Code of Conduct,
Policies +
How We Look Out For Each Other
-
This Code of Conduct sets out the general policies and expectations for all staff, crew, artists and volunteers - and patrons - onsite. We use the term ‘crew’ to define everyone who isn’t a patron. Each crew member must be familiar with this Code of Conduct before they begin working at the event, and by undertaking their position, agrees that they’re on board with the statements below and all implications of the statements.
WELCOME
Everyone is welcome! Goolaholla provides equality of services and care to everyone of every age, ability, gender, race, religion or belief or sexual orientation.
ABOUT BIG FIELD TRADITIONS (PRESENTING PARTNERS FOR GOOLAHOLLA!)
We are a not-for-profit volunteer-driven organization dedicated to stimulating, facilitating and fostering the preservation and promotion of traditional and folk music in eastern Prince Edward Island, and in particular at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Grounds. Income from all events is dedicated to the furthering of this goal. From 2021, BFT will donate a portion of proceeds of all BFT events to PEI Mi’kmaq organisations.
ABOUT THE EAST POINTERS
The East Pointers are a multi-award winning trio from Eastern PEI – Tim Chaisson, Jake Charron, and Koady Chaisson. There are still three in the band – just only two on stage now.
We acknowledge we are working on unceded Mi’kmaq Territory. We honor Mi’kmaq elders, past, present and emerging. We actively seek opportunities to listen to, empower and work with Mi’kmaq community… and we’re pumped about it!
We work with each other in the spirit of goodwill, shared goals and the benefit of the doubt. We assume each other’s best intentions wherever possible… and it is always possible.
We encourage crew to share their preferred pronouns. Pronouns are an extension of one's identity and deserve respect. We encourage the use of gender-neutral language with each other and our patrons, and sharing of one’s own pronouns.
Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment and bullying will not be tolerated. We mean, why would it be? We’re a darling little festival, not Altamont. But it’s early days...
We expect and encourage a professional, friendly atmosphere within our crew and patrons. If crew need a refresher course on what might be inappropriate chat or action, just think about Michael Scott. If he would say or do it… maybe don’t say or do it.
We maintain a zero tolerance policy for violence, which includes racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, or otherwise discriminatory language. Acts or threats of physical violence which involve or affect our crew or patrons’ safety will not be tolerated. This is one hardcore and super clear statement and applies to patrons as well as crew.
All event crew (includes staff, volunteers, board members and artists) and patrons are required to comply with all general ‘outside world’ legal requirements regarding drugs and alcohol and general personal conduct.
-
Festival Etiquette
• All festival visitors must be mindful of their surroundings. Loud and/or intoxicated or intimidating behaviour will not be tolerated anywhere on the festival grounds.
• All festival visitors must be respectful of others and their property and must not interfere with, damage or cause harm to any other visitor or their property.
• All campers must be respectful and considerate of their neighbours.
• All campers must respect fellow campers and their property, the campground amenities and natural surroundings. Disruptive behaviour, vandalism, damaging of the property of others, or harming of any vegetation or wildlife on the festival site will not be tolerated.
• From 10pm onwards, noise in all camping areas must be kept to a minimum. Festival venues are provided for late night jam sessions and frivolity.
-
Child and Youth Tickets Policy for Goolaholla! Festival, provided on behalf of Big Field Traditions (BFT)
We are so grateful that so many families and guardians of minors feel that the Field is a safe environment to share. However, it is still part of the ‘real’ world - a large, dark, wooded area that has creeks and ocean access, unfenced access and proximity to a main road - and humans. It is very important to us that all patrons can enjoy a happy, safe and harmonious event. Many of our organisers are parents, and the safety and satisfaction of our patrons is of paramount importance. We want to ensure that the festival is a secure place for all ages and provides a positive experience for all who attend. Prior to 2016, there was a notable rise in incidents involving unaccompanied youth at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Grounds. To enable us to offer a greater level of security and safety for all attending first, the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival, and then new events such as Goolaholla!, particularly those who are under 19, in 2016 we introduced a number of changes to our Child Youth Ticketing Policy, Conditions of Entry and Camping Policy.
