Frequently Asked Questions - Del Mar

TICKETS/CAMPING

What are the prices for admission and camping, etc.?
Check out the Tickets page and the Camping page.

Does my ticket include camping or is there an additional fee to camp?
Ticket prices do not include camping. For camping prices visit the Camping page.

Something has come up - can I get a refund?
As clearly stated on the order form, no refunds or exchanges are permitted. You are free to sell the tickets to someone else (at or below your purchase price), donate them to someone you know, or donate them to the scholarship fund.

I ordered my tickets. Where are they?
Tickets will be sent out beginning mid-April.

What is the camping like?
All camping at SWC-Del Mar is primitive. This basically means that for tents you get an approximate 20' x 20' piece of ground. There are no improvements at the sites (i.e. no picnic tables, BBQ pits, water). Water, showers and toilets are accessible to all campgrounds. The same primitive arrangements are true for RV's - there are no hookups. Campers should bring all the supplies they need and everything required to set up camp. See the Camping page.

ARTISTS / SPEAKERS / SCHEDULE

Why isn't my favorite artist appearing at this year's festival?
SWC-Del Mar does its best to bring in a variety of talent that appeals to various age groups and styles of music. As one of the top Christian festivals in the country, SWC feels compelled to bring to the event the top nationally known talent. If you don't see your favorite artist this year, hopefully you'll see them next year. If you sign up for our email updates, you can participate in our annual SWC Booking Survey each fall.

Do you have a schedule of what times the artists and speakers will be appearing?
A tentative daily time schedule will be available on the Web site beginning May 1. The final daily time schedule will be available on-site in the Event Program and posted on the website about 10 days before the event.

Bands, artists / speaker who would like to appear at SWC-Del Mar. How can I submit press materials to be reviewed?
Selecting the talent for SWC is a fairly complicated and involved issue. Many, many factors need to be considered - music style, availability, the cost, popularity, etc. We also look at how a certain performer fits in with the others that are appearing, balancing the overall stylistic feeling of the event as a whole.

SWC tries to book a stylistic variety of the very best in the contemporary Christian music field. Those attending appreciate and expect to see the top talent in the country. This dedication to quality most often limits those indie, semi-pro or developing artists, who as talented as they be, do not have careers as advanced as the nationally recognizable artists. There are only so many performance slots (times) available each year, and these slots need to be used to their fullest to please the most.

Spirit West Coast is one of the top Christian music festivals in the country and we are dedicated to presenting the absolute best. The festival is not a talent contest, showcase, exhibition or instructional session. Although those artists willing but unable to appear are disappointed, most understand. SWC tries to be responsible to the vision of presenting quality national talent, and the thousands in attendance seem to appreciate that commitment.

VOLUNTEER

How can I volunteer to work at Spirit West Coast and what is involved?
Check out the Get Involved: Volunteer page.

SEATING / VENUES

What is the seating like at SWC-Del Mar?
Seating is provided at all venues (including the Grandstand Stage and Arena Stage), except those designated as "audience standing" venues. No lawn chairs allowed.

Can you save seats?
SWC-Del Mar has a "No Seat Saving" policy. Seats are to be filled on a first-come, first-sit policy. Ushers will remove personal belongings left on seats to the end of those aisles. Reserved seats can be purchased for the Air 1 Grandstand Stage (see "Reserved Seating" on the Info A-Z page).

PROMOTING SWC
You can order promotional materials such as posters, newspapers, fliers, etc. on our Promotional Tools page.The 2008 3-minute promotional video will be available by mid January.

MISC. QUESTIONS

Why doesn't SWC have a dinner break? It seems a time of shutdown would give event goers a chance to eat and not miss anything.
This is an excellent question but the answer is not as simple as one might expect. First of all, SWC does not take on the role of "scheduling the day" for attendees. What may appear to be a logical time for a meal break for some may not be for others. Some may not even take a meal break at all; they just eat on the run, so to speak.

Each day of SWC starts early and ends late. How each individual approaches that day and how they decide to "manage" it, is part of the freedom and fun of the SWC experience.

The unseen factor of a "meal break" is that it would be absolutely impossible, for even three times the number of food vendors on site, to feed everyone if the entire crowd tried to eat at once. Even with everyone eating meals at their own, chosen staggered times, the vendors are very busy. We can't bring in too many food vendors, or they will not be successful enough to return on subsequent years - there must be a balance. With all that said, we suggest that people be creative with their meal planning.
Suggestions include:

• Plan to return to camp for a meal each day -- Saves money and provides a chance to "re-group."
• 3-day attendees staying off-site should buy 3-day parking passes, which allows vehicles to go in/out. Then you can go to town for a meal during the day. Single-day parking passes do NOT allow for "in and out" privileges.
• Although food cannot be brought into the Fairgrounds, people can go out to their vehicles to get a bite (no cooking in the parking lot) for non-cooking tailgating.
• Have one or two people make the food run to the vendors so the entire group doesn't miss anything.
• Eat dinner early, or lunch late (3 p.m. for example) or at in-between times of major performances, even though it may not be a traditional time for either meal. Juggling "the food thing" at SWC is part of the adventure.