House rules

By buying a pass or entering the grounds, you agree to these policies. They are short on purpose, because a policy nobody reads protects nobody.

1. Admission

• We may refuse entry to anyone, or ask anyone who breaks these policies to leave, without a refund.
• Passes may not be resold. We honour only passes bought from us or transferred by us.
• Your ribbon stays on and intact, and is not to be shared.

2. Conduct

• Courtesy to everyone: guests, hosts, merchants, and volunteers. The period is a costume, not an excuse.
• A mask isn’t consent. Ask before you touch anyone or photograph them closely, and take a no gracefully.
• Harassment, threats, and discrimination end a weekend early.
• Anyone too intoxicated to be safe will be helped out of the assembly.
• The game never crosses into the real. In-character insults, denunciations, and scandal stay inside the game, and any guest may end a scene by stepping out of it.
• To report anything, speak to any host or volunteer, or come to the blue tent beside the door.

3. Dress

Dress from 1811 to 1865 if you can, modern clothes if you would rather, and a mask either way. Nothing with rude, vulgar, political, or otherwise offensive language or imagery, and no costume that poses as police, fire, paramedics, or security.

Guests dressed in a way that spoils the evening for others will be asked to change or to leave.

4. Canes, fans, and duelling props

• Props that do nothing are welcome: canes, walking sticks, fans, parasols, and non-functional flintlock or duelling props.
• Every prop is ribboned at the Cloak Room, which means tied and sealed so it can’t be drawn or swung.
• No blades of any kind, including sword canes that draw.
• No working firearms, and no replica convincing enough to be mistaken for one across a room.
• Fencing and duelling steel belongs to hosts running demonstrations, under their own insurance, and never to guests.
• A prop used dangerously is confiscated, and its owner may be asked to leave.

5. Not permitted

• Outside food and drink, except baby food, formula, breast milk, and anything needed for medical reasons
• Alcohol, cannabis, and illegal drugs
• Glass containers, except small baby food jars
• Pets, though service animals are welcome
• Drones and remote-controlled toys
• Bicycles, skateboards, kick scooters, rollerblades, and wheeled shoes. Strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters are welcome.
• Suitcases and oversized bags
• Open flame of any kind, including candles of your own. The candlelight is ours to manage.
• Anything our team considers harmful, disruptive, or dangerous

6. Bags

We may check any person, bag, or item, at the door or on the grounds. Anything not permitted can go back to your vehicle; we don’t hold items for you, and we may deal with anything left unattended as we see fit.

7. Drink, smoking, and vaping

• Alcohol is served only to guests 19 and over wearing the ribbon, and stays in the licensed rooms.
• Smoking and vaping are permitted in the designated area only.
• Cannabis is not permitted anywhere on the grounds.

8. Weather

The Mascarade goes ahead in any weather. We may pause a programme, or close part or all of the grounds, in electrical storms, heavy rain, high winds, or other dangerous conditions.

Pauses and closures aren’t refunded. If we cancel the whole weekend, we refund the pass price.

9. Photography

The Mascarade is photographed and filmed, and we may use images of you to promote our festivals. If you would rather not appear, tell our photographer; a mask is not a release, and we don’t treat it as one.

Personal photographs are welcome. Commercial filming needs our written permission.

10. Risk

The weekend includes dancing, lawn games, demonstrations with steel in trained hands, candlelight, fire effects, loud music, and uneven ground outdoors. You attend at your own risk, and we ask you to follow the directions of hosts and staff.

11. First aid, lost things, and the Retiring Room

For first aid, or if you have lost something or someone, speak to any host or volunteer. The Retiring Room is open all weekend for anyone who needs quiet. After the weekend, write to us about anything left behind.