TicketNetwork Forest
Summer Concert Series
- About TicketNetwork Forest
- Forest Concert Series
- Sign the Petition
- TicketNetwork Forest Approval
- E-Mail your Mayor
- Forest News
- Forest Support
- Green Initiatives
- Benefits to the Vernon/Rockville Community
- Contact Information
- Quick Facts
- F.A.Q.
About TicketNetwork Forest
TicketNetwork Forest is a planned seasonal concert venue that will be based in Vernon, Connecticut beginning in the summer of 2010. The venue will embrace state-of-the-art tactics to maintain the environment, enhance the vicinity surrounding the site, as well as provide residents with employment and stimulate the local economy.
The Forest’s main sponsor, TicketNetwork, has been based in Vernon for almost a decade, and has been a long time supporter of the community and its residents. The company employs 33 Vernon/ Rockville residents and provides employment to 230 employees overall, most of who live in the areas surrounding Vernon and elsewhere in Connecticut. TicketNetwork is the fastest growing technology company in Connecticut and the largest company in Vernon.
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The Forest Concert Series
The TN Forest Summer Stage will be located on nine acres between downtown Hartford and the Boston area where a maximum of 20 summer outdoor concerts a year at the Forest Summer Stage will be held. The Connecticut venue is tentatively scheduled to open its doors in the summer of 2010, pending town approval, and will host a variety of country groups and classic rock bands, with the venue accommodating 1390 concertgoers.
TicketNetwork Forest Town Approvals
The Forest has already gone through, and continues to go through, a rigorous approval process.
The Vernon Inland Wetlands Commission voted unanimously to approve the Forest’s application. The study on the property was completed by R.E.M.A Ecological Services.
Vernon’s Town Planner has been thoroughly engaged in the project. TicketNetwork Forest has so far received a Design Review approval, as well as met the Planning and Zoning compliance regulations.
Vernon’s Traffic Authority, chaired by the Chief of Police, has approved the parking and signage plans for the TicketNetwork Forest.
The Vernon Economic Development Commission unanimously approved the Forest venue, recognizing the impacts the venue can have on the local economy.
The Conservation Commission unanimously approved the venue, citing the low impact the Forest will have on the surrounding environment.
Forest News
There has been extensive coverage of the Forest in various local papers. For articles please refer to the Hartford Courant, Reminder News, or the Journal Inquirer.
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Forest Supporters
Petitions and letters of support for the Forest have been received from:
Tolland County Chamber of Commerce (based in Vernon)
Think "Green" Pest Control, LLC
Little Mark's Big BBQ
Connecticut Valley Orthodontics
EMCOR
Wood N' Tap
Comfort Inn
Howard Johnson
Holiday Inn Express
Enterprise Renovations
Friendly's
Oriental Café
Green Initiatives
The TicketNetwork Forest series will be the first green concert venue in Connecticut by utilizing temporary staging equipment and renewable resources. This will prevent excess noise from being dispersed into the town. In addition, TicketNetwork is committed to maintaining the integrity of the area surrounding the venue and is planning a Wetlands Restoration Project for the undeveloped area. TicketNetwork has revitalized 29.75 acres in an effort to maintain and preserve the area’s natural beauty. TicketNetwork will work with local volunteers, organizations, and the Conservation Commission to maintain the Tankerhoosen river area under the guidance of REMA ecological services. All of these improvements and preservationist activities will be conducted in cooperation with local government, environmentalists and scientists to protect our environmental resources. The venue has been specifically designed to muffle the noise by directing it towards I-84. The equipment shack will be the only permanent structures that remain after the concert season. TicketNetwork is exploring positive, alternative uses of the parking lots in the off season.
Economic Benefits for Vernon/Rockville and surrounding communities
According to the Arts and Economic Prosperity Calculator, provided by the Americans for the Arts, TicketNetwork Forest will
Create over 70 seasonal jobs for the venue from parking attendants, security, box office workers, event staff and vendors.
Generate $43,690 in additional local government revenue.(1)
Produce $55,234 in additional state government revenue.(1)
Result in $1,480,000 in total expenditures.(2)
Arts, culture, and tourism are a valuable part of a local and state economy. Connecticut taxpayers save $196 a year in taxes due to tourism related expenditures and their contributions to local revenues. (1)(3)
Based on the aforementioned calculator, the TicketNetwork Forest will contribute to the local economy by creating a ‘spill over’ effect on Vernon businesses with 1,500 overnight stays in local hotels, and 6,000 pre-concert dinners at local restaurants. The venue’s proximity to the I-84 corridor makes access to local businesses easy.
Marketing of the Concert Series will promote business opportunities in Vernon. TicketNetwork will spend an estimated $200,000 on advertising. All advertisements will mention Vernon, increasing awareness of local business opportunities.
Quick Facts
Weekly Concerts will be held on Friday, Saturday, or Holiday evenings from approximately 7-11pm. The proposed venue location is 60 Frontage Road adjacent to exit 66 off of I-84.
