🛑 Essential Rules & Access (The Important Stuff!)

To keep the good vibes rolling, here are a few quick rules of the road:

• 🔞 FurFest is strictly an 18+ event! Everyone entering must be 18 or older and possess an official FurFest badge and a valid government photo ID for age verification at the door.

• 🍺 21+ Alcohol Areas: Only attendees aged 21 and older with valid government-issued photo ID verification can access designated beer and alcohol service tents.

• 🎟️ Badge Pickup: Grab your gear Friday and Saturday at the White Tent Registration. Bring your photo ID!

• ☕ Porch Meetups are Open to All Registered Attendees! Mom & Pop’s Porch meetups are open to everyone at the convention, with no restricted panels.

• 🌳 Public Park Courtesy: Bushkill Park is a public space with families nearby. Mature visuals will be shielded since family areas are nearby.

• 📵 Off-Grid & Unplugged: We are a proud Wi-Fi-free facility! Please plan for offline presentations and enjoy the wonderful vintage atmosphere.

• 🎠 Ride & Photo Access: Want to ride the Carousel, Train, or enter Hilarity Hall for photo ops? You must have a VIP Pass or a ride ticket purchased from Mom & Pop’s Café.

• ⚔️ Peace-Bonding: Safety & Security must peace-bond all weapon props upon your arrival.

• 🚫 No Fees: Hosts may not charge admission or session fees. This event is all about giving back!

⏱️ Programming Structure & Timing Rules

• 🏛️ Pavilion 4 Slots: 30-minute sessions (:00–:30). Design ~20 minutes of content + 5–10 minutes of Q&A. We use a strict 15-minute teardown and 15-minute setup window between sessions so everyone gets their turn!

• ☕ Porch Meetups: 30-minute sessions (:30–:00). These are self-led community mixers!

• ⏰ On the Dot: Sessions start and end exactly on time. (Late starts still end on schedule!)

• 🪑 Seating: Please do not change the pavilion seating layout without prior approval.

🐾 What Is a Self-Led Event?

Self-led events are community-driven gatherings—like species meetups, creative jams, trading hours, and casual social circles—that are powered purely by the attendees who love them! While these fun sessions don’t have a formal speaker or teacher leading the room, they are an essential part of the festival's heartbeat where you can find your pack, share your art, and make new friends. Organizers or enthusiastic attendees just need to arrive 10–15 minutes early to help set a friendly, welcoming footprint, keep the session flowing nicely within its allotted half-hour, and make sure everyone feels included. (Even though they are self-led, we still ask hosts and organizers to register their meetups through our application process so they proudly appear on the official master schedule!)

🍬 Tent or Treat: Candy Passport Scavenger Hunt

• Tent or Treat (Public Evening Event): Saturday, September 25, 2027 • 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM. Open to the public for evening trick-or-treating.

• Candy Passport (All Weekend — Saturday & Sunday): Purchase your official Candy Passport at the Registration Desk for $20.00. To receive a participating vendor/stamp, spend or donate a minimum of $1.00 at that booth. You need a minimum of six stamps to complete your passport.

• Prize & Entry: Write your legal first and last name and phone number clearly on your fully stamped passport and drop it off at the Raffle Table by 3:00 PM on Sunday to be entered into the drawing for a FREE 2028 VIP Pass (valued at $120). For an estimated total investment of $26 ($20 passport + $6 across six $1 vendor spends), entrants can win a $120 VIP pass while supporting vendors and park restoration.

🌟 FULL MASTER TIMELINE — MINUTE-BY-MINUTE HIGHLIGHTS! 🌟

🛼 FRIDAY, Sept 24 — Early Arrival & Kickoff!

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: 🚚 Vendor & Exhibitor Load-In (Midway)

Welcome to the Midway, where our amazing vendors and partners set up their spooky storefronts! Get your booths ready to showcase the best monster-themed wares and musical merch before the crowds arrive. All support vehicles must clear the active pathways by 6:30 PM sharp!

