Location:

Scuba Park – Lincoln Docks, Welland, Ontario

Directions: Scuba Park – Lincoln Docks, Welland, Ontario
Take 406 to Main Street – Turn right on Main Street – Go down Main street all the way to the Main Street Bridge (DO NOT CROSS) and turn left onto King Street – Come to Lincoln Street (Rexall on the corner) and turn right. Pass the Wellness Centre on your left and cross the Lincoln Street Bridge. As soon as you cross, on your left hand side, you will see the Park. All participants must enter at the main entrance to the Lincoln Street Docks.. You won’t be able to miss it. There will be people and signs. If you choose to put your floatie in the water at another location, the designated floatfest area will be blocked off by security boats. If you wish to participate, you will be asked to enter in the one MAIN ENTRANCE at Lincoln Street.

PARKING:

Please park wherever you find legal space to park.

You can follow this link find a place to park – See Parking Location Here

NO PARKING SIGNS will be posted across from the park You will be ticketed if you park there. Anywhere other than our designated spots you are doing so accepting responsibility of you are ticketed. All Parking is at your own risk. FloatFest will not be responsible. If you cross over Prince Charles Drive (the major intersection) it becomes a Regional Rd. You can park on either side of the street. The streets to remember. KING, LINCOLN , PRINCE CHARLES and BROADWAY Those are are main radius of parking.

Please note: FLOATFEST WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO VEHICLES , PARKING TICKETS OR ANYTHING RELATED TO PARKING YOUR VEHICLE.

INFLATABLES:

We will have an industrial sized inflation station on site to assist you with inflating your crafts. There will be no exceeding the inflatable weight maximum. We STRONGLY RECOMMEND you inflate on site for more room on shuttle and most importantly for safety reasons.

This event is for inflatables only. No canoes, kayaks or man-made floatation devices will be allowed into the designated park area or area of the canal for this festival.

Remember that we will have an on site vendor for those last minute floatie purchases. Please visit Grants Gifts for your last minute needs.

Canadian Tire Welland has an amazing assortment of inflatables of all kinds available for purchase leading up to the event. We will have 6 inflation stations on site to assist you with inflating your crafts. There will be no exceeding the inflatable weight maximum.

Thank you to Canadian Tire Welland for being the major sponsor of the Canadian Tire Welland Floatfest. Be sure to support Canadian Tire Welland when looking for flotation devices.

FLOAT LAUNCH:

Registration will take place between 10-12 We have full intentions to start the launch from the Lincoln Street Docks at 12pm or close to that time. We will enter the water in a safe way. Instructions will be given at that time by our MC for the day , Steve Szabo. The float will go from Lincoln Street Docks to the Lincoln Street Bridge. There are 4 exit points before you reach the final floating exit area – two on the left side of the canal and two on the right hand side. You will see the exit signs on both sides of the canal. We stress, for your own safety, only exit at the designated areas.

We recommend you have water shoes or sandals with you as you will be walking back from any of those designated exit areas. Maximum 15 minute walk if you choose the longest exit point.

We trust the wind will be coming from the south and It will all go as planned. Deflate your floaties and head back to the park to sit in the water and enjoy the bands close to the shore or browse the many wonderful vendors on site and of course have something to eat. All floaties must be out of the canal by 7pm. We will begin clearing the water between 6-7pm. Security will need time before 730pm to ensure waterway is clear and clean.

Latecomers are welcome.

ENVIRONMENT:

We ask everyone to respect our beautiful town, our event location and our recreational waterway by using the many garbage receptacles and recycling bins throughout the park and at every exit location. Let’s leave our canal and our park the way we found it. Beautiful and Clean. Absolutely no glass or styrofoam will be permitted in the park. Portable Bathrooms will be located just past the vendor area!!! Please use them.

THINGS NOT TO FORGET:

THINGS NOT TO FORGET: FOOD DONATIONS FOR HOPE CENTRE AND OPEN ARMS MISSION. WE WILL COLLECT THEM AT THE ENTRANCE. SEE SARAH SAUVE AND BRAD ULCH AS YOU ENTER THE PARK.

Don’t forget: Sunglasses, Hat, water shoes or sandals, sunscreen, money for food and vendors and t-shirts, towel, life jacket for your children, blanket to sit and listen to music or chairs, change of warm clothes (keep in mind we don’t have a change area so be prepared to layer your clothing) IDENTIFICATION. If you are asked for ID you need to be able to produce it.

*FLOATFEST WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR STOLEN ITEMS.

STAY HYDRATED!

Attention All Floaters! Please be sure to have a container with water that you can bring with you as you float. It is your responsibility to stay hydrated while out on the waterway. Floatfest will be selling signature water bottles on site.

 ATM:

We will have an ATM available on site for your convenience.

Alcohol/Cannabis:

This is a Family Event and there will be NO ALCOHOL OR CANNABIS allowed in the park or on/in the water. The security will strongly enforce this. Anyone perceived to be intoxicated will be asked politely to leave the event. All bags will be checked at the entrance to the park. If you have alcohol or cannabis, you will have the option to return it to your car or throw it out. This is an alcohol and drug free event.

Pets:

Only SERVICE PETS will be allowed at this event.

Aerial Photography/Videography:

Due to safety reasons, there will be NO AERIAL VEHICLES ALLOWED at this event. We will have a company who will be capturing the event and any other operators will be removed from the event.

FIRST AID, SAFETY & SECURITY:

St Johns Ambulance will be on site the entire event. In the case of illness or injury, you will go to the St Johns Ambulance Tent shown on the map. They are located at the bottom of the hill, next to the docks.

There will be a strong security presence in the park this year.

We have a full volunteer staffed event with security and safety on site. Security services will provided by Dragon Security. First Aid and CPR certified individuals and St Johns Ambulance in full force. We have went to great lengths to ensure the safety of all participants. There will be NO PETS ALLOWED at this event. This is a Family Event and there will be NO ALCOHOL OR CANNABIS allowed in the park or on/in the water. The security will strongly enforce this. Anyone perceived to be intoxicated or causing a safety issue on the water, will be asked politely to leave the event and will be expected to do so.

All bags will be checked at the entrance to the park. If you have alcohol, you will have the option to return it to your car or pour it out. This is an alcohol and drug free event.

Waivers must be signed to enter the water portion of this event and participants, once signed and registered will receive a wristband. For those that could not print a waiver, we will have extra at the registration desk. We ask that you keep that wristband on for the duration of the event. There will be 5 safety boats in the water. Each will be equipped with a Certified Driver, Lifeguard and Security. One boat will be stationed in front of the train bridge, another stationed after the Lincoln Street Bridge.

There will be 4 clearly marked (with signs) Float Exit points for you to get out at any time you wish. All are within walking distance back to the park and equipped with volunteers to assist those exiting the water.

Anyone leaving the designated area will be asked to forfeit their wrist bands to security and this will signal you are no longer part of the event. If you wish to resume, come back through registration and you will be assigned another wrist band. We prefer this not occur.

Safety boats in emergency situation will have the right of way. If you hear a horn please accommodate them without endangering yourselves. If you hear a whistle, know that security is trying to get someones attention. Please do your best to yield to the safety boat in these cases. No whistles, horns or noise makers of any kind allowed in the floaties for safety reasons.

Children under 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent and MUST wear a life jacket. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS. Anyone ages 16-18 MUST have the waiver signed by a parent and leave the parents phone number with the lead of registration.

No anchor lines or tow ropes permitted in designated floating area for safety reasons. No splashing, jumping or disruptive behavior that could endanger another floater will be allowed.