Safety & Accessibility

Looking for our website accessibility policy? Find it here.

Required safety protocols

Click each item below to learn more about our on-site safety requirements.

  • Adults and children over age 2* must wear a well-fitting respirator-style mask (like an N95 or KN95, not a surgical or cloth mask) throughout the event. These masks should not have exhalation valves (though SIP valves are fine).
  • Adult and child-sized respirators will be available onsite. You’re welcome to take some, though please refrain from trying on different masks at the event.
  • If removing your mask to eat or drink, please maintain as much distance from others as possible (e.g. at least 12 feet of space). Note that the area under the shelter is mask-mandatory for all attendees, so we advise moving to the perimeter of the event – there is ample space through the park for distancing.
  • Some performers may be unable to mask while they perform. Performers will use molecular (PCR-style testing) on the day of the event, and can only perform if negative.

*If you are medically unable to wear a respirator, or if you are attending with a child under 2, please check in with the welcome table so we can work to best support you, while keeping everyone as safe as possible.

Tip: Check out this guide on wearing a respirator from @sinistral.scribe, reviewed by Dr. Lyne Filiatrault (feel free to print and share).

  • Please take a COVID test on the day of the event and only attend if negative. Free rapid tests are still available at some pharmacies (map of participating pharmacies here) and from mutual aid groups like Masks 4 East Van. 
  • We hope to have free rapid tests available at the Clean Air Festival. We encourage you to test in the days following the event.
  • All performers will take molecular tests, and will only perform if they test negative. 
  • If you test positive in the days following the Clean Air Festival, we ask that you let us know at events[at]cleanairfestival.ca so we can inform other attendees (which will be done without sharing your name).

Tip: Check out this video and FAQ on how to properly do a rapid test from Protect Our Province BC.

  • Please don’t attend in-person if you or anyone in your household has had recent symptoms of infectious illness, or has had recent exposure to someone who’s COVID-positive (even if you test negative). We welcome you to join us online instead!
  • If you develop COVID-like symptoms following the festival (even without a positive test) or discover that a COVID exposure has occurred, please let us know at events[at]cleanairfestival.ca so we can inform other attendees (which will be done without sharing your name).

Tip: for support and tips to deal with a potential COVID infection, check out these resources:
People’s CDC: ‘What to do if you have COVID’
Clean Air Club: COVID+ plan
@sinistral.scribe: ‘I might have COVID, now what?’

  • Please refrain from wearing fragrances, or from smoking or vaping in the event area. 
  • Those looking for extra protection may consider using CPC mouthwash or nasal sprays before and after attending, but these are not a replacement for wearing a well-fitting mask.
  • To support risk assessment in the days prior to the event, we recommend checking the Canadian COVID-19 Hazard Index for estimated COVID levels.
  • We ask all attendees to follow our simple code of conduct.

The Clean Air Festival strives to foster in-person and online spaces where people of all genders, abilities, ages, cultures, and sexualities are safe and welcome. 

As such, discrimination and deliberately disruptive behaviour are not tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, fatphobic, ableist, ageist, or xenophobic comments and other discriminatory behaviour
  • Harassment, including sexual harassment
  • Bullying or violence
  • Pandemic denialism 

We reserve the right to remove attendees creating an unsafe environment on Festival premises (on site or online), or who engage in vandalism or theft during the Festival.

If at any time you are made to feel unsafe, please let a member of our support team know. Concerns or incidents can also be reported after-the-fact to our team at events[at]CleanAirFestival.ca

Please follow our required safety protocols to help ensure the annual Clean Air Festival is as safe, inclusive and accessible as possible. We believe that safety is not only a collective responsibility, but something that can be joyful, and a way to create communities of care. 

Our goal is to prioritize informed consent and the precautionary principle, and to centre the most impacted ‒ including those disproportionately impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

We recognize that access is a continuum, and there is always more we can do. We regard these measures as an imperfect work in progress, and welcome feedback.

Thank you for joining us to co-create a more accessible event, and for doing your part to keep our community safer!

Access Notes

September 7, 2025 (webinar and Q&A):

  • On Zoom, registration required. Questions may be submitted in advance during registration, or asked in real time during the Q&A period. 
  • Automatic English-language closed captions and real-time transcript access enabled. 
  • Runtime approx. 90 min with a break in the middle.
  • Camera optional. We request that you refrain from using Zoom’s “blurred background” feature, for the safety of those with certain visually-triggered disabilities. 
  • Zoom supports screen readers and keyboard navigation, and offers a variety of display options including different text sizes. Learn more here.
  • This session may be recorded (speaker view only, not all attendees). Summaries and slides will be provided after the session to registered attendees.
  • We regret that we are not able to offer ASL interpretation for this session.
  • If you require technical assistance in-meeting, ask our team members to help in the chat!

