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LIGHT THE WAY MUSIC FESTIVAL FAQs

 

Last updated: FEBRUARY 1, 2025

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FAQs 

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SCHEDULE
Friday, September 12th, the gates open at 4:00 pm. Saturday, September 13th, the gates open at 3:00 pm. Music will typically start 45-60 minutes after the gates open. Times are subject to change. 

 

ABOUT THE EVENT
The two-day Light the Way Music Festival will be held at Johnny Morris’ Bass Pro’s Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Mo. With uncertain weather in September, it could be hot or could be cold and rainy, so plan accordingly. 

 

LOCATION INFORMATION
The event is held on the property of Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, 1901 State Hwy 86, Ridgedale, MO 65739. This is a state-of-the-art live music venue in an outdoor amphitheater setting in the Ozark hills.
 
ADMISSIONS
All children seven and under are FREE, and no ticket is required. Tickets are required for all others. Ticket prices vary depending on General Admission, saving periods, and ticket types. You must have your ticket ahead of time. To obtain your ticket, visit www.lightthewayministry.com. 

 

ACCESSIBILITY | ADA SEATING AND PARKING
Light the Way Music Festival along with Thunder Ridge Nature Arena strives to provide exceptional service to all guests including those with disabilities. This event | venue meets or exceeds the requirement of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state of Missouri accessibility mandates.

 

Accessible seating is limited and reserved exclusively for guests with accessible requirements and their companions. Guests requiring accessible seating may purchase one (1) accessible seat and one (1) companion seats adjacent to the accessible seat. Depending upon availability, seats for additional guests will be located as close as possible to the accessible space. 

 

PARKING 
All general admission parking fees at Light the Way Music Festival | Thunder Ridge Nature Arena are included with a valid festival ticket. To learn more about Thunder Ridge Nature Arena Parking and more please CLICK HERE! 

BAG POLICY

 

For more information about Light the Way Music Festival | Thunder Ridge Nature Arena Bags Policy, please CLICK HERE! 

 


BANNERS & SIGNS
Light the Way Music Festival along with Thunder Ridge Nature Arena allows banners, flags, and signs sized 11” x 17” or smaller. Banners or signs that exceed those restrictions will be confiscated as will signage displaying content deemed to be inappropriate by our team. Poles, sticks, or dowels used to hold banners, signs, or flags will not be permitted. Please note, that some shows may not allow any signs of any size.

 

CAMERA POLICY
Non-professional still cameras are permitted at the Light the Way Music Festival. Restrictions on the use of still and video cameras vary by event and are determined by the event producer. 

 

Professional photography, video recording of any kind, and/or flash photography are prohibited. This policy will be strictly enforced and management reserves the right to deny any electronic device at their discretion (no GoPro-type cameras, no selfie sticks). Guests should contact Light the Way Ministry prior to attending an event to find out if a camera or other recording device is permitted. Cameras with detachable lenses are not permitted at any event. Cameras are only permitted to enter the venue outside any type of case or bag.

 

CASHLESS VENUE
Light the Way Music Festival & Thunder Ridge Nature Arena accepts debit and credit card transactions only. No cash is accepted and no reverse ATMs are available inside the arena. However, some artists will accept cash for artist merchandise sales. 

 

FAN ZONE
Light the Way Music Festival is excited to have its first-ever Fan Zone. The Fan Zone at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena will be open when the parking lot opens. Arrive early and enjoy a unique shopping experience, food vendors, games, crafts, and more!

 

WATER FILLING STATIONS
This year with our partnership at this venue, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena offers several water filling stations throughout the venue. Empty, soft, squeezable plastic refillable water bottles are allowed inside the venue and will be checked at the security entrance.

 

STROLLERS
For patron safety, strollers are not allowed inside Thunder Ridge Nature Arena.

 

SMOKING & VAPING
Light the Way Music Festival along with Thunder Ridge Nature Arena is a non-smoking facility. This includes vapes and e-cigarettes.

 

SHUTTLES
Light the Way Music Festival along with Thunder Ridge Nature Arena does not shuttle guests to/from hotels or resorts. Please check with your hotel or resort to inquire about shuttle service to/from the venue.

 

SECURITY
All guests at Light the Way Music Festival and Thunder Ridge Nature Arena are subjected to be screened by walk-through metal detectors and/or security hand-held wands. All bags will be inspected upon entry. Light the Way Music Festival and Thunder Ridge Nature Arena reserves the right to confiscate items that may cause danger or disruption to the event or other guests, or which are in breach of building policies and/or prohibited items.

