You can view the full Terms and Conditions for the Meet and Greet Contests here.
There is lodging available in surrounding towns. Please visit our Lodging tab for more information.
Unless you are an all weekend long volunteer and have approval from event management, no camping is available at Memorial Park. Here are some additional lodging options.
VIP wristbands are designated for our corporate and community sponsors only. There are no backstage passes for the Ashley for the Arts event. There are Meet & Greet passes available through giveaways on our participating radio stations. The only way to obtain a Meet & Greet is to listen to local radio channels for opportunities to win.
Meet & Greet winners should check-in to the Meet & Greet area 3 hours before the entertainer performs. Volunteers will mark your arrival at the festival grounds and you will receive further information then. Please refer to your Meet & Greet pass for a map and phone number for further questions.
Meet & Greet pictures are uploaded after the Ashley for the Arts event. They can be found on ashleyforthearts.com under the entertainment tab a week after the event.
Each concert varies, but majority are contracted to play 60- 90 minutes.
Yes, some of the shows do overlap. Please review the event schedule page for details on start times. The Main Stage to the Amphitheater is just a short walk allowing you to enjoy the multiple performances as you jump from one stage to another.
There is no permanent seating for the Main Stage. Attendees wanting to sit should bring their own lawn chairs. Chair placement is on a first-come-first serve basis. Please note, chairs placed in walkways, standing stage view area, or non-seating areas will be moved. Ashley for the Arts is not liable for any moved, damaged, or stolen property. Amphitheater and Pavilion seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is limited seating at these two entertainment locations.
The last concerts will begin Friday at 10PM in the Amphitheater and Pavilion stages. The last concerts on Saturday will begin at 10PM on the Main Stage, Amphitheater, and the Pavilion.
Ashley for the Arts had over 30,000 people in attendance at the 2016 event.
Ashley for the Arts is a non-profit initiative that provides the entire family with world class entertainment, art, exercise and play for a remarkably low cost. It is also one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, raising more than $300,000 annually for more than 30 non-profit organizations, including participating schools, children’s charities, medical research and financial support organizations for cancer patients who are having trouble paying for their treatments.
No carry-in food or drink; no firearms or weapons; no pets (except service animals); no bullhorns or noisemakers; no skateboards or inline skates; no remote-controlled flying devices or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). All bags are subject to search at the gate. Any items confiscated by security will not be returned.
No, pets are not allowed on event grounds except certified service animals.
No. Carry-ins are not allowed on festival grounds. We try to provide a wide variety of food and beverage options for purchase. EXCEPTION: Baby formula/infant foods are allowed to be brought into festival grounds.
Smoking is strictly prohibited in the Pavilion, the seating areas of the Main Stage and Amphitheater, and other buildings on the park grounds. Designated smoking areas are provided. Although smoking is allowed in some areas of the park, please be considerate of the people around you. Security may ask you to refrain from smoking if it bothers those around you. You MUST follow the Security Staff’s instructions.
There is Wi-Fi in the park, but please note it is very limited.
On Thursday, we have the Pursuit of a Cure 5K Run/Walk and basket raffle. General public is invited to come and watch at no cost. You can sign up for the 5K here. All proceeds from the 5K benefit the American Cancer Society, Rita Tranberg Memorial, Arcadia Ambulance, and the OLPH Mission.
Cash or check are the only acceptable payment options for purchases on the event grounds. This includes admission wristbands, food and beverage tickets, and merchandise. There is an ATM located in the Pavilion.
You can find a list of our food vendors and their menu’s on our Food page. We offer many different options with a variety of prices ranging from $2 to $10.
In order to purchase food and beverages throughout the event weekend, you will need to visit one of our many ticket booths throughout the grounds. Each ticket is $1 in value. There are no carry-ins allowed.
A variety of beer brands are available at our multiple bar locations around the park. Wine is available for purchase in the Pavilion. You must be 21+ to purchase alcohol.
The art and craft fair starts at 3PM on Friday and 10AM on Saturday.
There is a large variety that the artists and crafters sell from drawings to metal pieces to jewelry. You can find a list of our artists and crafters and the area they specialize in on our Artist & Crafter page. We are not responsible for any of the purchases that happen through the art fair.
Unfortunately the hot air balloons are for display only. There are no rides provided. Bystanders are able to assist with the setup of the Hot Air Balloons—upon Balloon owner’s discretion.
The average time is 15 minutes. The fireworks are launched near the Main Stage area, on the south end of the park grounds.
As school performances are on the Ashley for the Arts grounds, admission wristbands will need to be purchased.
5K Registration: $22.50 pre-registration; $25.00 day of
Car Show registration: $12 day of
Art & Craft Fair: $50 for a booth space
***All other events are covered with the admission wristband purchase (excluding the “You Crazy Monkey!” obstacle course).
You can sign up on our “You Crazy Monkey” webpage.
You can sign up by visiting the Volunteer page.
Once you have registered to volunteer, a member of the school district you chose will reach out to you to discuss the different work locations. Beginning Thursday at 2PM, you are able to pick up your wristband and t-shirt at volunteer check in located at the Arcadia Middle School. Please note that if you do not volunteer until Saturday, but pickup your t-shirt and wristband early, you will be responsible for them as replacement shirts and wristbands will not be given.
There is no fee for parking. We have many different free parking options that can be found on our website.
Shuttles are available throughout the event weekend to take attendees from all of our parking lot locations to the park grounds. There will also be a bus shuttle running to and from Pietrek Park Campground, Blue Lot, and all other parking lots to Memorial Park.
There is limited handicap parking. Please see the parking map.
There are a few city streets clearly marked with no parking signs. Ashley for the Arts is NOT responsible for towing fees due to parked vehicles in non-parking areas. There is no travel on Reit Lane during fireworks.
If your car has been towed, it was in a no parking zone or towed for emergency reasons. Please contact Suchla Towing at 608-323-2279.
Wristbands are $10 per person. Children under the age of 3 do not need a wristband. There are NO discounts or refunds available as this is a non-profit charity event and your admission price goes toward supporting over 30 non-profit organizations.
Wristbands start selling at 8AM on both Friday and Saturday. Tickets start selling at 10AM on Friday and 8AM on Saturday.
There are no wristband presales. Wristbands are available for purchase at the gate on the days of the event. Wristbands allow you access to numerous festival attractions and all musical performances, including the headline entertainment.
No. The $10 admission wristband allows you access to the festival for the entire weekend. Please KEEP your wristband on from one day to the next.
You will need to purchase another wristband to attend the event.
No. We do not sell out of wristbands or food and beverage tickets.
Attendees wishing to purchase beer or wine will need to have a 21+ wristband and may be asked to show ID again at the bar. Patrons can be turned away at the bartender’s discretion.