You can download this set of polices here – Festival Policies
Definitions
1) Terms:
- “Venue” refers to the University of Lethbridge (U of L);
- Both “Event” and “Nishikaze” refer to the Nishikaze festival;
- “Marketplace” refers to the designated location for merchandise sales. This location incorporates the Artist Alley and Vendor Hall. Some events may call this room the Merchant Hall, the Exhibitors Hall, or the Dealers’ Room;
- “Pass” refers to the proof of admission used by the Event. This may be a wristband and/or badge.
Code of Conduct
2) All patrons must abide by all Venue procedures, policies, and bylaws, as well as all local, provincial, and federal laws and bylaws.
3) All policies contained herein are subject to all local, provincial, and federal laws. Any policy contrary to those laws will be declared null and void.
4) The following are not permitted at Nishikaze, its surrounding perimeters, including the parking lots and structures:
- Possessing any alcoholic beverages;
- Possessing any illegal substance;
- Physically or verbally threatening, harassing, stalking, use of physical force;
- Any boisterous, lewd, sexually explicit, offensive behaviour or language, excessive profanity, including racial, religious or ethnic slurs;
- Assembling for the purpose of disturbing the public peace, committing any unlawful act or engaging in any offensive behaviour;
- Possession of any item that can be used as a weapon, including but not limited to: firearms, explosives, clubs, knives, whips or any other object(s) that may place others in immediate apprehension of danger;
- No smoking, other than in designated areas;
- Climbing on, defacing, or damaging any Venue or Event property.
Passes and Admission
5) Passes must be worn and be visible at all times. Individuals without a Pass will not be granted full access to the Event.
6) Pass restrictions are as follows:
- Regular/Panellist Pass: Access to all panels, viewing rooms, main events, and the Marketplace for whatever days and times the pass is valid;
- Marketplace Pass: Provides proof of registration of participation in the Marketplace whether they are an Artist or Vendor. Provides access to the Marketplace during setup and takedown hours;
- Press/Media Pass: Access varies on a case by case basis.
7) Any patron who has their Pass revoked will not receive reimbursement or refund of any part of their admission.
8) Torn / damaged Passes will be replaced upon return of damaged pass.
9) A fee will be charged for replacing a lost Pass.
10) Please return any Passes found to Event staff immediately.
Attire and Costumes
11) All patrons are required to dress appropriately, in accordance with public decency laws, while attending the Event.
12) All patrons are required to wear footwear. Socks or bare feet are not acceptable.
13) Roller blades, skateboards, scooters, and similar devices cannot be used at the Venue.
14) The Event reserves the right to deem any attire or costume unacceptable and request the wearer to either change or make modifications as necessary.
15) Patrons should be aware that they may be asked to remove all or part of any costume that is bulky, difficult to manoeuvre, or otherwise presents a possible safety issue for the wearer or other patrons.
16) The following additional restrictions have been imposed by the hosting site:
- No Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU) are allowed on site. Dark blue or black S.W.A.T. style outfits are not permitted, without exception;
- Balaclava style masks are not permitted, unless readily identifiable as part of a costume. Due to additional restrictions on the part of the venues, all other face-covering masks will need to be approved on a case by case basis.
Merchandise and Theft
17) All merchandise from the Event itself, or the Marketplace, must be paid for.
18) Any patron caught shoplifting or stealing will be handed over to the proper authorities, have their Pass revoked, and refused service into all future Nishikaze events. There will be no exceptions.
Photography and Video Recording
19) Please be advised that you may be video recorded and/or photographed by the Event for promotional purposes.
20) Photography of original artwork in the Marketplace is not allowed without permission of the artist.
21) Photography may be restricted to specific events. Patrons will be informed in any event which photography or video recording is prohibited.
22) Photography of all other aspects of the Event is allowed as long as it does not disrupt events, the flow of traffic, and the subject does not object to the photo.
23) Please be considerate and ask first before taking pictures of guests, other patrons, or the general public.
24) Photography with props is acceptable. However, no patrons in the immediate area must feel threatened.
Signage
25) Wearing any signs that offer products or services, for solicitation, financial gain, physical act, or otherwise, is prohibited at the Event.
26) Signs with inappropriate content will be removed without warning, and may result in the patrons’ expulsion from the event.
27) Signs or displays that offer, or can be interpreted as offering goods and/or services in exchange for money, goods, and/or services in kind that are either:
- Outside the Marketplace;
- Not approved by the Event Staff;
- Not owned by businesses located in the Venue, or;
- Violates any terms or conditions of any agreements the Event has with the Venue, are banned.
Props and Replica Policy
28) In the event of a conflict between Nishikaze’s Prop and Replica policy, and the policy of the hosting venue, the more restrictive of the two shall apply.
29) All props and replicas are required to be peace-bonded at the designated replica and prop check area. This bonding must be kept clearly visible at all times.
30) No prop or replica shall be constructed of a material that a reasonable person would consider capable of inflicting harm. This may include, but is not limited to, the following materials:
- Softwood or hardwood
- Dense plastic
- Metal, including heavy-duty/industrial chain
- Ceramic or porcelain
- Glass, unless it is a common item that is unlikely to break.
31) No prop or replica shall have sharp edges, points, or corners.
32) No prop or replica that can be considered to be blocking or impeding the flow of traffic at the event is permitted.
33) Any chains, whips, and similar props, whether by themselves or as part of a larger prop, must be secured from swinging on both ends.
34) No prop or replica may be brandished in a threatening manner, except in designated areas.
35) No prop or replica weapon capable of launching a projectile may be loaded or strung at any time, except in designated areas.
36) As per Venue policy, all Nerf and Nerf-type toys are not permitted at the Venue under any circumstance.
37) No prop or replica may be thrown at any time.
38) All gun-like replicas and props must have the muzzle area painted neon orange and the barrel blocked
39) No props will be allowed into the Concerts or Dance, and other events as specified by Nishikaze.
40) At the discretion of designated event staff, certain props or replicas may be deemed unacceptable regardless of compliance with this policy.
41) Any props or replicas considered in violation of this policy must be removed from event grounds or, if available at the event, checked in to storage. Nishikaze holds no liability for any items left at event storage.
42) Additional restrictions or exceptions to the policy may apply, and will be available through the official event website and/or publications of the event itself.
Wildlife & Animals
43) Only registered service animals are allowed at the Venue.
44) The Venue is surrounded by natural areas that abound in wildlife including deer, porcupine, and ground squirrels. If you encounter wildlife, do not engage, yell, chase or otherwise harass the animal; it can respond aggressively. Nishikaze is not liable for any injuries or property damage that results from patrons in engaging wildlife at the Venue.
45) Any patron found in violation of the above wildlife policy, will have their pass confiscated and removed from the Event.
Policy Violation
46) The Event reserves the right to enforce disciplinary action against any patron who violates these policies. Such disciplinary action can include, but are not limited to:
- Asking a patron to leave a particular activity or event;
- Revoking the patron’s Pass without refund;
- Banning the patron from future Nishikaze events.
47) Any action prohibited by law will result in notification of the proper authorities and could result in criminal prosecution.
48) Any attempt to induce a duly contracted party to Nishikaze to violate the terms of their contract will result in disciplinary action as outlined in this document.