 

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
All sales are final. No refunds will be available. Suppose you run into a situation and are unable to attend the festival. In that case, we suggest gifting your tickets to a friend, or you can donate them back to the ministry, and we gift them out to families who cannot afford to attend.
 
I PURCHASED A TICKET, AND I LOST IT, OR I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT. WHAT DO I DO? 
Please email support@brushfire.com for assistance with purchased tickets.

 

BAG POLICY
There is a clear bag policy at the Light the Way Music Festival and Thunder Ridge Nature Arena. Small purses and handbags are permitted and will be subject to a security check upon entering the venue. No backpacks, duffle bags, large sacks, or cases will be permitted inside Thunder Ridge Nature Arena. Guests will be asked to return these items to their vehicles.

  • Clear Bag/Totes - no larger than 12 x 6 x 12

  • Small Clutch Purse - no bigger than the palm of your hand 4.5 x 6.5

  • Medical and Diaper bags are allowed and must be checked in upon entry.

 

For more information, please visit our Bag Policy page.

 

WHAT CAN I BRING TO THE FESTIVAL?
All your family and friends! 

 

WHAT NOT TO BRING
The following items are not allowed inside Thunder Ridge Nature Arena and are set by the venue policy.

  • Weapons of Any Kind (Including but not limited to): Knives, Guns, Tasers, Chains

  • Studded or spiked jewelry

  • Outside Food & Beverages

  • Large Bags or Backpacks

  • Alcohol

  • Coolers of any kind

  • Illegal drugs/substances

  • Binoculars

  • E-Cigarettes & Vape Pens

  • Glass containers

  • Laser pointers, Glow Sticks, Confetti. Glitter or Fireworks / Sparklers

  • Animals (with the exception of service animals)

  • Umbrellas of any kind

  • Strollers, carts, or wagons

  • Professional cameras with detachable lenses

  • Selfie sticks. Go Pros, Tablets, iPads & Drones

  • Balloons

  • Banners or signs

  • Bikes 

  • Skateboards

  • Inline/Roller Skates

  • Brochures/Stickers/Handouts

  • Grills or open flames (inside or outside the venue)

  • Sporting equipment

  • Tents or tent stakes

  • Poster Tubes

  • Aerosol sunscreen

  • Chew Tobacco 

 

FIRST AID
Emergency Management Services will be on-site throughout the festival. Please note Light the Way Festival or Thunder Ridge Nature Arena does not accept any responsibility before, during, or after the festival for any personal injury.  

EMERGENCY EVACUATION
In the event of an emergency, please remain calm and WALK to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion. Follow posted signs and listen to announcements for specific instructions. In some circumstances you will be directed to remain in place and staff will direct you where to go. If you are disabled, trained staff members will assist you in getting to safety.

 

LOST AND FOUND
If you have lost an item and would like to retrieve it, we ask that you click here and fill out the form. 

 

MEDIA REQUEST
Learn more about event credentials and media requests by clicking here

 

WHERE TO STAY
Unfortunately, for this year, camping is not an option but a goal for the future. Meanwhile, look to our website for suggested hotel partners in the area.   

 

FOOD AND DRINK
We have a variety of food and drink vendors that will be on-site. Some vendors will accept debit or credit cards. All vendors will accept cash. 

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WEATHER ISSUES

Light the Way Music Festival continues rain or shine. However, if there is severe weather, we may delay or cancel shows. Campers may also be asked to move campsites depending on the condition of the grounds. For the latest info, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

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ADMISSION DISCLAIMER
Any person who enters the Light the Way Music Festival and/or Thunder Ridge Nature Arena grounds assumes all risk of personal injury and loss or damage to property. The management reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone. Management is not responsible for any lost or stolen property or any vehicle at Light the Way Music Festival. Light the Way Ministry and Thunder Ridge Nature Arena reserve the right to search individuals, personal property, and vehicles. Commercial photography and filming activities are conducted on the festival grounds, and a Light the Way Festival attendee or personal property may appear in resulting photographic pictures or films, which may be used in connection with advertising, news, reporting, entertainment, or other commercial or non-commercial activities. Entry onto the Light the Way Music Festival grounds and/or purchase of an admission ticket constitutes permission and consent for Light the Way Ministry or Thunder Ridge Nature Arena and its licensees to use the resulting photographs and films for any purpose whatsoever without payment.
 

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Contact Us

If you have any questions about these terms and conditions or if you need to contact us, please send your question to the address below Light the Way Ministry, 5002 N 22nd Street, Ozark, Mo 65721 or email us at info@lightthewayministry.com

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