FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You are listening to "The winds of Freedom" By "Timlin & Kane"

WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION FEES AND WHAT DO THEY COVER?

 

Admission fees are those fees necessary to cover the cost of entertainment, parking and costs associated with operating the festival including insurances, rental fees, and security.

The admission fees are as follows:

Adults: $9.00 per person at the gate,

         $7.00 in advance
Children 12 & under free

 

CAN I BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE?

 

Requests for advance ticket purchases can be made by downloading a Request for Advance Tickets Form and mailing the form, along with a s.a.s.e., to the address listed on the form.

WHERE IS THE FESTIVAL HELD?

 

St. Benedict’s Picnic Grove 4541 Morgantown Rd, Plowville, PA  (Route 10 between Reading and Morgantown).  See the Yahoo Map link for driving directions to the grove.

 

WHAT TO BRING?

 

Lawn Chairs (to watch the entertainment, the pavilion gets crowded early)

Kids (it's a family event with entertainment and stands for children too); Strollers;

Umbrellas (only hand-held ones - no huge ones);

Money ( There are no ATM's located on grounds – most vendors accept credit cards);

 

WHAT NOT TO BRING?

 

No pets (service animals excepted);

No outside food or drink (we've got plenty of great stuff reasonably priced to choose from);

No coolers or thermoses (we really do have a great selection of food and drink) besides, it is against the law to bring alcoholic beverages on the picnic grounds.  The festival committee has purchased a temporary license to sell beer, both domestic and imported;

No big view-blocking umbrellas;

No tents or canopies (except those provided by the festival committee)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

LODGING 

 

There are two Motels or Inns within three miles of the festival grounds.  Please use the following links to learn more about the anemities offered by each. These are the closest, however there are many more in the Reading area that can be accessed through hotels.com or expedia.com.

 

The Motor Inns closest to the festival grounds are: 

The Red Carpet Inn

3736 Main St.

Morgantown Pa 19543

610-286-5061

or

Economy Motel

65 Minewiew Drive

Morgantown Pa 19543-0469

610-286-5521

 

PARKING AVAILABILITY?

 

St. Benedicts Picnic Grove has ample free parking for approximately 300 vehicles surrounding the grounds.  Limited Handicapped parking is also available. . We encourage car-pooling to allow more patrons on the grounds and to allow others to park in the festival parking lot. If you’re coming alone, consider inviting a friend or relative.

 

Once again we will offer the free Oysterfest Shuttle from a parking area outside of St. Benedict's Grove.  The shuttle parking lot will be located on Route 10 about 1/5 miles from the Morgantown Interchange of the Turnpike, and about 3 miles south of the Festival Site. (click here for map)  Signs will be posted at the entrance of the Shuttle Lot and there will be parking police on site during the day to maintain traffic flow and oversee the lot and the vehicles parked there.  The Shuttle Bus will begin pickups at 11:30am and will continue until the last pickup at 8:30pm.  The Shuttle will continue returning patrons to the lot until 9:30pm or until all the patrons are returned to their vehicles.  Although there are no identifiable signs on the lot, it was previously an old pool and water park, so please look for the Celtic Oyster Festival Shuttle Parking Signs at the entrance on Route 10. Please note however, that the bus will not be equipped with Handicap Accessible Lifts. Parking on this additional lot is at your own risk. BCOF is not responsible for vehicles and vehicle contents.

 

St. Benedict’s Church parking lot also has some parking area available during the day, with the remaining spaces available after 6PM due to Mass parking requirements. Please observe the areas marked for parking and ride the shuttle or proceed to the registration area at the Festival Entrance off Route 10 when you enter the grounds.

 

ALL FESTIVAL PATRONS MUST BE WEARING A FESTIVAL WRISTBAND PROVIDED AT THE REGISTRATION STAND. YOU WILL BE CHECKED FOR THIS WRISTBAND DURING THE DAY. 

ENTERTAINMENT?

 

See the Entertainment Section of the Website for details of performers and check out the full schedule to see when your favorite band is playing. There is also a listing of the times broken down by venue on the main page in a marquee scroll near the bottom of the page.

 

VOLUNTEERS WELCOME?

 

Bless your heart. We are always looking for volunteers – please contact our Volunteer Coordinators Terry and Tom.  Complete a volunteer form and let them know when you can work and what areas you're interested in and they'll get you all set up.

CONTACT INFORMATION

I'D LIKE TO BE A VENDOR, HOW DO I APPLY?

 

We're just about full for 2008. If - and only if - you are an Irish or Celtic-themed vendor, you can apply by submitting a Vendor Application for the 2008 Festival to the attention of coordinator Sue Jacoby .

HOW DO I CONTACT THE FESTVAL COMMITTEE?

 

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 15102, Reading, PA 19612-5102

Phone 610-562-5765
E-mail here:bciafa@celticoysterfest.com

 

CAN I SOLICIT ON THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS?

 

No leafleting or soliciting is allowed on the festival grounds, except by those vendors approved and screened by the Festival Committee.

 

OUR FAVORITE LINKS

IF YOU WOULD LIKE A LINK ON OUR PAGE PLEASE SEND YOUR URL TO jgmccjr@hotmail.com

Irish Emigrant on Line

Kilts & Scottish Highland games

Tartan's & Scottish Information