LOCATION & TIME

In 2025, the event and concert will take place on Saturday July 12, 2025 at Rancho San Rafael Park on the grass field near the Chinese Pagoda Picnic Pavilion.

The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. The concert starts at 8:00 p.m. and is roughly 2 hours long.

PARKING

Ample parking, including ADA parking, is available on the grounds.

A drop off and loading zone will be available in the parking lot directly outside of the event ground.
Cars may not be left unattended in the drop off/loading zone.

Make sure you have your wristband ON! Security at the gates will be checking for wristbands.

Please note, there will be security pre-check stations prior to the wristband checks—
NO GLASS & NO BEVERAGES are allowed!

ada accessibility

At The Reno Phil, we are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all attendees as is reasonably feasible in an open county park setting at Rancho San Rafael Park.

Accessible parking is available at the event (located next to the Chinese Pagoda Picnic Pavilion) for those with a handicapped placard or license plate. These spots are first-come, first-serve. Due to high demand of this event, the Reno Phil is unable to guarantee all disabled attendees access to this parking lot.

Due to uneven terrain and the lack of paved pathways, the field/pasture may not be accessible by ADA devices. We highly recommend that attendees utilizing mobility aids consider deciding whether or not it is feasible for them to move into the area of the field event being that Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is not set up to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, etc. in the field area(s).

There is an ADA viewing area strategically located to provide, as best as possible, unobstructed viewing of the event’s concert.

Sponsorship, table, and GA ticket purchasers are highly encouraged to reach out to the Reno Phil with any questions or concerns they may have around any accessibility needs or access at this event. The Reno Phil will make whatever reasonable accommodations we can to ensure your enjoyment of this event.

WRISTBANDS

In order to receive a wristband, you must register for the event prior to June 14, 2025. All sponsorship, table, and GA ticket purchasers will receive a follow-up email that will contain the link to the registration site.

Wristbands are mailed out in small packages with park information in late June, prior to the concert.

PLEASE PUT YOUR WRISTBAND ON PRIOR TO ENTERING THE VENUE. Your ticket to enter the park is your wristband.

WILL CALL

There will be no will call available at Pops on the River; all guests must have their wristbands prior to the event.

FOOD & DRINK

No outside beverages will be allowed in the park. All beverages —alcoholic, non-alcoholic, soda, juice, kombucha, iced coffee, you name it —must be purchased at the event.

The only exception? Factory-sealed water bottles/cans (yes, La Croix counts!) and empty refillable containers will be allowed in.

Refill water stations will be provided courtesy of Pure Water Systems of Nevada.

Please try to limit the size and number of your coolers so that they will fit under your table. This will allow room for the judges and fellow participants to view all the tables.

No On-Site Cooking – All food must arrive fully prepared—no grills, burners, or prep stations allowed.

Attendees may bring their own picnic dinners (outside food is allowed, but NO GLASS—including food storage containers!)

You are also allowed to have a caterer deliver food to your table. If using an outside caterer, they must not leave their vehicle unattended while delivering your order.

Vendors will be selling beverages and food items within the park. Check out the full line up here!

TABLE PACKETS

A packet will be on each table containing programs, announcements, and trash bags for disposal of trash at the end of the concert. Please do not leave anything on your table. Fill your trash bag and leave it by an exit on your way out of the venue.

DRESS

Dress as casually or as elegantly as you like. Costumes are encouraged if you are decorating a table.

NOISE

Please keep noise to a minimum during the concert, so that everyone can enjoy the music.

RAFFLE

We will have two amazing raffles at Pops!
Buy raffle tickets for an opportunity to win one of many fabulous gift baskets! All proceeds benefit the Reno Phil.

Regular tickets are $10 for 1 ticket, $20 for 3 tickets, and $100 for 20 tickets.

Scheels Wine Cooler Raffle - win a YETI Tundra filled with wine! Donated by Scheels and Wine donated by the Reno Phil Board of Trustees.

Tickets for the Scheels raffle are $20 for 1 ticket, $50 for 3 tickets, and $100 for 8 tickets.

DESIGNATED DRIVER

Pops on the River is a fun party, and we encourage everyone to enjoy themselves! We also ask that each group have a designated driver to avoid any unfortunate situations.

SHADE OPTIONS

Keep in mind—Pops happens on a summer day in July, and the sun will be shining until sunset, so plan accordingly. Personal umbrellas are welcome for shade, but no stakes, no shade tents, and absolutely nothing can be staked into the ground. All umbrellas must be taken down before the performance begins so everyone can enjoy the show!

PLEASE REMOVE ALL DECORATIONS FROM THE VENUE AND PICK UP YOUR TRASH WHEN YOU LEAVE

animal policy

For the safety and comfort of all guests, no animals are permitted at Pops on the River, with the exception of trained service animals as defined by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and will not be permitted. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

filming/photography in progress

Please be advised that the Reno Phil is photographing, filming, and/or recording at this location. By entering this location, you consent to being photographed and/or recorded and you grant the Reno Phil and its marketing agencies/partners and licensees the right to use the photographs and recordings of your image and/or voice for marketing, promotional or publication purposes. You hereby release and discharge the Reno Phil from any and all claims of copyright, libel, slander, violation of privacy or similar right you may have.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GA seating will be located behind the tables at the back of the park. Seating is first come first serve and general admission patrons need to bring their own chairs or picnic blankets.
Wristbands will be mailed to attendees the last week of June. Each attendee must register on our website prior to June 28, 2025 in order to receive wristbands (all purchasers will receive a link and code to send to their guests).
Please follow the drop off route indicated on your provided map to access the loading and unloading area; you CAN NOT park in this area–you must unload and then follow the route to the designated parking areas. We recommend limiting your items or purchasing your food and beverages from vendors inside the arena.
The music is appropriate for children, but the atmosphere tends to be more adult. Additionally, there are NO discounts for children. We recommend that children come to one of our free family concerts instead!
Yes, vendors will be selling beverages and select food items within the park.
Attendees may also bring their own picnic dinners (outside food is allowed, but NO GLASS—including food storage containers!) If you choose to use a caterer rather than bring in food please note:
Your caterer must not leave their vehicle unattended when dropping off your order to the park. There is absolutely no cooking or catering allowed in the park. Food is to be brought in prepared and if you have a caterer bringing food to the arena for your table, they can only drop it off–they are not permitted to set up a serving or prep station.

POPS FAQS