Questions & Answers
Q: What happens if I wake up on Sunday morning, and it's raining?
A: The show must go on! JesusFest is held rain or shine. In past years, we've experienced the entire spectrum, from downpours to sun. Our Home page has a real-time Hartford area forecast on the left. Click the icon for details, so you can prepare accordingly. If rain is forecasted, then you'll want to bring umbrellas and appropriate clothing.
Q: When you were at the Tolland County Agricultural Center, you had a big tent so people could enjoy the outdoor stage music and stay dry even if it rained. Will you have a big tent along the Midway in downtown Rockville?
A: No. It's just not feasible. So, if it's drizzling or raining, to enjoy the outdoor stage music you will need to bring your own umbrella. There may be some shelter to the right and left of the outdoor main stage. We're still working on this. We will have about 400 folding chairs set up in front of the stage area, but they will not be covered.
Q: What happens to the 11 am worship service if it's raining?
A: Around 10 am, we will make the judgement call whether to stay outside or move the worship service into the Union Congregational Church sanctuary, which seats 600. Either way, the worship service will be held.
Q: Do we have to bring our own chairs or blankets?
A: Obviously, our indoor performance areas (Union Church sanctuary and Bev's Corner Drop-in Center) will have seating. For seating in front of the outdoor stage at the end of the Midway, we are renting 400 folding chairs. These will be placed on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic.
You are welcome to bring your folding lawn chairs or blankets and place them on the Central Park lawn. That's all that will be allowed on the Central Park lawn. No tables, no tents, no grills, no tents other accessories.
Q: If it's a nice day, should I be concerned about sunburn?
A: Yes. While there are trees in Central Park, if the weather is clear the sun will be very exposed. So, you will want to bring sunscreen, hats, and other protective accessories depending on your preferences and the sensitivity of your skin.
Keep in mind that the outdoor stage will be facing NORTH, the audience will be facing SOUTH.
Q: Should we bring our own food and beverages?
A: You may bring picnic baskets and coolers, but they quickly become a nuisance. Instead, most folks prefer to buy food and beverages at JesusFest. All items are reasonably priced. We'll have:
Anthony Robert Catering selling hot dogs, snacks, bottled water and fruit juice.
The Exchange Club selling fried dough.
Union Church selling bottled water, soda and snacks.
Antonio's Pizza across the street selling a diverse Greek-Italian menu of items.
Nana's Ice Cream selling a variety of hard ice cream goodies.
Pizza Palace (across the street and around the corner in the Ladd & Hall shopping plaza) selling a variety of Italian foods.
Rockville Corner Market selling many snacks and beverages.
Russ' Time Restaurant selling many sandwiches and snacks.
Q: Is JesusFest free?
A: Yes, admission and parking are free. All performances are free. Trolley, surrey, and haywagon rides are free. Kids' crafts are free. Open House tours of various historic churches and social service agencies are free.
However, food and beverages are for sale. T-shirts and other items will also be for sale at various exhibits. The optional Family Raceway slot car races are $5 - $15, and bowling at Rockville Vintage Lanes (if open) will cost money.
A freewill offering will be taken during the 11 am worship service, to help to pay for JesusFest expenses.
Q: If I need cash, are there ATMs nearby?
A: Yes, Rockville Corner Market has an ATM, and there is a Rockville Bank within one block and a Bank of America within two blocks of JesusFest.
Q: What about First Aid?
A: There will be a First Aid, Security and Communications table set up outside of Union Church. In addition, Rockville General Hospital is across the street from Union Church.
Q: What about Security?
A: We are tapping the Vernon Police Department, Vernon Police Explorers, and local HAM radio operators to assist with security throughout the event, from the Midway to adjacent parking lots and rides.
Q: What time do the trolleys start and stop?
A: 12:00 noon to 6:30 pm. The routes are described on the Location/Directions page. Look for the Trolley Stop signs around town.
Q: I'm trying to call the JesusFest telephone number and/or send them an email, and no one is immediately responding. Why?
A: We are an all-volunteer group. So, the weekend of JesusFest we are very busy setting up and running the event. We simply don't have the resources to continuously staff our phones and emails.
