City to enforce camping regulations during festival

In a change to enforcement of longstanding City regulations regarding overnight camping on city streets in the downtown area, patrons of the Sisters Folk Festival (and other events), who were used to parking their campers and RVs on city streets for the weekend, will no longer be allowed to do that — and run the risk of being ticketed if they do.

Although longstanding City policies have prohibited overnight camping on city streets as well as on City property, including parks and the City right-of-way (ROW), over the years enforcement of those policies has been lax or non-existent. Now that the SFF attendance has reached about 4,000 each year, officials believe consistent enforcement of the no-camping regulation has become necessary to maintain the livability factor for Sisters residents during the festival.

The City ROW is defined as the space between the street and adjoining property line. In a large number of locations around Sisters, the ROW is the gravel shoulder where a sidewalk may eventually be built.

“Sisters Folk Festival is working to find a solution that works for our patrons, the residents, and the City during our events,” said SFF Creative Director Brad Tisdel. “We are working in partnership with the City of Sisters and the Sisters School District to provide an alternative at SPRD and Sisters High School for camping in RVs.”

The SFF has notified its patrons that, although over the years these spots in the ROW have been tempting locations to park a trailer or RV for the weekend, this year the City has indicated they may ticket any vehicles with persons camping in the ROW.

Additionally, parking and RV camping violations on vacant lots around Sisters will be strictly enforced by the City of Sisters during the festival. “If you do not have permission from a property owner to park or camp, you do so at the risk of being ticketed,” SFF patrons were warned.

Motel rooms, short-term rentals, and spaces in the Creekside Campground are booked a year in advance for the SFF weekend. People with RVs, campers, and tents can utilize the National Forest lands that surround Sisters.

In response to the enforcement policy, SFF has arranged for an overnight RV camping location in a portion of the Sisters High School parking lot as an option during the weekend.

Space is very limited and requires an advance parking/camping pass, available through the SFF website for $100.

Campers must also have an All-Events Pass to the 2019 SFF. With the location being about a mile from Village Green Park, biking and/or walking are reasonable and encouraged.

There will also be free shuttle buses scheduled a few times a day between the high school and the park.

The parking pass includes up to three nights of camping (Friday-Sunday).

RV campers must arrive between 11 a.m.

and 9 p.m.

on Friday, September 6, to guarantee their spot and be off the property by 9 a.m.

on Monday.

RVs up to 36 feet in length can be accommodated.

The parking lot option is considered dry camping, so there are no power or water hookups available.

Tisdel told The Nugget, “Thus far the response has been favorable and appreciative that there is an alternative to parking in the right-of-way throughout town.”

Quiet hours in the parking lot will be from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Generators are allowed (outside of quiet hours) but campers are encouraged to keep generator use to a minimum in consideration of other campers. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, although they are not allowed in festival venues unless they are registered service animals. Pets must be on leash at all times in the camping area. Campers are reminded to clean up after their dogs.

SFF patrons were told, “We appreciate your understanding of the City of Sisters municipal codes, and we want to be respectful of property owners, neighbors, and businesses as we continue to produce the Sisters Folk Festival, ‘Where All The Town’s A Stage’.”

For more information on the City’s camping and parking regulations visit the City’s website at http://www.codepublishing.com/OR/Sisters/, by contacting City Hall at 541-549-6022, or in person at Sisters City Hall located at 520 E. Cascade Ave.

The camping pass for Sisters High School parking lot is available through the SFF website at http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org under RV Camping, Get Your RV Camping Pass,

Tickets.