What Happens If There Is Inclement Weather

Welcome to Rockville is a rain or shine event, however, there are several instances in which the festival may be paused, evacuated, or canceled due to inclement weather, including (but not limited to): severe thunderstorms, lightning in our festival radius, excessive wind, hail, flooding, or as directed by local emergency personnel. Festival management is constantly monitoring weather conditions and consulting with the National Weather Service, as well as a private weather service to ensure the safest event possible.

If an evacuation due to inclement weather becomes necessary fans will either be advised to temporarily seek shelter or that the festival is cancelled for the remainder of the day.  This notification will be made by audio and video announcements from the stages, the WTR Mobile App push notifications, and social media.  We recommend fans download the WTR Mobile App and follow our socials to stay up to date with festival communication.

To allow the necessary time to safely evacuate the festival grounds, the evacuation notice may occur before any weather conditions are viewable.  We request that all fans follow the directions of festival staff and local law enforcement.

If the Evacuation is Temporary, Seek Shelter

Please be advised that tents, the VIP viewing platform, or any other temporary structure is not a safe place to seek shelter.  Safe shelter instructions are below.  Your designated shelter location is based on how you arrived at the festival.  Festival staff will be available to assist you.

Fans who parked:  Fans who parked will return to their vehicle to seek shelter.  Routes to return to each lot will be color coded on a map by corresponding lot color to assist you. Map will be released prior to the festival and added to this FAQ, as well as emailed to all festival purchasers.

Fans that arrived by Rideshare or drop off:   Fans that do not have access to a vehicle will seek shelter in the Grandstands. The entrances and routes will be marked on the festival map and evacuation route signage will be available for assistance.

Fans who are camping:  Fans who are camping will return to the campgrounds. Campers should not shelter in their tents.

Fans with disabilities:  Fans that may require additional time or assistance to evacuate are asked to check in at the Access Center upon arrival to the festival for additional information.

After a Temporary Evacuation

When fans are advised to seek temporary shelter, our intent is to restart the festival if weather permits.  Fans will be advised if/when it is safe to return to the festival.  Fans will be given ample time to re-enter the grounds before music will resume.

If it is determined that, after a temporary evacuation, the festival is not able to re-start due to Inclement Weather, fans will be notified that the festival is cancelled and asked to exit the grounds for the remainder of the day.

If the Festival is Cancelled Due to Weather

If the festival is cancelled for the remainder of the day, fans are asked to safely exit the festival grounds.  Fans who may not be able to easily exit may seek temporary shelter in the Grandstands.

Prepare in Advance

All Welcome to Rockville fans are asked to have a personal safety plan in place.  Your personal safety plan should include:

• Reviewing the festival map in advance
• Knowing your exits
• Know where you are to go if shelter is required
• Making a plan with everyone in your party on where to meet up in the event of a festival evacuation.
• If you are parking at WTR, please remember where you parked. We recommend that you pack and leave extra water in your car.

• If you use a rideshare service or get dropped off at WTR, note the route to the Grandstands for shelter.
• If you are camping at WTR, please place all non-tethered items in your vehicle before departing for the festival.  During inclement weather, campers should seek shelter in their vehicle and NOT inside a tent. There are permanent structures available at the campgrounds that are designated as a safe place to shelter.  These locations are noted on the camping map. In the event of inclement weather or any other emergency, campers will be notified via the campgrounds PA system and staff will be available to direct campers as needed.

What Is Moshing?

• Moshing occurs when a group of patrons run at and slam into each other during a show. It often takes place in a loosely organized circle within a general admission crowd (a “mosh pit”), although it can be as simple as two people repeatedly running into each other during a show and bouncing off in another direction.
• Moshing can occur in any area of a general admission crowd, including directly in front of the stages.

What’s the big deal about Moshing?

• Moshing can be dangerous to both participants and bystanders.
• Moshers can suffer bruises, cuts, sprains, and broken bones, especially where some participants are bigger than others, are moshing more aggressively, or if someone gets hit when they’re not ready.
• Moshing is also dangerous for non-participants standing nearby. A mosher who breaks through the circle can seriously injure a bystander who is just watching the show and not bracing for impact.

I don’t want to Mosh!! What can I do?

• Be aware of your surroundings! If you see a Mosh Pit forming near where you’re standing and are uncomfortable being in the proximity of such activities, find an alternate location from which to enjoy the performance!

What is Crowd Surfing?

• Crowd surfing occurs where a patron is lifted up onto the hands of other patrons, who then pass the surfer along the top of the crowd. Surfing can take place anywhere in a general admission crowd.
• Crowd surfing most commonly (but not always) occurs in the areas directly in front of the stages.
• Surfing most commonly (but not always) travels from the back of the crowd TOWARDS the stage.

What’s the big deal about Crowd Surfing?

• It is dangerous for both the surfer and other patrons.
• Crowd surfers have virtually no control of their bodies once they are above the crowd. Surfers can be groped, hit, or dropped. Although crowds experienced with surfers generally try to pass them towards the stage, there is no guarantee where or how the ride will end or how the surfer will find their friends in the crowd once they come down.
• Most of the audience is looking at the Stage! Surfers literally put their health and safety in the hands of people they don’t know who are paying attention to something else.
• Surfers also endanger other people. A crowd surfer struggling to stay aloft can kick someone in the head or poke them with their hands. Surfing is especially dangerous during an artist’s set, when most patrons are facing the stage and the surfer is being passed from behind them.

I don’t want to Crowd Surf!! What can I do?

• Be aware of your surroundings! If Crowd Surfing is taking place near where you’re standing, and you are uncomfortable being in the proximity of such activities, find an alternate location from which to enjoy the performance!