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6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: 🎟️ Early Badge Pickup & Registration (White Tent)

Skip the Saturday lines and grab your official credentials at the White Tent! Get your lanyards, verify your IDs for 18+ access, and grab your Candy Passports early. Have your government ID ready and remember that digital payments are unavailable at our offline gate!

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8:00 PM – 10:00 PM: 🪩 Dance and Roller-Rink Social (Roller Rink)

Kick off the weekend in the historic Roller Rink with a high-energy, neon-lit synthwave and darkwave dance party! Lace up your skates, hit the vintage hardwood floor, and vibe to the beats as our DJs play some awesome and spooky hits. Included with your VIP and Weekend registration, (day pass guest pay $10.00 at the gate).

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10:00 PM: 🌙 Park closes for the night.

🎪 SATURDAY, Sept 25 — Main Event (Peak Day!)

Morning Magic ☀️

10:30 AM: 🚪 Early-bird gate opens! This is for Weekend and VIP Fur Fest guest.

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10:45 AM – 3:00 PM: ⛺ White Tent Registration open

Our friendly registration team at the White Tent is ready to welcome you to a monster-sized day of fun! Step right up to secure your badges, buy your Candy Passports, and get the lay of the land. Bring exact cash for day passes since our historic venue is 100% Wi-Fi free!

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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: 🎤 "The Midway Morning Mic" Spooky Decades Karaoke (Stage 1 / Main Bandstand)

Hosted by Music in the Park at Stage 1 (turn left at the Tilt-A-Whirl past the carousel), this musical showdown brings 70s, 80s, 90s, and Halloween classics to life! Grab a seat in the bleachers to cheer on the brave vocalists, or step up to the mic to belt out your favorite spooky anthem. Arrive early to snag one of the 10 exclusive competitor slots, and remember spectators need $7 exact cash if they don't have a FurFest badge!

Pavilion 4 (:00–:30 slots — private) 🤫

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: 🦇 Panel 1 — Open Slot

This slot is currently wide open and waiting for a creative host to bring their monster or music-themed panel to life! Attendees will gather in our private pavilion to learn, discuss, or create something totally unique based on your pitch. Apply now to host, keeping in mind that your presentation must run 100% offline!

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1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: 🎸 Panel 2 — Open Slot

We have an open slot here for an interactive presentation or spooky discussion! Join your fellow attendees for a 30-minute deep dive into whatever amazing fandom topic our future host brings to the table. Apply to claim this slot, ensuring any R-rated visual aids are physically shielded from the public park.

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2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: 🎃 BYOP ("Bring Your Own Pumpkin") Painting

Dive into the Halloween spirit with this self-led, hands-on crafting session in Pavilion 4! Sit down with friends to paint musical monsters and spooky faces on your pumpkins while chatting and relaxing. Bring your own small or medium pumpkin (Miss RinRin will provide the paint!), and remember to pick up your masterpiece from the Main Stage gallery by Sunday at 5:45 PM.

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4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: 🦇 Panel 3 — Open Slot

This prime afternoon slot is open and waiting for an amazing host to step up to the plate! Sit back and enjoy a brand new educational or creative session brought to you by a passionate community member. Apply today, and remember you cannot charge any admission fees for your session!

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5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: 🎸 Panel 4 — Open Slot

Our final open panel slot of the day is looking for a host with a killer idea! Finish off the afternoon by learning a new skill or joining a lively discussion in our private hub. Submit your application, and remember that loud amplified music cannot be accommodated due to park noise rules!

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6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: 🎨 Panel 5 — "Unplugged" Spooky Art Jam

Unplug and unwind at this self-led, acoustic-vibe art jam dedicated to physical media! Grab a seat, pull out your sketchbooks, and draw your spookiest, most musical fursonas alongside fellow artists. No tablets or digital devices allowed—embrace the vintage, off-grid atmosphere of the 1902 park!

