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 room for you to bring a small pop-up tent. We will have 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, the Union Church sanctuary, where our indoor stage is located, has pews (with comfy padded covers). For seating in front of our outdoor stage at the end of the Midway, we are renting 400 folding chairs. These will be placed on Park Place, the paved road we are closing.
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 WEST, the audience will be facing EAST.
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:
Cafe Lafayette on the Midway selling hot dogs, hamburgers, iced tea, lemonade, hot and cold coffee.
The Exchange Club selling fried dough.
Cool Daddy's selling soft-serve ice cream.
Union Church selling bottled water, soda and snacks.
Athens Pizza across the street selling a diverse Greek-Italian menu of items.
Rockville Corner Market selling many snacks and beverages.
Pizza Palace across the street and around the corner in the Ladd & Hall shopping plaza, selling a variety of Italian items.
Q: Is JesusFest free?
A: Yes, admission and parking are free. All performances are free. Trolley rides are free. Balloon art and face-painting are free. Open House tours of various historic churches, social service agencies, and the Memorial Tower 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 will cost money. (As of today, we have not heard the exact cost of bowling, but the owner is putting together a special package for JesusFest.)
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 and Vernon Police Explorers to assist with security throughout the event, from the Midway to adjacent parking lots and trolley rides.
Q: What time do the trolleys start and stop?
A: 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. The routes are described on the Location/Directions page. Click on the pdf files for the Inner Loop and Outer Loop trolley rides. 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.
