Boots and Hearts is one of the biggest country music festivals in Canada, taking place every August in Oro-Medonte, Ontario. With over 30 artists performing on multiple stages over 4 days, Boots and Hearts draws tens of thousands of passionate country fans each year. Naturally, with a festival of this size and popularity, Boots and Hearts tickets are always in high demand. So how much do Boots and Hearts tickets normally cost? Let’s take a closer look.
History of Boots and Hearts Ticket Prices
Boots and Hearts debuted in 2012 as a 2-day festival, with tickets priced at around $100 for general admission. Since then, the festival has expanded to 4 days, with ticket prices increasing accordingly.
Here’s a quick overview of how Boots and Hearts ticket prices have evolved over the years:
Year | Ticket Type | Price |
---|---|---|
2012 | 2-Day GA | $99 |
2013 | 2-Day GA | $129 |
2014 | 3-Day GA | $169 |
2015 | 4-Day GA | $229 |
2016 | 4-Day GA | $239 |
2017 | 4-Day GA | $259 |
2018 | 4-Day GA | $269 |
2019 | 4-Day GA | $289 |
2022 | 4-Day GA | $319 |
As you can see, general admission ticket prices have steadily risen over the past decade, going from just under $100 in 2012 to $319 in 2022. This reflects both inflation over time as well as the festival’s growth in size, duration, and popularity.
Types of Boots and Hearts Tickets and Current Prices
Currently, there are several ticket options available for Boots and Hearts, beyond general admission:
– **General Admission (4-day pass)** – $319
– **VIP (4-day pass)** – $849
– **Platinum (4-day pass)** – $1,299
– **Super VIP (4-day pass)** – $1,799
– **Camping (per campsite)** – $150
The VIP, Platinum, and Super VIP packages offer various upgrades like exclusive lounges, premium viewing areas, free drinks, and more. Camping tickets are required for those who want to camp on-site at the festival grounds.
So while general admission runs $319 for the 4-day festival, prices can climb up to almost $1,800 for the top Super VIP ticket. The camping add-on is $150 per campsite.
Factors Impacting Boots and Hearts Ticket Prices
Several key factors account for the pricing of Boots and Hearts tickets each year:
– **Lineup strength** – The bigger the headline artists, the higher demand typically is, allowing for higher ticket prices. A strong lineup means fans are willing to pay more.
– **Festival growth** – As Boots and Hearts has grown over the years into one of Canada’s premier country festivals, it has allowed them to charge more for tickets.
– **Duration** – Expanding from 2 days to 4 days has allowed Boots and Hearts to justify higher ticket prices based on the amount of entertainment.
– **Overhead costs** – Producing a major 4-day festival requires significant overhead costs related to talent booking, staffing, rentals, infrastructure, and more. Ticket prices help cover these rising expenses.
– **Inflation** – As with any product or service, ticket prices gradually increase over time due to inflationary pressure. $100 in 2012 has much higher buying power than $319 in 2023.
– **Supply and demand** – Simple economics also plays a role. High demand for limited tickets enables Boots and Hearts to command higher prices.
So in summary, a mix of lineup strength, overhead costs, inflation, supply/demand, and the growth of the festival itself all contribute to Boots and Hearts’ increasing ticket prices over the past decade.
How Boots and Hearts Ticket Prices Compare to Other Festivals
Compared to other major multi-day country music festivals, Boots and Hearts lands solidly in the middle of the pack when it comes to ticket pricing:
– **Stagecoach (Indio, CA)** – $429 for 3-day GA
– **Faster Horses (Brooklyn, MI)** – $215 for 3-day GA
– **Tortuga Music Festival (Fort Lauderdale, FL)** – $275 for 3-day GA
– **Country Thunder (Florence, AZ)** – $170 for 4-day GA
– **Boots and Hearts (Oro-Medonte, ON)** – $319 for 4-day GA
– **Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose, AB)** – $239 for 4-day GA
So while certainly not the cheapest country festival, Boots and Hearts offers a pretty good value compared to the top festivals in the US. The pricing is very comparable to other leading Canadian country festivals like Big Valley Jamboree.
