Welcome to the Southwest Flow Festival, where creativity and movement converge! Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the mesmerizing craft of flow arts, as enthusiasts from across the region come together to showcase their skills, share their passion, and inspire others. Immerse yourself in a dynamic blend of dance, juggling, spinning, and more, all against the stunning backdrop of the Southwest's natural beauty. Whether you're a seasoned flow artist or simply curious about this captivating world, the Southwest Flow Festival promises a weekend of exhilaration and connection.
INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
Age Requirements
Southwest Flow Festival is a family-friendly event. All ages are welcome to attend, with certain restrictions.
Participants 13 years of age and older require an Adult GA Weekend Pass to be admitted for the entirety of the event (1:00pm on Friday - 12:00pm on Monday) or a Single Day Pass to me admitted for a single day.
Participants under the age of 13 require a Child Full Weekend Pass to be admitted for the entire weekend (1:00pm on Friday - 12:00pm on Monday), or a Single Day Pass to be admitted for a single day.
** Minors must be accompanied at all times by an adult over the age of 21.**
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Gate Hours
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The gate hours are as follows:
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Friday, Sept. 22nd: 1pm - 12am
Saturday, Sept. 23rd: 8am - 12am
Sunday, Sept. 24th: 8am - 8pm
Monday, Sept. 25th: Exodus - Gates open at 8:00am
All guests are expected to leave the grounds by 2:00pm on Monday, September 25th
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Vehicles and RVs
A Vehicle Pass is required for all overnight camping vehicles under 24 feet in length, and is valid for all three (3) days of the Southwest Flow Festival.
An RV Pass is required for all overnight camping vehicles over 24 feet in length, and are valid for all three (3) days of the Southwest Flow Festival.
For the safety of SWFF participants, the moving of vehicles and RVs on the property will not be permitted between midnight (12:00am) and noon (12:00pm).
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Amenities
The Southwest Flow Festival is a self-reliant, pack in/pack out (meaning everything you bring with you, you take with you when you leave) event held at Gateway Ranch; an off-grid, 80 acre portal, located 40 minutes northeast of downtown Flagstaff, AZ. While we will provide some waste services at Gateway Ranch, we ask that all participants assist us by properly disposing of their waste, including taking as much as your own waste as possible with you when you leave.
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Note: There will not be available drinking water at Southwest Flow Festival. In the spirit of radical self-reliance, we recommend that you bring 2 gallons of drinking water per day.
The following amenities will be provided for festival participants:
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Car camping (with purchase of Vehicle Pass)
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RV camping (with purchase of RV Pass)
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Your favorite DJs, playing your favorite songs
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Comfy Chill Spots
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IV therapy treatments provided by Restored Therapies
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Performances by world-class Flow Artists
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Fire Gathering Areas (no unsanctioned fires outside of designated areas)
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On-site outhouses
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Medical Staff
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Harm Reduction staff
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A packed schedule of daily Flow workshops, touching all of the major flow modalities and catering to all skill levels
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Daily yoga classes
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Vendor village with Southwest Flow Festival merch, a wide variety of flow props, clothing, wearable art and more!
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Health & Safety
The health, safety and positive experience of our participants is our number one goal. In order to ensure that we achieve this goal, medical staff, harm reduction services and security rangers will be on site throughout this event. The SWFF harm reduction team will be working hand in hand with emergency teams and YOU, to provide education and services that promote safer partying practices, de-escalation techniques, consent culture and overall well-being.
We will be providing daily workshops on harm reduction and communal safety, to empower and encourage participants to contribute to the safety and well-being of our peers. Check the SWFF event schedule to learn more about their workshops and other opportunities to learn, grow and contribute.
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Leave No Trace
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Leave No Trace means much more than just taking your trash home with you. It means making as little impact on the landscape and wildlife as possible. While plants and wildlife should be revered and protected in ALL environments, the natural environmental conditions at Gateway Ranch create a particularly sensitive environment for life to thrive. We ask that you join us in honoring and protecting this beautiful sacred land.
The following steps will help you minimize your environmental impact during your experience at Gateway Ranch and your experience on this planet:
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Plan ahead and prepare - Bring containers for your trash, recyclables and compostable material. Opening packages before coming to the ranch and using reusable containers is super helpful with managing your MOOP (matter out of place)!
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Travel and camp on durable surfaces - Stay on designated paths and do your best to avoid stepping, driving or camping on plants and wildlife.
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Dispose of waste properly - Waste and recycling receptacles will not be provided at the Southwest Flow Festival. This is a pack in/pack out event. Make arrangements to leave with everything you bring with you.
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Leave what you find - The beautiful wildlife at Gateway Ranch is exactly where it belongs. Please leave it that way.
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No unsanctioned campfires - Leave the fire to us. There will be ample spaces provided for you to warm yourself around the fire. It’s our job to provide fire. It’s your job to spin it.
