Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hexfest? A music festival and campout, held annually since 1993 at Hex Hollow Farm in Barto, Pennsylvania.

Where is Hexfest?  Just off Rt 100, 20 miles from Allentown, Reading, Quakertown, Kutztown, or Pottstown, PA. Hexfest is 50 miles north of Philadelphia, 2 hours west of New York City, 90 minutes east of Harrisburg, and 3 hours north of Baltimore. For specifics, see our Directions page

When is Hexfest?  Friday August 25 to Sunday August 27th. There are three days of music and two nights of camping.  The Gates open 2 pm Friday August 25th.   

Why is it called Hexfest?  We are close to Amish Pennsylvania Dutch country, and many of the farms have Hex signs on the barns. We have no Wiccan or Warlock connection, and no related activites take place at the festival.

Won't it be too hot in August? No, we are up in the hills and are about ten degrees cooler than Philadelphia temperatures. Both the concert and camping area are shaded, wooded farmland that is kool during the day and just rite at nite.

What happens if it rains? The festival and the music goes on rain or shine. Hopes are high for a dry and rockin Hexfest!   

Is Hexfest Kid friendly?  Yes, Children under the age of 10 are admitted free with ticket holding adult.  Everyone age 10 and over must have a ticket. Please bring proof of age (birth certificate) for children over 7.  You are responsible for supervision of your child at the fest.

Is Hexfest Pet Friendly?  No. Please leave your pets at home.

What are the no-nos? No Nitrous. No Pets. No unregistered vending. No sales of alcohol or illegal items. No fireworks, weapons, or bonfires. Violators are subject to ejection without refund. Illegally parked cars may be towed. Trespassers may be arrested. Be smart and don't do any of these things.

Is Vending permitted? Yes, but you must have a Vending Permit. The cost of a Vending Permit to vend out of or next to your vehicle on Shakedown Street is $100. This will reserve you a 10' by 10' space on Shakedown Street, where everyone who attends the festival will see your product.  Vending Permits may be purchased through  Telecharge, mail order, fax, or in person at Hex Hollow Music  There are also Walk Vending permits available at $ 15 in advance, $35 Day of Festival. It is necessary to have a Vending Permit to vend anything at the festival, and you must also have a ticket to enter the festival. Here is the link for the Vendors Web Page. Please email us to receive a Vendors Application.

Do you need Volunteers? Yes, we have a limited number of spaces available for Volunteers. We need Volunteers to help with all the jobs involved with running the festival.  Check out the Hexfest Volunteer Page  for Volunteers info.

Do I really need an advance ticket? Yes, we have sold out of advance tickets several years and had to turn away some folks at the gate. Tickets are available by telecharge, mail order, fax, or at ticket outlets

Where can I get a ticket without using a charge card?  We have a number of Ticket outlets in the southeastern Pennsylvania area. The Ticket outlets are cash only. For a list of outlets and locations, check out Ticket Info

I'm not camping. Are there day only tickets? Day only admission is available only for Sunday August 27. There are Saturday Admission with one night camping tickets available at a reduced amount. Check the Tickets page for pricing.

Is there a group discount? Yes, purchase 5 tickets and get the sixth one free. (or purchase 10 and get 2 free, etc) This offer is only good at Hex Hollow Music, at gigs, by telecharge, mail order or fax. It is not available at the ticket outlets.

Is there a service charge on tickets?  There is no service charge on tickets purchased in person at Hex Hollow Music, at a gig, or by mail order. There is a $4.50 per ticket service charge for tickets purchased by Telecharge, and the ticket outlets may charge a service charge. 

When will I get my tickets? Tickets ordered by Telecharge or by mail order with a money order by August 11th will all be mailed out within a few days of the order. Tickets ordered August 12th and after will not be mailed, but will be held as Will Call at the Gate. If you have a question about your order contact us. 

Is Hexfest Open to All Ages? Yes, admission is Open to All Ages, but you cannot possess or consume alcoholic beverages on the premises unless you are 21.  Ages 10 to 17 pay full price and must be accompanied by ticket holding parent or guardian. Under 10 are free and must be accompanied and supervised by ticket holding adult.

What time can we arrive? The gates open at 2 PM Friday August 25th. Do not arrive before this time. There is no camping Thursday night. 

Can we stay Sunday night?  No, the campgrounds close at 5 pm, Sunday August 27th. 

