What is Band on the Strand? Band on the Strand or 'BOTS' for short is an open air, youth music festival that is held every summer. It takes place on the beach in north Mayo. The festival is hosted by Lacken Foróige and is arranged with the help of volunteers from several Mayo Foróige clubs.

How do I get Tickets? Tickets are only available to Foróige clubs, groups and projects. Download an booking form here, fill in the required number of tickets and post it, with payment, to the name and address on the form.

I'm not in a Foróige club, group or project and I don't have anyone to bring me as a plus one, how do I get tickets? In short, YOU CAN'T, as mentioned, BOTS tickets are only available from Foróige clubs, groups and projects.

We got no invite, can we still attend? Band on the Strand is an open invite Foróige event. Every Foróige club, group or project is invited and welcome to apply for tickets. This also includes individuals in the Big Brother Big Sister program. Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis, and when they are gone, they are gone, book early as they are currently flying out the door.

Why is this happening in July and not earlier in the year? Location for BOTS is on a sand strand and this location is tide dependant, we need the tide out and off the strand for 3 days to allow for setup and dismantle of everything. This window of opportunity with the tides happens in early to mid July.

How much are Band on The Strand tickets? 25 euro for Foróige members, 30 euro for plus ones (A Foróige member can bring a non Foróige friend).

What do you mean by a plus one? BOTS allow all fully registered Foróige members attending BOTS to bring a non Foróige (plus one) friend. A good age guideline for a plus one is, the plus one should be the same age or at least be no more than plus or minus one year than the Foróige member bringing them. All Foróige members are responsible for their plus one. All plus ones MUST obey the same rules regarding behavior, alcohol and smoking just like everyone else.

We aren't comfortable bringing young people we don't know, does our club have to allow plus one's? NO, absolutely not. Lots of clubs do bring plus ones to BOTS and never had an issue but other clubs choose not to bring plus ones too. No club is pressured to bring plus ones. This is entirely up to each club to decide themselves. A good rule of thumb on the reason you just outlined, it can be a good idea to invite in intended plus ones to your club night for a meet and greet.

As a club leader, what is expected of me at this event? First off, thank you so much for choosing to bring your club to BOTS, without your support events like this simply couldn't happen. On arrival you will be given a high-viz vest and an area to share supervision with other leaders within the festival grounds and times to remain at that point. You will have lots of free time to visit the leaders tent for tea coffee and light refreshments. Your eyes and ears are the key to the continued success of this festival. Leaders are asked to remain vigilant at all times. All LEADER's ARE ASKED NOT TO STAY IN THE LEADERS TENT ANY LONGER THAN 15 MINUTES PER HOUR ON A HOURLY ROTATION BASIS. We need you to keep moving around the festival grounds.

There was really cool light-up wrist bands there last year, are they available again this year? We are not offering for-sale the light-up wrist bands you are referring too at BOTS this year but if clubs have any left over from last year, bring them along as we will have the controller on stage.

Apart from the bands just mentioned, are glow sticks or other light up items permitted at BOTS? Any type of liquid filled (snap to light up) glow sticks or similar types of wrist or head bands are strictly NOT PERMITTED at BOTS, anyone found with these items will have them removed and they will not be returned. However, battery operated lights, bands, key rings, shoes, or similar are permitted AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT LIQUID FILLED.

What does the ticket cover? Your ticket allows you entry to the festival to see all the performers, acts, fireworks and side attractions. You will also get free access to the inflatable's area where you can partake in the many attractions there. Older members, TY's and up, get access to the VIP tent just for senior members. Food is NOT covered in the ticket price.

One of our members has additional needs, do you cater for this? ALL YOUNG POEPLE are welcome at BOTS, we have stage viewing areas and toilet facilities for wheelchair users, we are introducing (NEW for 2019) a quite room for members with ASD or other sensory needs. Please contact us on the number given below to discuss your requirements.

Are bags permitted into Band On The Strand? ***NO BAGS*** "other than clear fully see through waist (bum) bags" will be permitted off the bus's on arrival. Leaders are permitted to carry bags but while permitted this is also not advised. Attendees with bags will be asked to Que at a separate entrance to allow for bags to be searched. Delays at this Que is expected and is unavoidable.

Lacken Strand is relatively isolated, what if someone need medical assistance? We have a doctor on site along with a fully equipped first aid room, fully manned by a team of experienced personal. We have multiple ambulance's on site and are ready to go at a moments notice. Along with this, many of the leaders present are also first aid trained and have made themselves known to event staff before the event.

Will there be alcohol at this event, legal or otherwise? This is strictly a no alcohol event. No alcohol is allowed into the venue and no alcohol will be offered for sale within the venue. All pockets/bags SHOULD be searched before boarding the bus by leaders at their clubs starting point. If any child is found with or under the influence of alcohol, then a parent or guardian will be contacted to come and collect that child straight away. On arrival event staff can request to again search everyone or indeed the bus. No large bags of ruck sacks will be permitted leave the bus making it almost impossible for alcohol to enter this event.