Mom & Pop’s Porch (:30–:00 slots) ☕

12:30 PM: 🐾 Felines & Canines

Calling all cats, dogs, wolves, and lions to the Mom & Pop’s Porch for a self-led, classic furry mixer! Hang out, snap some group selfies, and make new friends before hitting the Midway rides. This is a public community space, so keep all interactions respectful!

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1:30 PM: 🦇 Bats, Birds & Creatures of the Night

Winged wonders and nocturnal creatures unite on the Porch to celebrate the spooky season! Mingle with owls, bats, and gargoyles in a casual, highly photogenic social gathering. Remember that Porch meetups are self-led and run strictly on the half-hour!

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2:30 PM: 🐉 Scalies, Dragons & Mythical Beasts

Bring your scales, horns, and mythical magic to this self-led porch gathering! Swap lore, show off your intricate costume details, and roar with your fellow dragons. Keep the pathways clear for passing families while you mingle outside the café!

 

4:30 PM: 🌕 Cryptids, Werewolves & Lunar Furs

Mothman, wendigos, and werewolves take over the porch for our most monster-themed meetup of the day! Howl at the afternoon moon, share your best spooky cryptid stories, and enjoy the chilling autumn vibes. This meetup is open to all attendees, so save any mature horror themes for Pavilion 4!

 

5:30 PM: 🐰 Rodents, Rabbits & Small Mammals

Squeak, hop, and scurry over to the porch for a cozy, self-led social for the smaller species! Relax in the shade, grab a snack from the café, and socialize with fellow raccoons and bunnies. Be mindful of the historic terrain around the porch when gathering in larger groups!

 

6:30 PM: 👻 Goth, Ghostly & Undead Furs

As the sun sets, our ghostly, goth, and undead friends gather on the porch to kick off the evening! Show off your darkest, most atmospheric outfits and connect with fellow spooky souls before the DJ battle begins. Please ensure all edgy or spooky props have been peace-bonded by Security!

Midday/Afternoon Midway Features 📸

2:00 PM: 🎠 Historic 1923 Carousel Photo Shoot (Saturday)

Capture the magic of the 1923 Carousel in this official, guided photo shoot perfectly fitting our musical midway theme! Suiters will pose on and around the beautifully restored antique horses while our photographers snap epic group and solo shots. You must have a VIP Pass or purchased ride ticket to enter the ride platform!

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3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: 👗 Fursuit-in-Costume Parade & Contest (Midway; lineup at Party Gate)

Strut your stuff down the historic Midway in our massive, high-energy Costume-ception parade! Wave to the crowd, show off your spooky accessories over your fursuit, and march to the beat toward Stage 1. Line up at the Party Gate early, and remember that performers cannot carry children during the parade!

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3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: 🤡 Hilarity Hall "Twilight Funhouse" Group Shoot

Gather in front of America’s Oldest Operating Funhouse (built 1918) for a mega group photo op with a creepy-carnival vibe! Strike your best monster pose against the iconic marquee while our featured photographers capture the madness. Accessing the funhouse requires a VIP Pass or ride ticket!

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6:00 PM: 🚂 Miniature Train Ride Shoot (Saturday)

All aboard the vintage miniature train for a whimsical, twilight photo session! Squeeze into the historic train cars for hilarious and atmospheric photos as the sun goes down over the park. Bring your VIP pass or ride ticket, and keep loose costume parts away from the train mechanisms!

Saturday Evening Extravaganza 🌙

6:00 PM – 7:45 PM: 🍬 Tent-or-Treat / Trunk or Treat (Public)

Hosted on the public Midway, this family-friendly trick-or-treating event brings the Halloween spirit to the local community! Hand out candy from your decorated tents or walk the path to collect sweets and admire the spooky setups. This is a highly public event, so all R-rated visuals in nearby pavilions must be strictly shielded!

