FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Do I Get an Invite? We'd love to have you attend! Everyone who is on our Email list will automatically get the invite to be here simply by being on the list. All you need to do is RSVP through the link one of those emails; it asks for your name, how many people coming with you, both days or just one, if you're planning to camp, and for fun what town you're coming from. The RSVP confirmation page includes the address and directions, and this FAQ page will tell you most everything else you need to know!

Why Do I Have to Sign In at the Hospitality tent? The festival is on the grounds of a private residence, and our hosts want to know who everyone is on site - and that seems a small ask for letting us use their wonderful pavilion and beautiful grounds each year. It is also our most accurate count of attendees, which is hugely important for planning next year's event. Signing in only takes a moment and our Hospitality volunteers are happy to welcome you!

How Much Does It Cost? Mountville is an enormous volunteer effort and continues to happen because of your generous donations – whatever it’s worth to you. We incur a lot of expenses to put on the festival including some sizeable commitments in advance, so our advance donations are an incredible help. If you'd like to support us in advance, thank you - we now receive 100% of all donations through our Zeffy portal. We also can take checks and cash at Hospitality during the festival. Even if you aren't able to join us in person this year, your support helps ensure that we'll be here next year too (and everyone who donates gets the link to watch the livestream). 

How Can I/We Help? We always need and welcome volunteers to keep things running smoothly - you can sign up for a shift helping out (and meeting some great people while you do!) via our SignUp Genius link here. 

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS - if you are an RN/EMT, have CPR training, or other valuable first aid skills, please let us know when you RSVP. We'll plan on you not being needed, but it's always helpful to know what resources we have on hand. 

Is Mountville Handicapped-Accessible? Mostly! For those with mobility challenges, we have convenient drop off on the driveway near a wheelchair accessible portajohn, and smooth grass between there, Hospitality and a comfortable spot on the lawn, and plenty of helping hands as needed.

What Should I/We Bring? Skip the "bag drag" and let our food trucks take care of dinner! A different theme each night including vegetarian and gluten free options, with entrees generally ranging between $12 and $20. Otherwise, Mountville is generally BYO Everything - snack food, drink and tents. Please bring reusable water bottles that you can refill as much as you like! Nighttime is usually cool and likely damp, so you may want a sweater or hoodie and perhaps an extra pair of shoes for wandering through the wet night grass between song circles. We keep a few useful "I forgots" on hand at Hospitality tent like sunscreen and bug repellant, but you'll be most comfortable being self-sufficient. Our expectation is that alcohol will be enjoyed discreetly and in moderation – and please, if you drink, designate a driver or pack your sleeping bag. The late night campfire sessions are well worth staying for anyway!

Is Food Available Onsite? We will have food trucks on site, including vegetarian options for dinners. If you need snacks or other supplies, there is a Harris-Teeter grocery store in a shopping plaza on US 50 a few miles east at Stone Ridge, just before US 50 shrinks to 2-lane road. 

What About Weather? We run rain or shine, but we prefer shine and we run to our vehicles in the event of lightning nearby. Summer thunderstorms usually pass quickly, but you might also hear whispered lore about the “Mountville Bubble”….

May I Bring/Invite Friends? Of course! Please A) let us know how many are coming with you and B) have any of your friends who are meeting you here email us directly so we can get them on next year’s invite list. (We always love to know where people are coming from as well!)

Are Kids Welcome? Of course too! Rich and Dana have a large pond in their backyard and your children's safety is your responsibility. Please stay out of the pond and muddy shoals, and unfortunately the pond is too weedy for fishing this year. The creek that runs through the trees in the camping area (the headwaters of Bull Run) is mostly ankle deep, so there is an opportunity to muck about but water shoes are required due to the occasional broken glass or metal shards. Kids - please be kind to the creatures who live in our water year-round! And, it's never a bad idea to have a spare set of duds for the kid who gets wet and/or muddy.

Are Pets Allowed? Thanks for leaving your pets at home. If you have a registered service animal please contact us in advance.

Will it be Livestreamed? We plan to livestream all of the main stage performances; you can simply join us at any point during the weekend with a minimum $5 donation here. All of our advance donors will get the link in their Zeffy confirmation email as well. If you miss it, the video will be hosted on our YouTube channel afterwards - please take a moment to subscribe!

Can we camp to enjoy the late night song circles and old-time jam? Absolutely! The camping area opens at 4pm on Friday, and it's first-come, first-setup. There's plenty of shaded space on both sides of the creek for tent camping. We rent portajohns specifically for the camping area in addition to the main festival, and appreciate everyone's help keeping them clean. Overnight guests are welcome to join us for Sunday Morning pancake breakfast and lend some helping hands restoring the festival grounds back to Dana & Rich's home!

What is the Memory Garden? During the last 30 years we’ve been blessed with many friends, and lost some friends and beloveds along the way too. Dana and Rich have a beautiful memorial garden with candles and a memory journal near the Quiet Camping area that will be open to all who might want a few moments to reflect on someone sorely missed. 

We don't camp but we'd like to stay nearby for the weekend - what are our options? If you use AirBnB or some other site, we're zip code 20105. This Google search link will show you most of the options within about a 25 mile radius for Mountville weekend.

Can we park our RV? We have limited space and on first-come, first-served basis. Please contact us to see if we can accommodate your request.

Where can I learn more about the local history and sites you've mentioned? Read more about living Amidst Echoes of History here.

How does an artist get booked for the Main Stage? Interested performers will find that info at the bottom of our Contact Page. But we welcome any and all to join in our late night Campfire Jams and songwriter circles! If there isn't one going yet while the crew clears the pavilion, find yourself a nice spot by a torch or firepit, sit down and start playing - no doubt more will join you and quickly.

What is the Sycamore Song Circle? On Saturday at 1pm we give our Main Stage crew a break and set up an intimate songwriter round-robin down by the creek beneath the shade of the huge sycamore tree. Part showcase, part limited open mic (sign up in advance, first come-first serve), it is a wonderful way to hear some new voices, emerging songwriters and seasoned performers alike.