HEY NEIGHBOUR!
This portal is exclusively for Residents and Business Owners of Calgary's Downtown West Community regarding Cowboys Music Festival’s activities and our commitments to you, our neighbours!
MESSAGE BOARD
Check back here for updates from Cowboys Music Festival!
NEXT UPDATE: Tuesday January 7, 2025
December 3, 2024 - Legendary Announcements and Updates from Team Cowboys
Hey Neighbour!
We’re holding off on giving you this update until December 5th when we have a bunch of secret access codes for you! Check back on December 5th at 10amMST for your Monthly Update!
-From your friends on Team Cowboys.
COMMUNITY FAQ
WHERE IS CMF LOCATED?
CMF 2025 will take place at our new home, Cowboys Park (formerly Shaw Millennium Park), located at 1220 9th Ave SW in the Downtown West community of Calgary, Alberta.
HOW LONG WILL CMF BE SET UP IN MY COMMUNITY?
Site set-up will begin mid-June. We anticipate the site to be returned to its pre-festival state by the beginning of August. Security will be present on site 24/7 during the set up, operation, and tear-down of CMF. Exact set-up and tear-down dates will be confirmed prior to January 6th, 2025.
HOW WILL CMF AFFECT THE AREA AROUND THE EVENT SITE?
CMF will only operate inside Cowboys Park, and will not impose on or require use of existing sidewalks, bike lanes or streets. The priority of CMF during setup/construction will be to keep the site and surrounding area organized, clean, and free of garbage as to not become a nuisance or eyesore to our neighbours and surrounding environment, using third party services from Waste Management and ISCS to reduce any adverse community impact.
WILL CMF BE CLOSING THE STREETS CLOSE BY TO ALLOW FOR PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC?
All road closures are determined and facilitated by the City of Calgary.
WHAT ARE CMF’S PLANS FOR SECURITY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, SPECIFICALLY?
Public safety is a priority for CMF. We will have fully trained security team members and hired City of Calgary Police officers on site to ensure safety protocols are followed within our gates.
CMF’s BlockWatch Team will be active again this year as well. This group creates a consistent presence in the community and acts as a deterrent to potential issues, working with CMF management and relevant partners to address issues in the community surrounding Cowboys Park. The BlockWatch Team are not there to police the area. If you see or hear something concerning please call 911.
WHAT IS CMF DOING FOR SOUND MANAGEMENT?
In addition to abiding by all municipal regulations regarding sound control, CMF will adhere to our strict internal audio management policy which includes continually testing and measuring sound throughout the site during hours of operation. CMF continues to partner with highly reputable production companies that specialize in sound control, implementing the most advanced sound-control technologies available.
WHAT IS CMF DOING FOR CROWD MANAGEMENT?
The following Crowd Management measures will be taken to ensure Patron Safety:
Clearly defined ques to manage patron ingress around the perimeter of Cowboys Park
Security Personnel posted at all entrance and exit points, throughout the site, and in key locations where crowds tend to gather
Ample signage identifying all ingress and egress points throughout the site
Clear communication with patrons regarding crowd management while on site (audibly and visually)
Patron ingress/ egress review every 15 minutes to ensure approved capacity is maintained
Any case of patron eviction that is anticipated as possibly disruptive or irresolvable will be made directly from the premises and communicated to pay-duty Calgary Police Service (CPS) Officers. If pay-duty CPS assistance is required they will be notified directly by CMF.
Still have questions? Check out our General FAQ Page!
CMF OFFERS
Check back here soon for CMF offers exclusive for our Neighbours!
COMMUNITY COMMITMENTS
COMMUNITY STANDARDS
As a long-time business operator in the City of Calgary, we recognize that we have a responsibility to manage our activities in the areas where we operate and to create a positive impact on the community and our business. Cowboys and CMF have always, and will continue, to maintain positive neighbourhood relations and work closely and collaboratively with the community. In addition to the plans outlined in this proposal, CMF has committed to a 15-point plan that we will share with the public. The goals of the Community Commitment Plan will be accomplished through responsible leadership, open communication, careful planning, and meticulous follow-through, with the support of the community and contingency plans.
15-POINT COMMITMENT PLAN
Team Cowboys makes the following commitments to you, our Neighbours, and the Downtown West Community we're grateful to be a part of:
A CMF Community Forum (online) has been set up for community concerns directed to CMF. All concerns will be addressed appropriately and promptly. The CMF Community Online Forum will be open before, during, and after the event for community feedback and is accessible 24/7.
CMF has and will continue to review and update our policies and plans before the event based on the feedback received through the local authorities and comments received during the Development Permit review period.