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8:00 PM – 10:00 PM: 🎧 Saturday Night DJ Battle (Roller Rink)

The historic Roller Rink transforms into a neon-drenched nightclub for our ultimate "Monster Mash-Up" DJ Battle! Dance your paws off in the fog, cast your People's Choice vote, and vibe to 10-minute lightning sets of synthwave and darkwave. Enjoy the off-grid music experience, but remember to exit the park by the 10:00 PM hard close!

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9:00 PM: 💃 Saturday Night Halftime 80s Lip-Sync Showcase!

Right in the middle of the DJ Battle, the turntables pause for a hilarious 80s lip-sync showcase! Jump onto the rink floor and dramatically act out your favorite vintage anthems without the pressure of live singing. No sign-up required, just bring your energy and remember it's all about fun, not competition!

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10:00 PM: 💤 Park closes.

🥞 SUNDAY, Sept 26 — Wrap-Up Day!

Morning Vibes ☀️

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: ☕ Coffee & Christ Sunday Service (Carousel Banquet Hall / Stage 3)

Presented by Inclusive Marriage Moments (IMM) inside the Carousel Banquet Hall (Stage 3), this gentle gathering centers on loving yourself even if you feel like a "monster." Sit back, sip some coffee, and enjoy a quiet, affirming start to your Sunday before the festival gates fully open. Registration is closed during this time, so make sure you picked up your badges on Friday or Saturday!

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10:45 AM – 3:00 PM: ⛺ White Tent Registration open

The White Tent opens its doors for Sunday Day-Pass holders ready for a final day of Midway magic! Pick up your credentials, secure your Candy Passport for the afternoon deadline, and get ready to roll. All gate transactions are cash-only since the park operates strictly off the grid!
 

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: 🧟‍♂️ "Groove from the Grave" 1-on-1 Dance Battle (Roller Rink Floor)

Join us on the historic hardwood floor of the Roller Rink for an absolute powerhouse of a 1-on-1 bracket dance battle! Dancers and suiters go head-to-head to spooky tracks and high-energy 80s dance hits to win the crowd and take home the crown. Spectators can grab bleacher seating with a $7 exact cash entry (free with your FurFest badge), while competitors can sign up for $10 exact cash.

Pavilion 4 (:00–:30 slots — private) 🤫

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: 🗣️ Communication & Social Lab — Panda Playhouse 

Hosted by Panda Playhouse, this interactive lab tackles boundaries and consent in fandom spaces! Participate in hands-on role-playing and practical discussions to boost your nonverbal communication and social confidence. Have your FurFest badge ready at the pavilion door!

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3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: 🦇 Panel 2 — Open Slot

This open Sunday slot is the perfect opportunity for a creative host to share their spooky or musical passions! Engage with an attentive audience eager to learn a new skill or dive deep into fandom lore. Submit your application to claim this time, and remember you must bring your own offline backups!

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4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: 🖍️ Farewell Art Exchange — Self-led

Wrap up the weekend with a self-led trading hour dedicated to swapping physical art, stickers, and badges! Mingle with fellow creators, trade your weekend sketches, and say your goodbyes in a cozy, creative atmosphere. Label all your items with your handles, and you must clear all belongings out of the pavilion by 5:45 PM!

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Mom & Pop’s Porch (:30–:00 slots) ☕

12:00 PM: 🎖️ Service & Veteran Furry Meetup (Carousel Banquet Room)

Hosted in the private Carousel Banquet Room, this is a dedicated tribute mixer for active-duty military, reservists, and veterans. Connect with fellow service members in a quiet, accessible space away from the main festival bustle. Badge pickup must be completed before 10:00 AM since this happens right as the park opens!

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12:30 PM: 🦈 Aquatics, Reptiles & Hybrids

Otters, sharks, snakes, and chimeras splash onto the Porch for a self-led Sunday social! Swap stories of hybrid character design and snap photos with your fellow aquatic and reptilian friends. Keep topics and behavior respectful and welcoming!

