Getting There: ADA Parking & Entry
Public Transportation
The City of Huntsville provides accessible paratransit services. Visit https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/residents/streets/public-transportation/access/ to find out more about the accessible services and how to request them.
Parking
Pre-Paid Parking
Paid lots are located all around Joe Davis Stadium, which is across the street from the festival! Accessible spaces will be identified within these lots, nearest the festival entrance. **Note to park in an accessible space please have either an accessible vehicle hang tag or accessible license plate.
You can purchase pre-paid parking HERE.
Free Parking
There will also be first-come first-serve free parking at Milton Frank Stadium (2801 15th Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States), and the Aquatic Center (2213 Drake Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35805, United States). Follow signs directing to the festival entrance Via Drake and Leeman Ferry. It is a longer walk, so consider dropping off your friends before going to park! Accessible spaces are available within each lot. Anyone with a mobility disability should consider getting dropped off at Joe Davis Stadium, in the designated drop off area.
ADA Pickup & Drop-Off Location
Drop-off and pick-up is located at Joe Davis Stadium (3125 Don Mincher Dr SW, Huntsville, AL 35801).
Accessible Festival Entrance
There is a specially designated lane at the Festival entrance for patrons with disabilities. Look for the signs with the international symbol of access above the accessible entrance lane or ask a staff member to direct you to the lane.
Where is the ADA Accessibility Center onsite?
The Access Center will be located inside the Guest Services Tent by the main Festival entrance gate. Please look for the Guest Services signage.
Our Access Center services include, but are not limited to:
- Answers to questions specific to the Accessibility Program
- Information relevant to our patrons with disabilities
- Requests for accessibility wristbands
- Power outlets for recharging powered mobility devices
- Programming information in large print for reference
- Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs)
How do I gain access to the accessible viewing areas?
South Star works to make sure that all festival fans have an enjoyable experience. All Festival attendees must have an event ticket for admission into the Festival, and purchasing a separate accessible ticket is not necessary.
Upon arrival, please visit the Access Center for information on the accessibility wristband program. Patrons with mobility impairments or Deaf/Hard of Hearing patrons can request an accessibility wristband at the Access Center. This wristband is to show Festival staff that the patron plus one companion is eligible to enter the accessible viewing areas for patrons with mobility needs or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferable.
Note: The wristband does not guarantee a spot in these areas. Please note that both viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot save or reserve seats or areas on the platform. Once it’s determined that an accessible viewing area is filled to capacity (including adequate aisle space for entering and exiting the area), the area will not be available for additional entry.
Signage will be placed at the Festival identifying all viewing areas including accessible viewing areas for patrons with mobility needs and patrons who are Deaf / Hard of Hearing. Accessible viewing areas are marked with the International Symbol of Access on the Festival Map. To see the designated accessible viewing locations, please visit the Access Center for a map of the festival grounds, visit the map on the official Festival website, or the map on the official Festival app.
Viewing Area Wristband Policies
- Accessibility Program wristbands to access Accessible seated viewing platforms and Deaf / Hard of Hearing viewing areas are good for the whole weekend.
- Do NOT remove your wristband for the entire duration of the event. If your Accessibility program wristband is damaged or removed, it can be replaced at the Access Center.
- One companion will be admitted with each guest with an accessible viewing area wristband.
- If a guest wants to switch their companion, please notify a guest services representative.
All festival attendees must have an event ticket for admission into the Festival.
Wheelchair Accessibility / Where can I charge my power wheelchair?
The Festival is wheelchair accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and attractions. It is outdoors and across city streets and pathways. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud.
The Festival does not provide personal care, golf cart rides, or push service of any kind or wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by patrons with mobility disabilities. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Patrons should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.
Accessible portable toilets are available at the ends of each bank of portable toilets throughout the Festival venue.
Is ASL provided for musical performances? What other accessible services do you offer?
The Festival provides many American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted music performances for patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Please email access@southstarfestival.com to request a specific performance be interpreted.
We ask that you make a request no later than August 28, 2024 to allow adequate time to prepare. We will make every effort to accommodate, but cannot guarantee, requests not timely submitted. Please email access@southstarfestival.com.
A schedule of interpreted performances will be posted here.
I have a special dietary need and/or have prescription medicine that I need. Can I bring this?
Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the Festival, but if a patron has special medical dietary restrictions, items will be allowed. Email access@southstarfestival.com for more information.
Patrons are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the Festival, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the patron’s name. Our personnel at the entry gates will verify the contents of any medically necessary materials. Out of concern for the festival staff who handle the trash, please dispose of your medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal, which is located at the medical tent. Please see the official Festival map for the location of the medical tent. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the Festival.
Can I bring service animals?
Pets are not allowed within the Festival grounds. However, miniature horses and dogs, which have been trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, are welcome. If accompanied by a service animal, you will be provided a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal or you can request the form in advance from access@southstarfestival.com. Please enter through the accessible lane at the entrance.
How can I ask an accessibility or ADA question?
For any questions, please email: access@southstarfestival.com.