FESTIVAL ETIQUETTE

The Mountain USA 2026, LLC (“The Mountain”) and the Gatlinburg Convention Center (“Convention Center”) have adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy and will not permit behavior at the Festival by any The Mountain Attendee which negatively impacts the comfort, enjoyment, health, safety or well-being of other Attendees, performers, crew, event staff, and/or Convention Center personnel and contractors. In addition, violent, abusive, or disrespectful behavior caused by the use of alcohol and/or an illegal substance shall not be tolerated. Each Attendee agrees to comply with this policy, and further acknowledges that The Mountain and the Convention Center reserve the right to refuse admittance to or remove from the Festival (including the premises of the Convention Center) any Attendee who, in The Mountain or the Convention Center’s sole judgment, is conducting himself or herself in a manner that adversely affects the festival experience and/or safety of other Attendees, musicians, crew, vendors, and/or employees or contractors of The Mountain or the Convention Center. This also includes, but is not limited to: spousal abuse or violence directed at a family member. In all cases, The Mountain and the Convention Center shall not be liable to the Attendee for any damages, refund, or other compensation, including travel costs or any other claim as a result of such behavior.

Attendees acknowledge and understand that producing musical performances and appearances in a live setting involves building a stage, installing lighting and sound equipment, and setting up other related equipment, including wire and electrical equipment. The Mountain and the Convention Center will use good faith efforts to do this in a safe manner. Nevertheless, Attendees must stay away from and not touch any such materials or equipment, as improper use or interference with such materials or equipment can result in injuries to Attendee and/or any other person, including, but not limited to, falls, electric shocks, and bodily harm. In addition, Attendees are solely responsible for avoiding any contact whatsoever, whether purposeful, inadvertent, or accidental, with any production materials or equipment that may be present in the general vicinity of the staging areas around the venue. As set forth below, The Mountain and the Convention Center shall have no responsibility or liability to Attendee for any injuries Attendee suffers as a result of Attendee’s contact with such materials or equipment, regardless of whether such contact is intentional, inadvertent, or accidental.

During the Festival, Attendee shall abide by and conduct him/herself in accordance with all rules, regulations and directions of The Mountain and/or the Convention Center, including, but not limited to, the following: during a performance, presentation, question and answer session, or other event, Attendee shall not (i) attempt to move onto a stage on which any artist is performing, (ii) climb onto poles or other structures near the stage, (iii) throw anything onto or towards the stage, (iv) interfere with any lighting, sound or other equipment, and/or (v) do anything that may interfere with a performance or with the audience’s enjoyment of the performance. Attendee agrees to immediately comply with the requests of The Mountain and/or the Convention Center’s security personnel and/or crew.

The Convention Center is a no-smoking, tobacco-free facility, and smoking of any kind (tobacco, marijuana, e-cigs, vaping, etc.) is prohibited inside the Convention Center. Attendees acknowledge and accept the Convention Center’s no-smoking policy. Smoking of tobacco products may be allowed in specifically designated areas outside of the Convention Center.

The Mountain and the Convention Center have a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use, possession, purchase, or distribution of illegal controlled substances. Any violation of this policy will result in the violator being removed from the Festival. The responsible individuals may be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement officials for appropriate legal action, in The Mountain’s and/or the Convention Center’s discretion. In such cases, The Mountain and the Convention Center shall not be liable for any damages, refund, or other compensation, including travel costs or any other claim as a result of such behavior.

All bags must be a maximum 12″ x 12″ x 12″ and are subject to search prior to entry. 

The Mountain and the Convention Center have a “Zero Tolerance” policy regarding intentional and accidental damage to the Convention Center by an Attendee, whether caused as a result of negligence, intentional conduct, alcohol intoxication, or the influence of an illegal substance, or otherwise. Attendees causing any such damage agree to pay for identified damage prior to leaving the Convention Center. By attending the Festival, Attendee agrees to comply with this policy, and further acknowledges that any violation of this policy may result in removal from the Convention Center, in addition to other remedies available to The Mountain and the Convention Center. All Attendees acknowledge that it is The Mountain and the Convention Center’s policy to report incidents of illegal activity or behavior to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for appropriate legal action. In such cases, The Mountain and the Convention Center shall not be liable to any Attendee for any damages, refund, or other compensation, including travel costs or any other claim as a result of such behavior.

Photography with a fixed camera lens or unaltered mobile phone is permitted at the Festival, however, professional cameras (video or still) or cameras with detachable lenses are not permitted. Out of respect for the performers, please refrain from flash photography during ALL concerts. In addition, any and all videotaping or audio recording is prohibited, and no license is granted to any Attendee to use any video and/or audio portion of the Festival for any purpose. Attendees have no rights of any kind in the intellectual property of performers at the Festival, including, but not limited to, trademarks, copyrights, publicity rights, etc. Attendees have no right to alter any of the performances, the images and/or voices of performers and crew, and/or intellectual property of performers by the use of artificial intelligence or other digital alteration materials.

The Mountain staff and guests will be required to follow any and all health & safety protocols that have been put in place by the CDC and/or state and local governments at the time of the festival. This applies to COVID-19 and any/all other illnesses and diseases. By attending The Mountain, each Attendee agrees to abide by any and all protocols in place at the time of the event. Any refusal to comply with these protocols may result in The Mountain and/or the Convention Center Personnel prohibiting Attendee from attending Festival performances and events, and/or removing Attendee from the Festival and/or Venue, at Attendee’s sole expense and responsibility.