Staying Safe at the Festival
Making sure everybody at our wonderful family festival has a fun and safe time is a top priority of ours. Here are a few tips and strategies we have for our festival-goers to help ensure that your weekend is one full of positive experiences.
COVID-19
EOTW is committed to the health and safety of our attendees, and the island residents of Haida Gwaii. We are currently developing a COVID safety plan, taking into account recommended precautions by provincial and local health authorities. More information coming soon.
The buddy system
We all remember this from elementary school, but the system still holds up. Here are some things to keep in mind when using the Buddy System:
1. Who’s your buddy? Going to a festival in a group and creating a buddy system where people are responsible for each other is incredibly helpful. A buddy system can also come in handy during times when you don’t feel well!
2. Where’s your buddy? You’ve looked for your buddy everywhere and you’re starting to worry for them. What’s next? Seek out help from our festival volunteers safety team.
3. Where’s your buddy? Install the Bridgefy Bluetooth Messaging App so you can check in on your buddy when you’re not together. This app uses bluetooth to send messages, and does not require cell service or wifi
COnsent
Consent is something we want to promote to our festival-goers so that everyone at EOTW feels comfortable and safe on and off the dance floor. It is important to act responsibly in a festival environment, and understanding and respecting consent is an important aspect of that. Below are a few reminders about what consent means and how to honour it.
1. Having consent means that all folks involved in the activity are 100% stoked on everything that is happening at the moment and have said so! Consent isn't just yes or no, however. Pay attention to body language and facial expressions!
2. Consent is a mutual agreement to physical contact. Remember that consent is necessary, verbal, and enthusiastic!
3. REMEMBER Consent can be retracted at any time.
Responsibility
Much of the festival’s success relies on our individual responsibility. Below are a few of our tips on how to be a responsible Edge of the World attendee
1. Look after each other. Haida Gwaii has a wonderful community that loves and looks after one another. Let’s use that over the weekend to make sure everybody has a good time.
2. Do you know where your kids/teens are, or how they are doing? Check in frequently, and be sure that your kids understand responsible festival etiquette,
3. Do you have a safe ride home? Carpool, plan ahead, and drive with caution to ensure you get home safe.
4. Remember, EOTW is a family-friendly festival. Drugs and alcohol are not permitted. Please respect this and those around you.
Eotw safety services
Although we urge all of our festival attendees to act responsibly and safely, we have plenty of Safety Services available just in case. Please make yourself familiar with them in case you find yourself or someone else needing them.
1. Our First Aid tent is available to attendees until 1am
2. We have volunteer security on-site at all hours of the festival. If in need, please talk to somebody in a high-vis vest.
3. The Chill Zone is a harm reduction booth operated by the Islands Wellness Society where festival-goers of all ages can find space to chill out.
4. Local RCMP will be on the grounds to ensure everyone is safe.
5. HYDRATE! We have two water stations on the festival grounds.