CMF is committed to meeting its extensive Sound Dispersal, Crowd Management and Egress Plans (as listed in its operational plan). CMF will be implementing top-of-the-line sound dispersal and mitigation technology.
CMF is committed to continuing our history of working closely and diligently with relevant authorities such as the CPS, CFD, AGLC, and partners such as the Downtown West Community Association, City of Calgary Licensing and Bylaw, and Calgary Transit to create a safe experience and to lessen any adverse community impact.
The top priority of CMF during setup/construction will continue to be keeping the site and surrounding area organized, clean, safe, and free of garbage so as not to become a nuisance or eyesore to our neighbours and surrounding environment. To support this, CMF will engage third-party services from Waste Management and ISCS to reduce any adverse community impact.
CMF is committed to strictly abiding by all set permits, bylaws and regulations.
CMF and its contractors will consistently patrol the perimeter of the premises during operational hours and egress of the event.
CMF will encourage all patrons to utilize safe and available transportation to and from the Festival including public transportation, taxis and ride-share services. CMF will promote safe and available transportation options to all patrons including, but not limited to all CMF site maps, event detail emails sent to ticket holders, CMF website, and CMF social media platforms. Accessible signage will provide clear directions for exit and directed egress.
To assist in the extensive CMF egress plan, CMF will align dedicated and approved pick-up and drop-off zones for public transportation (including Taxi and Ride Share) with relevant authorities. Detailed signage will be posted to support wayfinding.
CMF is committed to providing accessible customer service and legendary experiences to people with disabilities in a manner that respects their dignity, independence, and integration, and that is equitable to the broader public. Cowboys Music Festival is for everyone!
CMF will continue to promote and host a diverse range of activities and events throughout our Festival. Over the past 28 years, CMF has partnered with local and international charities to continue to bring awareness and raise funds for charitable organizations and foundations important to our community. CMF commits to offer fundraising opportunities to non-profits and charitable organizations our neighbours aim to support.
In continued support of Calgary’s Arts, Culture and Entertainment community, CMF will engage a minimum of two local, professional artists to develop temporary art installations for the event, in addition to hosting and operating our talent competition, The Opener, to highlight Calgary’s legendary local musicians on the CMF stages. Outside of our July Festival, CMF will offer our expertise and support to the Downtown West Community Association with the ‘The Deck’ concert series in any way we can.
CMF is committed to keeping the safety of its patrons and the community its top priority. Event security will be extensive and be comprised of internal security supported with additional security provided by the Calgary Police Service (Pay Duty) and contracted security.
CMF is committed to long-term community standards success. Following the event, CMF will encourage local businesses, residential tenants, and all CMF Community Forum contributors to provide feedback through our annual survey. The policies and plans outlined in this document will be updated based on the community feedback received.
Team Cowboys is committed to being an active member of the Downtown West Community beyond our Festival dates, working towards common goals of beautification, safety and security, and championing increased programming and experiences offered in our corner of the City’s downtown. This active participation may include but is not limited to, supporting the Annual De-Clutter and Recycling Event and Downtown West Holiday Party.
CONNECT WITH US
COMMUNITY FORUM
This Community Forum has been set up for residents and business owners to communicate directly with Team Cowboys Management regarding any questions, community concerns, or feedback and ideas you may have regarding our 2025 Festival.
This Community Forum will remain open until the CMF Site has been returned to it’s pre-Festival state and is accessible 24/7. All questions, concerns and feedback will be responded to promptly.
COMMUNITY HOTLINE
CMF will have a 24-hour text-in Community Hotline facilitated through WhatsApp during our Festival.
WhatsApp is the most used messaging application in the world and features the ability to send messages between all makes and models of phones, as well as from computers and other wifi-capable devices directly to the cell phone of the CMF BlockWatch Team. It also allows for communication over both cellular and wifi. This line will be monitored during CMF hours of operation It is important to us that there is an exclusive channel of communication for all residents of the Downtown West neighbourhood for Team Cowboys and BlockWatch to respond to any questions, concerns, or feedback as promptly as possible.
If a message is received during CMF hours of operation, the CMF BlockWatch Team will respond with answers to your questions and/or work to resolve any issues in conjunction with the CMF Clean-Up Team as quickly as possible. If a message is received outside of CMF hours of operation, the CMF BlockWatch Team will respond within 24 hours. This hotline should only be used for immediate issues that require BlockWatch and Clean-Up Team support.
This hotline will become active at 4pm on Thursday July 3rd, 2025 and be deactivated at 2am on Monday July 15th, 2025. Please use the Community Forum once the hotline has been deactivated.