Fort Rock: What you need to know about SWFL's biggest rock fest

The biggest rock fest in Southwest Florida returns this weekend with a massive, headbanging lineup of 26 bands. That includes this year’s headliners: 80s pop-metal kings Def Leppard and grunge legends Soundgarden.

Here’s what you need to know about the fifth annual Fort Rock.

WHEN AND WHERE IS IT?

Fort Rock’s first band of the weekend, Orlando pop-punk act Felicity, gets the party started at 12:25 p.m. Saturday in the field beside JetBlue Park at 11581 Daniels Parkway, south Fort Myers. And the hard rock and heavy metal music continues — with an overnight break to sleep and recuperate — until well past 8:45 p.m. Sunday, when Soundgarden brings 90s grunge to Southwest Florida.

The 26 bands will play on two side-by-side outdoor stages from 12:25 p.m. to about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, and then from 11:45 a.m. to about 11 p.m. Sunday. Doors open at 11 a.m. both days.

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WHAT BANDS ARE PLAYING?

Who ISN’T playing Fort Rock this year? The lineup boasts a bit of everything for fans of hard rock and heavy metal.

The Saturday roster includes Def Leppard, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Alter Bridge, Seether, Three Days Grace, In This Moment, Motionless in White, Nothing More and Beartooth.

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The Sunday lineup includes Soundgarden, A Perfect Circle, The Offspring, Mastodon, Highly Suspect, The Pretty Reckless, In Flames, Eagles of Death Metal, All That Remains, Starset and I Prevail.

WHY IS IT A BIG DEAL?

Fort Rock is the biggest rock festival in Southwest Florida, sprawling across two days and attracting about 23,000 people. And it keeps growing every year.

The fest started as a one-day event in 2013 and sold out every year with about 13,000 people attending. In 2016, the fest expanded to two days and —  although it didn’t quite sell out — organizers said it came close.

Fort Rock shares many of the same bands with its sister festival, Welcome to Rockville, which happens the same weekend in Jacksonville.

ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?

Yes! It’s too late to get many of the cheaper early-bird weekend and VIP tickets — all tickets went on sale in December — but latecomer tickets can still be bought. And single-day tickets are still at their original price levels (although those go up once the first tier of tickets sells out).

Single-day general-admission passes are $70-$95. Weekend passes are $129.50 and $149.50.

VIP tickets are $165 for one day and $265-$285 for all weekend. Other ticket packages are available, including discounted weekend tickets for soldiers and other military employees.

All prices exclude applicable taxes and fees, and they’re subject to change.

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WHEN WILL THE BANDS PLAY?

Here’s the schedule for Saturday and Sunday (band times subject to change):

Saturday

12:25 p.m.: Felicity

1 p.m.: Cover Your Tracks

1:35 p.m.: Beartooth

2:10 p.m.: Motionless in White

2:45 p.m.: Nothing More

3:25 p.m.: In This Moment

4:05 p.m.: Of Mice & Men

4:45 p.m.: Alter Bridge

5:35 p.m.: Three Days Grace

6:30 p.m.: Seether

7:25 p.m.: Papa Roach

8:25 p.m.: Chevelle

9:25 p.m.: Def Leppard

Sunday

11:45 a.m.: Goodbye June

12:20 p.m.: Dinosaur Pile-Up

12:55 p.m.: I Prevail

1:30 p.m.: Starset

2:05 p.m.: All That Remains

2:40 p.m.: Eagles of Death Metal

3:20 p.m.: In Flames

4 p.m.: The Pretty Reckless

4:55 p.m.: Highly Suspect

5:40 p.m.: Mastodon

6:35 p.m.: The Offspring

7:40 p.m.: A Perfect Circle

8:45 p.m.: Soundgarden

WHAT CAN YOU BRING AND WHAT ISN’T ALLOWED?

These are the items that you CAN’T bring into Fort Rock: Coolers, picnic baskets, outside food and drinks, glass containers, video cameras, audio recording devices, laptop and tablet computers, professional cameras or cameras with removable lenses, selfie sticks, laser pointers, drones, chairs, umbrellas, bags (including backpacks, duffle bags and most drawstring bags), pets, balloons or beach balls.

However, you CAN bring these: One factory-sealed bottle of water (maximum of 20 ounces), cellphones, sunscreen (non-aerosol), binoculars, small point-and-shoot cameras, hats, sunglasses, earplugs, light blankets and towels, small purses (although Fort Rock strongly encourages people to not bring bags of any kind), one small or medium-sized clear plastic bag, one clear one-gallon zip-top bag (maximum allowed is freezer-bag size) and one clear or mesh drawstring bag.

For a complete list of items that are banned or allowed, visit fortrockfestival.com/info.

You can also rent a locker all weekend to stow your belongings and charge your phone. Each locker is equipped with a universal cellphone charger. Locker rentals are $35 and can be reserved online at mobilecharginglockers.com/product/fort-rock.

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WILL FOOD AND DRINKS BE SOLD?

Yes. Local food trucks, caterers, restaurants, and vendors will be on-site with food and drinks (including soda, water, beer, wine and liquor).

WHAT ABOUT PARKING?

Parking is in the fields adjacent to JetBlue Park. No overnight parking is allowed.

Kirstyn Schwartz, director of marketing for Fort Rock, didn't respond to multiple requests for more information about parking and how much it costs. But in 2016, parking was $20 per vehicle.

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WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?

For more information, visit FortRockFestival.com, facebook.com/fortrockfestival, twitter.com/fortrockfest or instagram.com/fortrockfest.

Connect with this reporter:Charles Runnells (News-Press) (Facebook),@charlesrunnells (Twitter),@crunnells1 (Instagram)