Music genres include Country as well as Classic Rock bands.
All structures will be ADA accessible and constructed from temporary equipment, including staging, concession stands, facilities, etc.
Portable toilets will be removed and cleaned after every event.
At the end of the summer, all staging and temporary equipment will be removed, but natural trails and landscaping will remain. Landscapers will maintain the walking paths year round and help vitalize the local flora and fauna.
Sounds baffling technology will be installed to prevent sound from spilling over to adjacent neighborhoods.
Beer will be served, but security and police will be onsite to monitor crowds. Patrons must present IDs and receive a wristband to purchase beer. Alcohol will stop being served at 10:30pm.
Tailgating is strictly prohibited.
The music venue is scheduled to open in 2010, operating May through October with an expected attendance of approximately 1,390 people.
F.A.Q.
First Aid
If medical assistance is needed, please see any Security or Guest Services representative.
Refunds
There are no refunds or exchanges unless the show is cancelled.
Ticket Information
Acceptable forms of payment include: American Express, Visa®, MasterCard®, Discover, and cash. All tickets are subject to service fees.
Allowed Items
You are allowed to bring blankets into the lawn seating area. Umbrellas are not allowed inside the venue. We recommend wearing ponchos or other rain gear. The show will go on rain or shine.
Prohibited Items
Items not allowed in this venue include, but are not limited to: animals (with the exception of licensed service animals), illegal merchandise, stickers, signs, banners, open fires, fireworks, weapons, pliers, tools, laser pointers, professional cameras, video recorders, audio recorders, digital recorders and wallet chains. No food or drinks, or beverage containers or coolers can be brought into the venue with you. There are several concession areas selling food and ice cream inside and beer is also available inside the venue. Please call the box office on the show day for more information.
Dress Code
While there is no official dress code, management reserves the right to deny entry to guests wearing clothing items displaying offensive text and/or images.
Parking
The venue has on site parking available. Parking is available for an additional charge. V.I.P. Parking is limited and may be purchased in advance. If available, V.I.P. Parking is also sold at the entrance to the lot on the day of the show (cash only). Handicapped Accessible parking is available for no additional fee and is adjacent to our main entrance.
Photography
Please note that some artists do not allow the use of professional cameras. Subject to artist approval and varies by event, please call ahead to confirm. Most consumer level cameras are acceptable.
Tailgating
Tailgating is not allowed in our parking lots.
Public Transportation
Taxis are available in the area. Please see a Guest Services representative for assistance or contact Ace Taxis directly at (860) 244-9999.
Concessions
We feature a variety of selections including sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers, nachos, popcorn and candy. Beer is available for purchase for most events.
Wheelchair Access
The Forest is fully ADA accessible. Wheelchair seating is available throughout the venue.
Re-entry Policy
Generally, re-entry to the venue after exiting is not permitted. For extraordinary circumstances, please visit a Guest Services representative at the main entrance before leaving.
Security
If security assistance is needed, please see any Security or Guest Services representative.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located throughout the facility and are handicapped accessible.
Alcohol Policy
No alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought into the venue. Photo identification is required to purchase beer. Guests will be ejected and/or arrested if found providing alcoholic beverages to minors or guests without photo identification.
Children
All patrons, regardless of age, will be required to have a ticket.
Merchandise
Artist souvenirs are available for purchase next to the main entrance.
Will Call
Guests picking up tickets at Will Call may do so at our box office during regular business hours or on the day of the show. A picture ID is required and purchasers should also bring the credit card used to make the purchase. The box office will only release tickets to the person whose name is on the account. We will not allow patrons to leave tickets at Will Call. Fan club and VIP tickets may require day of show pick up only. Please check at time of purchase.
Inspections
Guests are subject to bag searches and various levels of screening subject to artist or management discretion.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any area enclosed within a fence.
Rates
VIP parking is available for an additional charge.
1Tax figures are estimates according to the American for the Arts organization and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. Found at http://www.artsusa.org/information_services/research/services/economic_impact/005.asp.
2According to an Americans for the Arts research study, the median spending per person at a concert venue is $27.79, which is in addition to the price of admission. On average, local attendees spend $19.53 (per person per event) above the cost of admission and non-local attendees spend $40.19.
The Arts and Economic Prosperity III study also includes an Arts and Economic Prosperity Calculator, which calculates local economic impact estimates based on population, venue expenses, and total attendance. The calculator generates the average number of full-time equivalent jobs created, local and state government revenue, as well as the overall industry impact in total dollars.
The Americans for the Arts Arts and Economic Prosperity III, and previous two studies have been widely used by many groups, government agencies and developers to evaluate the economic impact related to arts and cultural event venues and their impact on local economies. (Arts and Economic Prosperity III. Americans for the Arts. May, 2007. Page 1.)
3The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism estimates that Connecticut households save $196 a year in state and local taxes due to tourism related expenditures and their contributions to local revenues. (Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. The Economic Impact of the Arts, Film, History, and Tourism in Connecticut. www.cultureandtourism.org, 2006.)