September 14, 2025 (hybrid Festival day)

  • Livestreamed via Zoom – registration required.
  • Automatic English-language closed captions and real-time transcript access enabled.
  • ASL interpretation for the performance segment is available upon request by 12pm Pacific Time on August 29, 2025. Please make the request during registration, or email events[at]CleanAirFestival.ca 
  • Camera optional. We request that you refrain from using Zoom’s “blurred background” feature, for the safety of those with certain visually-triggered disabilities. 
  • The Festival runs from 1 pm – 7 pm Pacific (4 pm – 10 pm Eastern), with a range of programming. Attendees are welcome to come and go, and take breaks as needed.
  • Zoom supports screen readers and keyboard navigation, as well as offering a variety of display options including different text sizes. Learn more here.
  • Both online and in-person prize draws are provided, to ensure remote attendees can enter a prize draw as well. Remote prize draw participants must be residents of Canada.
  • An edited video recording of the performances will be shared after the event, which will include closed captioning. We regret that we are not able to offer ASL interpretation for the video recording this year.
  • Attendance is free or by donation. Donations directly support the Clean Air Festival and next year’s event.
  • Registration is required for all online events. In-person attendees do not need to register, but are encouraged to do so in order to receive event updates.
  • Free respirator-style masks, rapid tests, zines, and DIY fit test kits will be available on site while supplies last.
  • Remember to bring cash if you wish to shop, or to donate to the event or the prize draw.
  • DIY air purifiers built during the Festival workshop will be donated to vulnerable community members after the event, with distribution via random draw.
  • The Clean Air Festival is outdoors, so air quality should be excellent, barring any wildfire/air pollution events.
  • The site includes a mix of sun and shade from trees, shelters and canopies.
  • The park setting has a variety of pollen sources. Grass is mown low, but there are mature trees. Find a pollen report here.
  • We encourage those who are able to dress for the weather, and to bring umbrellas / sun umbrellas as needed. If you need to ensure a shady spot in advance, please note it during registration or email us at events[at]CleanAirFestival.ca.
  • In the event of extreme weather or dangerous levels of wildfire smoke, the event will be rescheduled.
  • The Clean Air Festival takes place at Slocan Park, 2750 E 29th Avenue, Vancouver near the park shelter.
  • Find your route on a map here, or check out our site maps (coming soon). Our event takes place in and around the park shelter, just off 29th Ave.
  • The site is accessible via transit (right next to the 29th Ave SkyTrain).
  • There is a ramp from the SkyTrain, and a paved path to the event. 
  • There are 2-hour free parking spots along 29th Ave, in front of the park. Unfortunately, there are no accessible parking spots nearby. 
  • There are some bicycle lock-ups at the park.  
  • A map of the Festival site layout can be found here.
  • The main event takes place on a paved surface (under and around the park shelter), with low-mown grass around it.
  • There is a paved path to the event area, forming a semi-circle around the southwest perimeter of the grassy area where organizations are tabling.
  • Please note there is a dip in the field, adjacent to the event on the southeast side.
  • Restrooms are wheelchair accessible (though doors need to be pushed open).
  • We encourage people to bring their own chairs or picnic blankets if able. A limited number of armless chairs will be available on site.
  • If you have particular seating needs, please note this during registration, or at events[at]CleanAirFestival.ca.
  • There are two indoor, all-gender restrooms. One is on the North side of the fieldhouse and one on the South side of the fieldhouse building. They are marked on the site map here.
  • Both restroom doors need to be pushed open. There are wheelchair stalls in each restroom.
  • Other than the festival, this park is typically quiet and not too busy. 
  • Musical performances will be amplified. We will have a limited supply of earplugs on site. 
  • A self-directed sensory break space will be available on the perimeter of the event.
  • The welcome table will offer optional blank name tags for those who want them, as well optional “please give me space” stickers for those who wish to visually communicate their needs or comfort level around social interaction. 
  • We will have schedules posted online and available at the welcome table to help with pacing throughout the event. The performances will be recorded for later enjoyment.
  • ASL interpretation will be available for the performances, on site and on livestream.
  • If you need seating near the ASL interpreters, please note it during registration, or ask our on-site welcome team for assistance. 
  • A limited supply of clear respirators will be available at the welcome table to facilitate lip-reading.
  • Non-latex balloons will be available at the welcome table to enjoy the musical vibrations.
  • Regrettably, we are not able to offer ASL interpretation for the post-event performance recording, or for the September 7th webinar this year. Both the recording and webinar will include captions.
  • Performers will introduce themselves with visual descriptions.
  • The Clean Air Festival welcomes service animals, and has a water fountain on site. Where possible, we encourage the use of allergy-reducing suits for service animals. 
  • If you need seating closer to the stage, please note it during registration, or ask our on-site welcome team for assistance. 
  • We remind attendees to please refrain from distracting working animals – no petting without permission!
  • The livestream will be on Zoom, which supports screen reader access. Caption and chat text can be resized. 
  • There is a water fountain, and there will be limited bottled water on site.
  • Unfortunately there are no close places to buy food; we encourage those who may need snacks or drinks to bring their own.
  • Please distance as much as possible (e.g. by moving to the perimeter or at least 12 feet from others) before unmasking to consume food or beverages. Note that the area under the park shelter is 100% mask mandatory for attendees, so please enjoy food and beverages elsewhere.
  • Please note that the Venturous Counselling station will include a therapy puppy.
  • Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the Festival, provided they are kept leashed. Please be mindful of other people’s comfort around animals, and do not bring animal companions who may be sick with an infectious illness.
  • There is a water fountain and restrooms on site, if your animal companions need water.
  • We encourage the use of allergy-reducing suits on dogs where possible.
  • We remind attendees not to distract service animals (e.g. by petting or offering food without permission).
  • A mobile support team will be available for any safety or security concerns. Members can be identified by a red cross on their masks.
  • We will have team members with first-aid training and Naloxone training on site. A Naloxone kit, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher will be available on site.
  • The Clean Air Festival hopes to create a space free of bullying and harassment. Please review our code of conduct. Should you encounter an issue, please remain calm and do not escalate the situation: distract and defuse if it feels safe to do so (e.g. by engaging with others), and seek assistance from our support team. 
  • In the event of an emergency (such as a lost child or severe weather warning), an announcement will be made over the event PA system.