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1:30 PM: 🐻 Bears, Big Cats & Wildlife

The heavy hitters of the animal kingdom gather for a roar-tastic, self-led porch meetup! Bears, pandas, tigers, and hyenas can relax in the shade, grab a burger from the café, and enjoy the afternoon. Be mindful of your tails and large suits on the historic porch steps!

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2:30 PM: 👽 Spooky Species & Cryptid Meetup

One last hurrah for the cryptids and spooky creatures to celebrate our monster theme! Show off your Halloween accessories and howl with your fellow anomalies before the festival winds down. Keep the walkway to the café clear for hungry attendees grabbing late lunches!

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3:30 PM: 🤗 Open Fursuit & Handler Social!

This final, open-invite mixer on the Porch is for every species, suiter, and hardworking handler! Give out your last hugs, take massive group photos, and celebrate an incredible weekend of memories. Hydrate well, and remember all props must have their peace-bonds intact!

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Midday/Afternoon Midway Features 📸

1:00 PM: 🎠 Historic 1923 Carousel Photo Shoot (Sunday)

A second chance to capture the vintage midway magic on the historic 1923 Carousel! Pose with your friends on the antique horses while photographers capture the vibrant energy of the festival. A VIP Pass or purchased ride ticket is required to access the carousel platform!

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2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: 🧻 Fursuit Games: "Mummy Wrap Mayhem" & Midway Relays!

Get ready for fast-paced, team-based party games on the Midway and Main Stage bleachers! Form a team, laugh until it hurts during the "Mummy Wrap Mayhem," and compete in hilarious relay races in suit. Handlers must assist their suiters for safety, and all loose costume parts should be secured!

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3:00 PM: 🚂 Miniature Train Ride Shoot (Sunday)

Catch the final photo op of the weekend aboard the vintage miniature train! Pile into the train cars for one last whimsical group shot to commemorate 125 years of Bushkill Park. VIP Pass or ride ticket required, and obey all operator instructions for ride safety!

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3:00 PM: 🚨 CANDY PASSPORT DROP DEADLINE! (Raffle Table)

This is the ultimate deadline to turn in your $20 Candy Passport scavenger hunt booklets! Rush to the Raffle Table to submit your fully stamped passport for a chance to win the Grand Prize. You must have at least 6 valid vendor/staff stamps and your legal name written clearly to qualify for the 2028 VIP Pass drawing!

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4:00 PM: 🎟️ Chinese Auction Live Drawing (Pavilion 1)

Gather in Pavilion 1 for the thrilling, live drawing of our Chinese Auction baskets supporting park restoration! Listen closely as the winning tickets are called, and cheer for the lucky winners taking home amazing loot. You do not need to be present to win, but unclaimed prizes must be picked up within 7 days!

 

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM 🏛️ Pavilion 4 Farewell Art Exchange (Pavilion 4 — 18+)

Wrap up your weekend by trading physical sketches, badge art, stickers, and small crafts with fellow community members in this self-led Pavilion 4 gathering celebrating our creative fandom. Participants browse tables to swap handmade treasures and connect with artist friends before closing out the convention. Remember to label your items with your contact handle and pick up any unclaimed leftovers by 5:45 PM.

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5:00 PM – 5:45 PM: 📦 Final pickup window for pumpkins & Pavilion 4 displays!

The festival is winding down, and it's time to gather your belongings, artwork, and painted pumpkins! Make your rounds to Pavilion 4 and the Main Stage to retrieve your displays before they are gone forever. Anything left unclaimed after 5:45 PM will be officially donated or discarded as trash!

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Evening Farewell 🌅

• 6:00 PM: ❤️ Festival concludes; park closes.

• 7:00 PM: 🚗 Hard property departure deadline. Travel safe!

🎸 MUSIC & BANDS: ROCK THE GROVE! 🎶

Hosted by Music in the Park! Specific band lineups will be revealed closer to the event! Here is when and where to catch the tunes across our three dedicated stages and six permanent DJ spots:

🗺️ Stage Locations & DJ Booths

• Stage 1 (Main Bandstand): Located by turning left at the Tilt-A-Whirl past the carousel!