"ALL FOROIGE LEADERS ATTENDING THIS EVENT ARE PART RESPONABILE FOR KEEPING ALCOHOL OUT.

DONT LET YOURSELF OR YOUR CLUB DOWN. IF YOU SUSPECT A TEEN HAS CONSUMED

ALCOHOL THEN PLEASE NOTIFY THE EVENT STAFF AT ONCE"

Is smoking or Vaping permitted at Band on The Strand? This is a NO SMOKING NO VAPING EVENT, this applies to both adults and young people alike. Leaders are free to leave the event and return to the bus carparks if they feel the need to smoke, this is not advisable as it may set a bad example to the teens members present.

Will members be permitted bring food and or/non alcoholic drinks into the festival? No food or drink of any sort is permitted enter the festival area. Food, bottled water and minerals are widely available (to purchase) inside the festival grounds. Free water fountains are also available.

Why do I have to list my "T.Y. and older members" separately when applying for tickets, are all tickets not the same? This year the organizers of BOTS 2019 have decided to offer a little treat or special reward to all older Foróige members as a little thank you for choosing to stay on in Foróige past junior cert, so this year all these older more senior members (TY and up) will have access to a special marquee to the side of the main stage with lots of special treats just for them. This marquee will also be visited throughout the evening by the performing acts.

Define a TY member? Please note, this is for '2018-2019' TY members on or before July 1st 2019 and does not apply to this years 3rd year students, while this years 3rd years are going into TY in September they are NOT in TY just yet.

What are the start and finish times for Band on the Strand? BOTS runs from 7pm until 1am. Gates into the event open at 6pm and will close at 7pm SHARP. You must arrive between 6pm and 7pm.

We have a long distance to travel, is accommodation available? This year we are introducing free camping and wake-athon facilities on site. Accommodation is also available in Hotels and B&B's locally but they will need to be booked and paid for well in advance. Any groups using the camping or wake-athon facilities are fully responsible for their own members, you will have access to light, hot water and toilet facilities but everything else you require, you MUST bring yourself.

When you say wake-athon facilities, what do you mean? This year we are retaining the SHARED use of the two large marquees used on site and making them available to clubs that wish to "STAY UP" on site after the event has finished for some chill out time. You will be inside away from the elements but you would be expected to bring warm cloths, food or anything else you might need for over night. We can arrange for hot food to be delivered in the morning but you will need to book this with us in advance.

Where will Band On The Strand take place? Band on the Strand takes place on Lacken Strand in North Mayo. The tide will be out and the strand in ring fenced so all attending are safely secured inside a designated area of the strand.

On your GPS 54°16'27.0"N 9°15'23.6"W or you will find Google Maps directions here.

What should I wear to this event? As with all outdoor events here in Ireland, expect the unexpected as far as the weather is concerned. Dress for the weather on the day bearing in mind it WILL get cold after dark, also keep in mind, this strand is located in North Mayo and it isn't unusual to get heavy evening showers at any time of the year. Some midge repellent is also a good item to have with you. This event takes place on a sand strand, everyone is advised to wear low, flat casual footwear.

How many people will attend Band On The Strand? 2018's event was attended by just over 3,000 young people from all over Ireland. Slightly larger numbers are expected to attend this year.

When is payment due? Payment for tickets is due by return.

Who can attend this event? This is a Foróige led event so any members of a Foróige club, group or project or have a "same age" buddy (plus one) with permission from that Foróige club, group or project can attend this event.

How safe is Band On The Strand? As with all Foróige events, we can assure you that your child won't find a safer, more secure event anywhere else. This event is attended by 100's of adults (one adult for every eight teens) from Foróige clubs all over Ireland and everyone there looks out for everyone else. Including the young people.

How is Band On The Strand supervised? Again, as with all Foróige events, you will have 1 adult present for every 8 young people attending the event. Outside Foróige, no other event anywhere has this level of supervision at a teen event. Along with Foróige volunteers there will also be hired in professional security staff to also manage this event.

What other costs will be involved, is things like food included in the ticket price? This is a huge music festival with a number of top Irish bands and DJ's playing live, the amazingly low 25 euro ticket price for Foróige members is for entry into the event, the inflatable area and the VIP tent for older members, food is not included in that. There are a number of food stalls and chip vans on site for everyone to purchase food from and these vendors do very good 5 euro meal deals so the food and drink is not too expensive.

There is also some vendors on site selling official event merchandise, key rings, temp tattoos, T-shirts ect.. ect.. but you are not obliged to purchase any of these unless you really want too. if you are bringing money with you to this event, please DO NOT bring large bills over 10 euro notes as most event stands or food trailers will refuse to take them.

My Questions is not addressed above, who do I contact? For direct info regarding this event we suggest you contact one of the numbers below.

All enquiries to:

Ph: (086) 3792787 or (086) 0106200

email mayoforoigeDC@gmail.com

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