Blyth.Opening Night Harvest Stage – Copy – Copy-2

Our unique outdoor theatre!

The Harvest Stage

The Harvest Stage is a unique venue created to bring our performances outside into the community and the landscape that inspires them.

Built in 2021

The Harvest Stage is a permanent open-air, fully accessible amphitheatre, with a thrust stage and audience on three sides. It’s an intimate venue with open skies above.

Set in a prime position in the northwest corner of the fairgrounds site in Blyth, the Harvest Stage has a shade canopy for the comfort of the audience. We have also planted a number of indigenous trees to help with shade.

Gil-on-Stage

Gil on the Harvest Stage

Evening performances

Shows at the Harvest Stage run June through September each year. All performances are in the evening, to make the most of the cooler night-time temperatures and gentle breezes.

Seating Plan

Whichever seat you choose, you’ll be close to the action. All seats are positioned under our semi-opaque fabric canopy. If it rains performances will be moved indoors to Memorial Hall.

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Blyth Festival Harvest Stage FAQs

How to find the Harvest Stage

Blyth Festival Harvest Stage is located in the NW corner of the Blyth Community Centre grounds. at 377 Gypsy Lane, Blyth, Ontario. Blyth lies on the junction of Highway 4 and Highway 25 in Huron County, Ontario.

Download a map of Blyth and the Harvest Stage here (PDF).

Arrival times

Please arrive 20-30min ahead of the performance start time to allow for check in and walking to the performance site.

Parking lot

The main parking area is located at the Blyth Arena parking lot, with access to the arena parking lot from Gypsy Lane. There is an approximately 400m walk, on a well-packed gravel road from the parking lot to the Harvest Stage. Please allow 10-15 minutes for leisurely travel from the parking lot to the stage.

Accessible parking

There are 8 barrier free parking spots, and 2 limited mobility parking spots at the Harvest Stage site, close to the stage. There is also the possibility of dropping off your loved one close to the site and then parking at the parking lot. Please advise box office staff of accessibility needs at the time of ticket purchase. With limited accessible parking, we do our best to reserve the spaces ahead of time.

Ticket collection

After parking, if you don’t have your tickets with you, make your way to the Blyth Festival check-in booths.

All tickets are divided by last name, with each booth handling one half of the alphabet (A-M & N-Z). Please go to the booth marked with the first letter of the **last** name your tickets were booked under.

Staff will have your tickets printed and ready for pickup, and can answer any questions you have. If you have had your tickets mailed and have lost them, staff will be happy to help you.

How far is it from the parking lot to the stage?

The Outdoor Harvest Stage is located in a small valley on the northwest side of the Blyth Fairgrounds. There is an approximately 400m walk, on a well-packed gravel road from the parking lot to the Harvest Stage. This walk is mostly flat until it slopes into the ‘bowl’ that houses the stage area. In your planning, please allow 10-15 minutes for leisurely travel from the parking lot to the stage.

What to wear

Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, as you will be walking on a pavement, gravel, and grass to reach the stage area. We suggest bringing a light sweater in case the temperature drops as the summer progresses.

You may want to also consider sunscreen and/or bug spray, and (if you wish) a cushion for your chair.

COVID precautions

Please do not attend the theatre if you are not well, or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, temperature equal to or over 38°C, feeling feverish, chills, fatigue or weakness, muscle or body aches, new loss of smell or taste, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms). Call the Box Office and alternate arrangements will be discussed.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, your party will be directed to return home, self-isolate and seek medical attention. Alternate ticketing arrangements will be discussed the next business day.

Hand sanitizer will be available at multiple locations at the site.

Restrooms

The primary restrooms for the Harvest Stage are located in Shed 3. You will walk by them on the way to the stage. There are also temporary portable toilets closer to the stage.

Face coverings/masks

We anticipate that all Festival staff and volunteers will continue to wear masks for the 2023 season. Decisions about audience mask requirements will be made closer to the summer season.

We know that masking is one way we can continue to care for each other as a community. Our long-term planning is dedicated to keeping our performers, volunteers, staff, and audiences as safe as possible throughout the summer. We are also particularly aware of safeguarding members of our community who are immunocompromised and therefore at greater risk.

Hearing Assist Devices

Hearing Assist Devices are available at Harvest Stage performances – please ask Box Office or Front of House staff and one will be provided. At the Harvest Stage, all performers will be using microphones.

Intermission

In 2023, all productions at the Harvest Stage will have an intermission. Please see the show-specific pages for intermission details.

Latecomers

Latecomers will be admitted at the discretion of the House Manager. No refunds will be issued to latecomers who are not seated.

Food and drink

Alcohol is not permitted at the Harvest Stage site. You are welcome to bring your own bottled water and non-alcoholic bottled beverages.

Children’s Tickets

The Blyth Festival summer programming is primarily for mature audiences, so may not be suitable for younger children. All children must have a ticket to attend a performance. Babes in arms will not be admitted into a performance at the Harvest Stage during the summer season.

Pets

Sorry no pets are allowed in the Harvest Stage amphitheatre, with the exception of service dogs.

Adverse Weather

In the event of significant rainfall, or extreme weather, Harvest Stage performances may be moved indoors to Memorial Hall. All ticket holders will be contacted and directed to Memorial Hall. In this case, seating will be by general admission.

If it would be unsafe for audiences to travel to or from the venue (for example a tornado warning) the performance will be cancelled. All ticket holders will be contacted to let them know we’ve had to cancel.

How to find the Harvest Stage in Blyth

Turn into the parking lot from Gypsy Lane and find a space. Then check in at the ticket booth. There is an approximately 400m walk, on a well-packed gravel road from the parking lot to the Harvest Stage. Please allow 10-15 minutes for leisurely travel from the parking lot to the stage.

There is a drop-off point just outside the amphitheatre, and accessible parking at the side of the stage area. Washrooms are located just south of the stage area.