notifications. If you would like to receive notifications, please TEXT BOURBON to 67283 to start receiving emergency notifications.

While there will be security onsite, Bourbon & Beyond cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. When leaving your campsite and/or vehicle, please take valuables with you and lock your vehicle. Lockers will be available in General Admission, Mint VIP, & Angel’s Envy Beyond VIP, and will become available to purchase closer to the event. A detailed list of what is and is not allowed in the festival grounds can be found on our FESTIVAL INFO page.

Employees, contractors, vendors, artists, and guests are encouraged to report any interaction that makes them uncomfortable in any way. If you see something, say something. Security exists for the safety and well-being of all Bourbon & Beyond participants. Flag down the nearest staff member, medical professional, or security guard if anything feels out of place or suspicious.