And considering the consistently strong lineups Boots and Hearts delivers each year, most fans seem happy to pay the prices as long as they get to see their favorite country stars perform.
Tips for Saving on Boots and Hearts Tickets
While standard ticket pricing for Boots and Hearts may seem expensive, especially when adding in camping passes, food, drinks, etc., there are some ways to try and save money:
– **Buy early** – Prices often increase leading up to the event as inventory shrinks. Buying as soon as tickets go on sale secures the lowest pricing.
– **Look for discounts** – Occasionally festival promoters will offer discounts or special coupon codes to help fill remaining inventory. Check social media and email newsletters for any deals.
– **Stick to GA** – The VIP, Platinum, and Super VIP packages may offer some nice perks but carry much higher price tags. General admission gets you in the door to see the same shows.
– **Share camping costs** – Splitting a campsite with friends is a great way to cut costs. The more people that can cram in, the cheaper it is per person.
– **BYOB food/drinks** – Festival food and drinks are expensive. Bring your own supplies to keep costs down.
– **Carpool** – Coordinate with friends to carpool to the festival and split gas costs. Parking is $40 per car.
– **Volunteer** – Volunteering at Boots and Hearts for a shift gets you free entry in exchange for a little work.
How Much Are Boots and Hearts Tickets in 2023?
For the 2023 edition, here are the current Boots and Hearts ticket prices:
– **4-Day General Admission** – $339
– **4-Day VIP** – $899
– **4-Day Super VIP** – $1999
– **Camping (per site)** – $160
So GA tickets have seen a slight bump up to $339 for 2023. VIP is now $899, while the top Super VIP package doubled to $1999. Camping went up by $10.
The pricing increase for 2023 reflects growing overhead costs for the festival, as well as strong ongoing demand from country fans. As one of the premiere country music destinations in Canada, Boots and Hearts continues to draw big crowds willing to pay higher ticket prices for the experience.
While the prices may cause some sticker shock, they are quite comparable to other leading country festivals in North America when you factor in the number of days and caliber of talent at Boots and Hearts.
Fans still regard Boots and Hearts as one of the best bang-for-your-buck country music experiences out there. The festival seems poised to sell out quickly in 2023 even with the small price hike.
The Bottom Line on Boots and Hearts Ticket Prices
In summary, here are some key takeaways on Boots and Hearts ticket pricing:
– Prices have risen steadily from around $100 in 2012 to $339 for 2023 GA tickets.
– VIP, Platinum, Super VIP packages range from $899 to $1999.
– Camping is an extra $160 per campsite.
– Prices reflect lineup strength, overhead costs, inflation, supply/demand, and growth of the festival.
– Boots and Hearts prices are very comparable to top US and Canadian country festivals.
– Fans can save by buying early, finding discounts, minimizing upgrades, sharing costs, and more.
While not the cheapest festival, Boots and Hearts still offers a terrific value for country music fans. The festival has earned its reputation as a bucket-list event for any country fan.
And even with ticketing and camping costs factored in, the memories and musical moments shared with fellow fans at Boots and Hearts are priceless.
Conclusion
Boots and Hearts has become a world-class country music festival, and the ticket prices reflect that. While general admission tickets now cost $339 for 2023, the quality of talent and the overall festival experience make it worthwhile for most country enthusiasts.
Smart shopping, cost-sharing, and early purchasing can help mitigate the prices. At the end of the day, being able to dance and sing along to your favorite country stars in the summer sun, surrounded by like-minded fans, carries great value.
For the thousands of devoted Boots and Hearts fans who flock back to Oro-Medonte each August, the ticket prices are a small price to pay for country nirvana. As the festival continues to grow, ticket costs will likely keep pace. But the special magic of Boots and Hearts endures.