Guest Information

Arriving by Land

Parking is limited and ride sharing, such as Uber or Lyft, is encouraged.

Offsite parking is available at Bay Ridge Christian Church, St. Anne’s School of Annapolis, and Hillsmere Elementary School is available. A free shuttle service will be provided from 5:00-10:30pm.

No parking is permitted at the Bay Ridge Pool.

Onsite parking is ONLY available with a CBF issued parking pass. Sponsors and VIP ticket holders’ parking passes will be mailed on May 15. Please contact Taryn Dwan at tdwan@cbf.org with questions.

Arriving by Water

Beach check-in is available for those arriving by boat. Limited dinghy parking is available. Boat docking or anchoring on the CBF beach are strictly prohibited.

Wristbands and Cups

Wristbands and event cups will be provided upon entry. Wristbands must be worn throughout the event. Those not wearing a wristband will be subject to removal.

Each guest will receive one event cup to reuse and bring home. Bars will only provide service to individuals using a 2026 event cup.

Cash Raffle

This year we are doing a cash raffle with prizes of $2,500, $1,000, or $500. Limited
tickets are available and only 200 tickets will be sold. Tickets are $100 each.

Winner need not be present to win but must be at least 18 years of age. Raffle winners
will receive payment 10-14 days after the event and are required to provide legal names and W-2.

Weather

Bands in the Sand will be held rain or shine.

In the event of severe weather, decisions to delay or cancel the event will be made with great care. Any such decisions will be emailed to ticket purchasers as well as posted on the CBF website, CBF social media pages, and CBF phone line (410-268-8816).
Helpful Tips

Helpful Tips

• Bring your ID and ticket—both are required for entry
• Bring a beach chair or towel
• Wear comfortable shoes for the sand
• Bring sunglasses, hats, sunscreen and layers – winds tend to pick up later in the evening
• Do NOT bring any coolers, outside food or beverages, umbrellas, or pets—these items are not permitted
• Smoking is not permitted on the beach
• Please note that CBF is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is included with my ticket purchase?
A: The ticket is all inclusive at bars and the Bay Boardwalk restaurants—all you can eat and drink while enjoying three great bands on the beach.

Q: Is the price of my ticket tax deductible?
A: Yes, a portion of your ticket is considered a donation to CBF and therefore is tax deductible. The Fair Market Value of each ticket is $100.

Q: Are Committee tickets available this year?
A: We have decided to remove Committee tickets and sell parking passes separately this year to reduce confusion between the various ticket levels. Parking passes will include early access to the event.

Q: Can I pay for the charitable portion of my tickets using a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)?
A: Due to IRS regulations, we are unable to accept full or partial payments for tickets using a DAF. Please check with your fund manager for more details.

Q: Can I resell my ticket if I am unable to attend?
A: CBF does not assist with or recommend the resale of tickets. We do not have the ability to track the resale of tickets or troubleshoot if issues arise with these tickets.
Should you arrive with a ticket that has already been scanned, you will not be allowed entry to the event.

Q: Are bathrooms available on site?
A: Yes, we offer bathroom trailers and portable restrooms for your use.

Q: Is this a kid friendly event?
A: Children are not encouraged to attend. This is an evening event where alcohol will be served. There are no children’s activities and no reduced ticket price offered.

Q: Are there accessibility accommodations available?
A: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s headquarters, the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, is ADA accessible and was designed to support inclusive access. Bands in the Sand occurs predominantly outside on our bay beach property. We are committed to making the event welcoming and accessible for everyone to fully enjoy. We are currently able to provide:

• designated parking spaces near the entrance;
• step-free, ADA compliant ramps and doorways;
• beach viewing area.
• While our event provides outside luxury bathroom trailers and portable restrooms, indoor restrooms are available for anyone requiring ADA compliant facilities. Additional ADA portable restrooms can be found on the beach property.

For any additional information or assistance, please contact Adelle Thrush at athrush@cbf.org.