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Respect wildlife - Do not touch, get close to, feed or pick up wild animals. It is stressful to the animal, and it is possible that the animal may harbor rabies or other diseases.
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Be respectful of others - Be mindful of the ways that influencing and impacting the natural environment affects the experience of your peers.
Learn more about how to Leave No Trace.
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LOCATION, DIRECTIONS & WEATHER
LOCATION:
Gateway Ranch is located on 80 acres of rolling grasslands, 40 minutes NE of Flagstaff, between Winona & Leupp. Set under one of the darkest skies in the United States, prepare yourself for the most breathtaking views of the galaxy and stunning views of The Painted Desert that you’ve ever seen. The grounds consist of volcanic rock that's been ground down over many years. The vegetation predominantly consists of russian thistles or tumbleweeds. We ask that you stay on the designated paths exclusively to lessen the impact on the vegetation.
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Directions to Gateway Ranch:
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IMPORTANT: Searching for “Gateway Ranch” in your GPS app will NOT get you to Gateway Ranch. This venue does not exist in any GPS app. After purchasing your ticket, you will be sent detailed driving directions and GPS coordinates to navigate to Gateway Ranch.
Directions to Gateway Ranch will be provided after purchasing a ticket to Southwest Flow Festival.
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Weather:
Southwest Flow Festival is a rain or shine event, so please come prepared for all weather events, as no refunds will be issued in the event of inclement weather.
In late September, Gateway Ranch typically enjoys mild and pleasant weather as it transitions from summer to fall. Daytime temperatures usually range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-30°C), while nights can be cooler, with temperatures in the mid-40s to mid-50s Fahrenheit (7-15°C). Please make sure you bring layers, warm blankets, thick socks, boots, and hand warmers. High winds are always a factor at Gateway Ranch, so please consider bringing rebar or 12”+ lag bolts to provide extra security to your canopies and tents.
During this time, our region generally experiences drier weather with clear skies and low chances of rain, but ya know… acts of God and whatnot.
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Remember that year-to-year variations can occur, so it's advisable to consult a reliable weather forecast as your travel date approaches for the most precise information.
GATEWAY RANCH
SURVIVAL GUIDE
Southwest Flow Festival is a 3 day camping event at Gateway Ranch, an off-grid ranch in Northern Arizona. As such you will need to be fully self-sufficient and self-reliant. This includes food, water, shelter, and adequate gear for warm days and chilly nights. Here’s a list of recommended supplies to make your experience at Southwest Flow Festival 2023 comfortable, safe and enjoyable*:
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Tent or other shelter: A 3-season tent will suffice for the mild weather, but bring extra stakes and guy lines as winds can pick up unexpectedly. Due to potentially extreme wind gusts, we recommend securing all temporary structures, such as tents and pop-up canopies, with 12” lag bolts instead of tent stakes.
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Sleeping bag: A sleeping bag rated for 20-30°F should keep you warm on cooler nights.
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Sleeping pad: A sleeping pad will provide cushioning and insulation from the ground.
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Sunscreen: The sun can be intense in northern Arizona throughout the year, so bring a high SPF sunscreen.
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Hat: A wide-brimmed hat will provide additional protection from the sun.
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Sunglasses: Sunglasses will help protect your eyes from the bright sunlight and glare.
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Water: Bring at least 2 gallons of water per person per day to stay hydrated in the hot, dry climate.
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Food: Bring non-perishable food that is easy to prepare, such as trail mix, granola bars, and canned goods.
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Cooking equipment: Bring a portable stove, fuel, and cookware if you plan on cooking meals.
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First aid kit: A first aid kit is important in case of injury or illness. Include any necessary prescription medication.
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Lighting: Bring a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries for nighttime use. It’s also recommended to attach a light to your body at night, such as an LED wristband or clip on LEDs on your shoes so others can see you when you’re walking around. Seriously, it’s really really dark out here.
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Personal charging device: If you plan on charging your phone, lights, etc., bring a charging source. There will not be any outlets available for personal device charging.
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Clothing: Bring lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers your skin to protect against the sun. Also, bring warm layers for cooler nights and a big coat if you tend to get cold. A light rain jacket or poncho may also be useful.
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Personal hygiene items: Not required, but do us all a favor by bringing toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, wet wipes and hand sanitizer.
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Trash bags: Pack out all your trash and leave no trace. Bring trash bags to store and transport your garbage.
*If you’re flying in from out of town, and would prefer to rent camping supplies for the weekend, here are a few local resources for gear rental:
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Camping Crates 4U - Local pickup in Gilbert, AZ only. No shipping currently available. If you’re flying into Phoenix and driving up, this is a good option.
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Peace Outfitters - Local camping gear rental located in Flagstaff, AZ.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you don't find the answer to your question here, contact us and we will be happy to help.