Mile 8 COVID-19 Information

Based on the rise in cases and spread of the Delta variant and the new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear face coverings at indoor gatherings, Mile of Music is recommending – not requiring – that face coverings be worn at indoor venues at Mile 8.

Each independently owned venue will make its own determination on whether to require face coverings, but Mile of Music encourages attendees of the festival to have face coverings with them so they can utilize them at indoor venues at their choosing (and at outdoor venues if they choose or where social distancing cannot be maintained).

Please note that two venues do, in fact, require face coverings be worn during Mile 8 to enter. These are the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (Festival Headquarters, Music-Makers Lounge, Artist Lounge, Festival information, etc.) and the Lawrence Memorial Chapel (which hosts live sets from Thursday through Sunday). Free masks are available at each of these venues. The Chapel also requires each attending individual, couple or party to sit at least one seat apart from another party and will have a capacity limit during Mile Weekend of 550 (roughly half).

Any venue that opts to require face coverings will make that clear with notifications on or near their main entrances.

The new guidelines from the CDC (updated on 7/27/21) specify that even fully vaccinated people should wear face coverings in indoor public places in areas of the country that have substantial or high transmission of the coronavirus. Outagamie County is now in the substantial category.

Mile of Music will continue to base its recommendations on the current CDC Guidelines for COVID-19 and its variants as we approach and experience Mile 8 Weekend. We will update this page when and if there are updates from the CDC.

In keeping with coronavirus protocol over the last 17 months we ask that, if you are feeling ill or experiencing what you think could be coronavirus symptoms, please do not attend the festival this year.

Mile of Music made adjustments this past spring to the annual festival with input from public health officials and based on the evolving guidelines and recommendations from the CDC in relation to COVID-19. It is important for all prospective attendees to note that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and its variants exists at any public space or gatherings. As a free event to attend, your attendance at Mile of Music is your personal choice and responsibility and we ask that you do so with your own health circumstances in mind.

One of the most significant modifications to this year’s Mile of Music is the shift to many more of the performances being staged outside. Our larger outdoors stages allow significant space to distance while still enjoying the music. We encourage all festival-goers to pre-plan their visit to help find a series of shows or a music experience they are most comfortable with, whether it be attending strictly outdoor venues, opting to wear a face covering for indoor venues, or attending a face-covering-required venue like the Lawrence Memorial Chapel for a series of shows. The festival schedule (Web, App, printed Guide) denotes outdoor vs. indoor venues for planning purposes.

(If you are looking to get the COVID-19 Vaccine, click here to find a vaccination center near you.)

Please note that the hard-copy Mile of Music Official Festival Guide was sent for print prior to 7/27 and prior to the most recent updates on the face-covering guidelines, thus contains information about the CDC’s previous recommendations. Those previous guidelines were focused mainly on face coverings for the unvaccinated.