• Stage 2 (Pop-up Bandstand): Located on the Midway near Hilarity Hall!

• Stage 3 (Acoustic / Carousel Banquet Hall): Located inside the historic Carousel Banquet Hall!

• Permanent DJ Booths (Spinning All Weekend!): Stationed inside Pavilion 4, Kiddie Land, the Funhouse (Hilarity Hall area), the Skating Rink (Roller Rink), Pavilion 2, and By the Porch (near Mom & Pop’s Café)!

Live Band Schedule

Stage 1 — Main Bandstand (Live Bands! 🤘)

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Stage 2 — Pop-up Bandstand (Live Bands! 🎸)

• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Stage 3 — Live Music (Single performers & duos! 🎤)

• 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

• 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

🎁 SPECIAL WEEKEND FEATURES (FUNDRAISERS & AWARDS!) 🎁

🏆 Car Show & Vendor People’s Choice Awards

Hosted by Music in the Park on Saturday at 5:00 PM on Stage 1 (Main Bandstand), this ceremony honors the best cars, vendors, and fursuit costumes of the weekend! Cheer for your favorite booths and parade participants as the People's Choice trophies are handed out. Winners do not need to be present, but must arrange to collect their physical trophies by the following week.

📸 PHOTO SHOOTS & RIDE ACCESS RULES 🎠

• Tickets Required: Official Carousel, Train, and Hilarity Hall shoots require a VIP Pass OR purchased ride tickets at Mom & Pop’s Café for ride/entry access.

• Follow the Leader: Featured photographers coordinate timed group slots. Please obey all staging and safety directions!

• Ride Safety: Suiters on rides must follow all operator instructions. NO loose costume pieces near ride mechanisms!

• Prop Approval: Operations must approve any ride-related prop for safety.

• Visual Discretion: Mature visuals will be shielded since family areas are nearby.

🛡️ SAFETY, HEADLESS LOUNGE & EMERGENCY NOTES 🛡️

• Headless Lounge (10x10 tent): Designated rest area for suiters to remove heads. Only authorized volunteers and resting suiters permitted. Strict "No Eyes" rule: no photography or video of performers without heads; do not approach resting suiters.

• Child Safety: Do NOT hand children to suiters! Plan meetups and photo ops with controlled child interactions. Family events (like Tent-or-Treat) are public.

• Medical & Emergencies: Report medical issues or safety concerns to any staff member or visit Registration immediately. For major emergencies, call 911. Lost children should be reported to Registration immediately.

• Weather: Outdoor events may move or be rescheduled if weather turns sour—check on-site boards and announcements for updates!

⚙️ LOGISTICS & BEHIND-THE-SCENES (For Hosts & Staff) ⚙️

• Check-In: Hosts must check in at the Pavilion 4 Host Table 15 minutes before their scheduled slot.

• Turnovers: We strictly enforce the 15-minute teardown and 15-minute setup windows. All sessions must end on time!

• Cleanup Deadline: Final pickup window for Pavilion 4 displays, pumpkins, and materials is Sunday 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM. Unclaimed items after 5:45 PM will be donated or discarded. Inquire at Registration for lost-and-found items.

• AV & Power: Zero Wi-Fi on site. Bring local copies of media and all adapters/dongles.

• Peace-Bonding: Safety & Security must peace-bond all weapon props upon your arrival before use in any scheduled event.

📝 FINAL NOTES!

• This master schedule is the authoritative guide for the weekend. Any updates will be communicated via official channels and posted on-site.

• PRO TIP: Save a printed or offline copy of this schedule to your phone—remember, the venue is Wi-Fi free! 📵

• Music and band lineups will be revealed soon!

 

Thank you to everyone contributing to this amazing weekend. Your participation directly supports the preservation and restoration of historic Bushkill Park & Grove. Let's make some memories! ❤️🎪✨