This year (2025) we have added new conditions for Youth and Children specifically at Goolaholla! festival, which takes place in the darker months of the year. These terms have been mindfully added in response to our attempts to cast ourselves into future risks that started to show themselves at the 2024 event, and we hope that with new activities introduced to the programme this year, we can strike a balance of wild and free, thrilling-but-managed risk, and family- managed introductions to the wonderful world of live music. The idea of welcoming families within Goolaholla! is intended as an opportunity but to be together - all of us, celebrating music, art and community.
These conditions form part of the Terms and Conditions of ticket purchase for all patrons 18 and under and are enforceable by Big Field Traditions management.
The following child and youth ticketing and festival attendance conditions have been put in place to help us all to enjoy a positive and family-friendly atmosphere, provide opportunities for child-safe, measured-risk play and attendance.
The youth and child ticketing policy is as follows:
• Youth tickets (13 – 18 years old) and Child tickets (12 and under) may only be purchased in conjunction with an Adult Guardian 25+ or a Seniors ticket. (For the remainder of this policy, Guardian 25+ or Guardian also refers to Seniors who have taken responsibility for Youth and Children on site)
• A Guardian 25+ ticket holder must be aged 25 years or older and must be contactable by cell phone at the festival.
• A maximum of 3 Youth or Child tickets may be purchased with each Guardian 25+ ticket.
eg: a single guardian may purchase a maximum of three Youth or Child tickets. If a fourth Youth or Child ticket is required, another Guardian 25+ ticket holder must be purchased with the group.
As the purchaser of a Guardian Ticket you must:
• Provide your relevant festival contact details with the ticket purchase AND provide your contact details on the inside of your child/youth ticket’s festival wristband.
• Agree to our terms and conditions of entry (listed on your ticket)
• Maintain an awareness of the whereabouts of any minors under your care at all times.
• Advise any associated ticket holders of the consequences of any breaches of these terms and conditions prior to arrival at the event.
Conditions of Entry
• All Guardian ticket holders are required to produce valid proof of age identification when arriving at the Festival Gate
• All Guardian and associated Youth and Child ticket holders within a group must arrive at the Festival Gate together AND must be aware of the location of the child/youth at all times.
• No Youth or Child ticket holder will be permitted entry in the first instance without their Guardian being present.
• No minor under the age of 16 will be permitted to leave the Festival precinct (fenced area) - including to access the campground or car park – without their registered Guardian after sundown unless part of a registered, managed workshop.
• Due to liquor licensing conditions within the Festival precinct, all minors must be accompanied by a Guardian when they enter the Festival precinct.
• No more than 3 Youth or Child ticket holders per Guardian ticket holder will be granted entry to the Festival site.
• Any breach of the above Terms of Arrival will result in refusal of entry with no exceptions. Absolutely no ticket refunds will be given.
Camping Policy
• All Guardians and their associated Youth or Child patrons are required to camp together.
• Any campsite disruptions, in breach of the Terms and Conditions and/or Festival Etiquette (see below) will result in the immediate eviction of those involved.
• Any campsite disruptions, in breach of the Terms and Conditions and/or Festival Etiquette by either Youth or Child patrons or their Guardians will result in the immediate eviction of all associated Youth, Child and guardian(s) from the festival site.
• Zero tolerance will apply to disruptive or disrespectful behaviour within the camping areas. No warnings will be issued.
Terms of Entry
• Any breach of the Terms and Conditions or Festival Etiquette or involvement in illegal activities anywhere on site will result in the immediate eviction of those involved.
• Any breach of Terms and Conditions or Festival Etiquette or involvement in illegal activities anywhere on site, by either Youth or Child patrons or their Guardians, will result in immediate eviction of all associated Youth and Child patrons and associated Guardians from the festival site. This means that if a Youth or Child breaches the conditions of entry then the Guardian of that Youth or Child will be evicted along with all other associated Youth or Child patrons. No warnings will be issued.
• In the event of eviction from the festival site no refunds will be given.
• In the event of eviction from the festival site no re-purchase of festival tickets will be allowed.
If you have any feedback regarding our Youth Tickets Policy please email hello@goolaholla.com
-
Where "Zero Tolerance" is referenced in any Policy or Code of Conduct, it means that there is no system of 'escalation' - just that there is an immediate response, usually removing the offender from site. This most usually relates to sexual abuse or violent behaviour. All Zero Tolerance issues are also reported to the police where necessary.