Event Venue Lottery
Thank you for your interest in North Bank Park Pavilion and Whetstone Park Shelterhouse. These are some of our most highly sought-after venues, and we typically have more than one interested party for a date that is more than one year out. For that reason, we have set up the lottery system.
What to Know
Submitting an Entry
- The lottery is held one year out for each date. For example, the lottery for Friday, June 4, 2027, would be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Lotteries that would fall on a day when the office is not open will be held the closest business day prior. For example, the lottery for Sunday, June 6, 2027, would be held Friday, June 5, 2026.
- Since the lottery is done in chronological order, preferred dates, times, etc. are not kept on record or taken into account.
- Entries must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the lottery drawing date.
- One person per event may enter the lottery. Please do not have friends/family/vendors fill out additional entries on your behalf. Additional entries of fraudulent nature will be discarded, and the original entry is subject to complete removal.
- If you need to make changes to your lottery entry, such as add dates or change contact phone number, do not submit a new entry. Please call 614-645-3337 or email ColumbusRecParks@columbus.gov.
- You are more than welcome to submit your name for multiple dates. If you win once and book a date then win another date later, you are welcome to move the reservation.
- As a reminder, facilities are not available on City of Columbus observed holidays or may be closed for Special Event purposes, such as the annual Race for the Cure.
Lottery Process
- An email will be sent 1 week prior to the lottery date to confirm whether you’re still interested in the following week’s lottery date. Please ensure you are replying to that email at least 48 hours prior to the lottery drawing date. If we do not receive a reply from you, your entry will not be included.
- If selected, you will receive a phone call from our office to complete the reservation process. You will have one hour from the time of our call to make the reservation with us. If we do not hear back, we will move on to the next drawn winner.
- At North Bank Park Pavilion for Friday – Sunday rentals, a non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required within 1 hour of booking, with the remaining balance due 60 days prior to the event. Weekday rentals, Tuesday – Thursday, require payment in full within 1 hour of booking.
- At Whetstone Enclosed Shelterhouse, the full payment will be due within 1 hour of booking.
- Please keep in mind that because our process is digital and people have an hour to call back and reserve, and then another hour to complete payment, it is possible to receive a call at any time during our business day.
- If not selected, you will be notified by email after the lottery is finished.