Tip: Learn more about safe bystander intervention from this resource sheet from Good Night Out Vancouver.

  • Please be aware that photos and video will be taken at the in-person event. 
  • The livestreamers, videographer, and photographer can be identified by high-visibility vests. If you do not wish to appear in public images, kindly move out of the frame of the cameras, or speak to the camera persons to let them know. 
  • If you appear in photos on the CAF website or social media and wish for those images to be removed, or for image descriptions to be revised to better represent you, please reach out to webmaster[at]CleanAirFestival.ca

If you have questions, or if there are ways we can make this event more accessible or comfortable for you, please reach out at events[at]CleanAirFestival.ca or leave a note during registration.

If you require assistance during the in-person event, please approach our welcome table. For first aid or security needs, mobile support team members can be identified by red crosses on their masks.

There will be a lost-and-found station at the welcome table. For lost objects (or surprising finds) after the event, please reach out to events[at]CleanAirFestival.ca 

  • Your own N95-style mask
  • Any personal medical or disability aids you may need 
  • Cash for donating or shopping (and a reusable shopping bag)
  • Snacks, drinks, water bottles*
  • Umbrellas or sun umbrellas (remember to dress for the weather)
  • Chairs or picnic blankets if possible (a limited amount of seating is available on site)
  • DIY air cleaner supplies if you want to build your own air cleaner.

* there is a water fountain on site, but no public food service.

Note: due to prospect of rain and other factors, there have been changes to the site layout. Please ask our team if you have any questions!

The Clean Air Festival site map shows an overhead view of Slocan park, with East 29th avenue to the north, and an arrow to the skytrain to the east. Coloured labels show washrooms on either side of the park building, "workshops" and "stage" indicated under the park shelter, a welcome table and prize draw table on the path into the park area, and tables scattered across the field surrounding the park shelter, with the sensory break area far to the south away from other areas
The Festival site map shows an overhead view of Slocan Park, with East 29th Ave. to the north, and the Skytrain indicated to the east. Coloured labels show washrooms on the north and south sides of the park building near East 29th, “workshops” and “stage” indicated under the park shelter just to the south of the building, a welcome table and prize draw table on the path into the park area (west of the building), and tables scattered across the field surrounding the park shelter on the west, south, and east. The sensory break area is farther to the south, away from other areas.