Getting Here

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Location

SideBurn is held approximately a 2-hour drive from Ottawa, a 3-hour drive from Toronto, and a 3.5-hour drive from Montreal. The only available method of transportation to the event is by car. We strongly encourage carpooling and recommend posting on the SideBurn Facebook group to source a driving partner, or adding your name to our carpooling sheet. If you’re able to offer a ride, please do–let’s help everyone get to SideBurn!

Tip: The address of the event will be sent to ticket holders along with a copy of your tickets a few days before the event.

Purchasing Supplies

As you approach the event, consider supporting a local business and purchasing items in the village of Newburgh or Camden East. Please refer to the chart below for a list of locations:

Square Boy Pizza/McCormicks

Address: 2561 County Rd 4, Camden East, ON K0K 1J0
Available Items: Gas, propane, some groceries, boots, gloves, ice, liquor, and pizza.

Hilltop Variety

Address: 2068 County Rd 1, Newburgh, ON K0K 2S0
Available Items: Liquor, beer, gas, diesel, propane, groceries, and ice.

For more options a bit further out and along the route from Toronto, take the Napanee exit from the 401 (Exit 579) for a Walmart, Canadian Tire, Grocery, Gas, LCBO, and more. There are also inns and motels nearby should you be too tired to make the drive home after the event.

Please be respectful when driving through small towns and be aware that some of these roads are unpaved, so be prepared for potential mud and gravel.

Tip: There are no in-and-out privileges from the event unless absolutely necessary (e.g., medical reasons), so ensure that all your supplies are purchased before entering the site. There is no on-site sales other than ice, which is available at HIVE with cash or e-transfer, and no access to hookups or pump-outs for RVs.

Radical self-reliance means making your own plan for these things before you arrive!

Vehicle Passes

Every vehicle through the gates of the event needs a vehicle pass, with the exception of motorcycles and bicycles. We recommend carpooling with campmates, friends, or family as there are fewer vehicle passes than tickets.

Large vehicles may not be permitted on the field outside of the RV camping area. Our experience has shown that in the case of bad weather they are very likely to damage the road, gate, or–worst case–get stuck in the field.

Gate Hours

Before Thursday noon: Early Access Passes only (advance permission required); all others will be turned away.
Thursday: Noon – Midnight
Friday: 8 AM – Midnight
Saturday: 8 AM – 4 PM
Sunday: Please don’t arrive on Sunday
Monday: Exodus–go home! Everyone is required to leave by noon.

Arrival – What to Expect at the Gate

Please ensure you arrive at the gate with your ticket (printed or digital) and a government-issued ID. Should you not wish us to use the name on your ID, please put a post-it on your ID with how you would prefer to be addressed.

Remember: If you do not present your valid, government issued, photo ID, or if the name and date of birth on that ID does not match your ticket information, you will not be permitted to enter the event.

Your wristband must stay on for the entire event and is non-transferable.

Weather permitting (it might be too muddy!), cars will be allowed to drive up to their campsites at 5 km/h via the designated roads to drop off gear. At some point after gates open, driving in the event area will be restricted to ensure participant safety. Please check at the gate whether you can drive directly to your camp to unload, or if you’ll need to walk your personal items there.

Tip: Consider borrowing or bringing a cart to walk your personal items to your camp.

If you exceed 5 km/h, there will be people with bullhorns yelling at you and chasing you to slow down. Each year they make someone cry–don’t let this be you.

Once you are done unloading your vehicle, you must drive it back to the designated parking area before setting up camp. Only pre-approved RVs, trailers, and art cars are allowed to remain at campsites. After gate hours, you will not be able to enter the campsite or event and we are not permitted to have parking outside of the gate–you’ll have to go somewhere else. This is for the safety of participants at night.

All vehicles, large or small, assume the responsibility of paying their own towing fees if they become stuck. There is cell phone service on-site so you can call CAA or a local service for assistance.

Remember: All vehicles must be removed from the site no later than three hours past the end of the event.

We have a security team on site, Watchman Protection Services Inc. Ronnie and his team have served as security at Ontario Regional Burns and festivals before, and they are familiar with our community and infrastructure.

Special Thanks: A huge shoutout to the Township of Stone Mills for hosting us!
Photo credit: Header image by Captured by Caro, used with permission.
Land Acknowledgement
We gather for SideBurn on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Huron-Wendat, the Mississaugas, and other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work and build community on this land.