Who's playing and when? Check out the Performers and Schedule page, and check back often as we will be adding more acts. The headliners this year are Steve Kimock and Mike Cross. Some of the performers featured in past years include Vassar Clements, Jazz Mandolin Project, Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root, Juggling Suns, Todd Wolfe, David Gans, Max Creek, Splintered Sunlight, The Recipe, Townhall, Frog Holler, Hexbelt,  and Strawberry Jam.

What should we bring?  Camping gear, acoustic musical instruments, food, beverages  - everything you'd need for a weekend camping in the country. We do not serve beverages or food, or provide seating for the concerts, so you must bring your own or patronize the vendors to serve you on site. 

How far will we have to carry our camping gear to our campsite? If you park in the onsite lot, you'll be within 100 yards of the campgrounds. Check out this aerial photo, the wooded area to the right of the parked cars is campgrounds.  We will reserve a space for your RV next to the woods if you preregister. There are no reservations for campsites in the campgrounds, first come first served.

May we bring our RV? Yes, but you should register in advance for a camping spot next to the woods.  There is a $25 parking fee for RVs and oversize vehicles.  Please contact us in advance to make arrangements to reserve a spot.

Can we reserve a campsite? No, the campsites are first come, first served starting Friday 8/25 @ 2pm. There is plenty of camping area, so you shouldn't have any problem finding a kool campsite anytime during the weekend. The only reserved spots are for RVs.

Are campfires permitted? Yes, small campfires are permitted, but they must be attended, and not of excessive heat or flame height. Pyros who abuse our campfire policy may be ejected without refund. We will allow campfires unless the Township would pass a drought ordinance restricting open fires.  We do provide some wood for campfires, but you may bring your own firewood if you wish. 

Is there a charge for parking? There is a $10 fee to park onsite. This charge is to meant to encourage carpooling. There is a $25 Parking fee for all RVs and oversized vehicles over twenty feet long. If you pay this fee in advance to we will reserve your RV camping spot. 

I have to leave during the fest, can I get out of the parking lot and then re - enter the festival? Some vehicles parked at the onsite lot may get parked in. If you are going to have to go in and out during the festival, we suggest you tell the Parking supervisor so he may arrange a suitable space for you, or got to the Remote lot. You may re - enter the festival anytime with a valid wristband.

We want to play at Hexfest, how do we get booked? Send your Press kit, promo material, and performance schedule to Hex Hollow Music, 90 Bull Rd,  Barto, PA  19504-9111. Please don't call us, we will call you if there is an opening. The band schedule is full for this year's Hexfest.  The best way to get a gig at the next Hexfest is to play Open Stage at the upcoming festival. There will be Open Stage time Saturday August 26th, check the Schedule page. 

How does the Open Stage work? Come to the Stage at 10:15 am Saturday morning August 26th to sign up. The Open Stage will start approximately at 10:30 am. The amount of stage time per act will be determined by how many acts sign up. Acts will perform in the order of signup, there is no preregistration, just come to the Sound Board that morning to sign up. Comedy, Poetry and other entertainment are welcome as well as musical acts. Be on time and in tune for your Stage time or you may lose your slot. All you need to bring is your instruments. We supply the PA, mics, stands, a small bass amp and guitar/keyboard amp. Acoustic instruments can be miked or plug into the sound system. Please set up and break down as efficiently as possible to give everybody more time to play. There is no free admission or discount for participating in Open Stage, however acts that perform well at Open Stage will be strongly considered for booking at the next Hexfest. Performers at Open Stage are permitted to sell their Cds, etc next to the Stage area without a Vending Permit.

Is Taping Permitted? Yes. If you wish, we will prereserve you an excellent taping space on the deck next to the soundboard for $10. If any of acts do not wish to be recorded, then we will respect their wishes. Soundboard patches are at the discretion of the Soundman. Please contact us at Hex Hollow Music if you want to reserve a taping space .

Are Drum Circles OK? Yes, but our agreement with the Township stipulates that there be no loud music or noise between 10:30pm and 8 am, so drum circles will not be permitted during that period.  

Will my cell phone work there? Most cell phones get reception here. There is a cell tower at the top of Bull Road, 1/4 mile from the Festival, so you might need to go up there if your cell phone does not work at the site. 

Is drinking water available? Yes, there is potable water available for drinking, washing, and cleaning. 

How do I get there from here? Check out our Directions page

Can we get a refund if it rains? The festival goes on rain or shine. (Let's hope for shine). There are no ticket refunds due to inclement weather or schedule changes .  Refunds would only be issued in the highly unlikely event that the Festival had to be cancelled or rescheduled due to unforeseen catastrophic circumstances or Acts of God.   

I have more questions, who should I contact? Email Hexfest@aol.com or call 610-845-2787.