Please read this entire policy before attending the Ruthven in Wonderland Festival

Ruthven Park National Historic Site is vitally interested in the ongoing health and safety of our employees, as well as that of our clients, visitors and guests. Ruthven Park National Historic Site has adopted this policy to ensure that we minimize the threat of injuries associated with weapons or props on our premises. As such, possession of a weapon is prohibited while on Ruthven Park premises and anywhere else that Ruthven Park business, is conducted. Due to the nature of our business a series of guidelines for safe weapon and prop rules have been established.

All Ruthven in Wonderland attendees, exhibitors and staff must comply with all Federal, Provincial/State and local laws and regulations regarding weapons, imitation weapons and props, as well as their usage.

Attendees are reminded that while travelling to and from the event, to make sure due care is taken on your behalf to ensure any weapons or props, which could cause public alarm, are stored in bag or in a storage container.

Ruthven in Wonderland attendees are, under no circumstances, allowed to possess or bring to Ruthven Park grounds any actual weapons. Unlawful possession of weapons is an offence and will result in denied admission to the event or prosecution.

All weapons and props must be in plain sight at all times and are subject to mandatory inspections performed by externally hired security staff. As a general rule, no metal or wooden prop weapons are allowed. Additional rules are outlined below.

Any weapon, prop, or item not covered in this policy must be inspected by security staff at the Prop Check Desk; these items will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Live firearms including airsoft, modern, hunting or historic, either functioning or de-commissioned, are not permitted at any Ruthven Park National Historic Site event. Replica firearms made from metal, solid resin/plastic/rubber are not to be brought onto convention grounds. All other firearms/projectile weapons are required to have orange safety tips at all times on the historic grounds.

No props or weapons capable of firing any projectile or powder charge of any kind. This is for the safety of both yourself and the people around you. Nerf guns and other foam dart guns ARE allowed, but they must not have any foam darts loaded at any time.

Prop bows and slingshots are allowed, however, there must be no capacity to fire any object from the bow or slingshot. Arrows and other items used in bows or slingshots are prohibited.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site does not allow ANY laser pointers to be used on the historic grounds. If you have a laser pointer in your prop or weapon, make sure it cannot function by either removing the batteries, or simply not bringing it.

If firearm or projectile props or weapons are deemed unacceptable by Ruthven Park security, attendees will be asked to check it with security while they are on the historic grounds. Refusal to do so will result in being banned from the event without refund and local authorities being contacted.

Metal swords, metal knives and other active martial arts weapons are not allowed to be brought onto any of the historic grounds. Failure to comply will result in being banned from the event without refund and local authorities will be contacted.

If you buy a metal sword, knife or martial arts weapons at the event, this is covered below.

Blunt, heavy weapons such as baseball bats and hockey sticks are prohibited.

Shields or melee weapons (swords, staffs, lightsabers etc) made of foam or other lightweight materials are permitted. Please refrain from swinging weapons around or using them in intimidating or threatening manner. Props that are used to intentionally hit or otherwise cause harm to attendees, guests or exhibitors will be immediately confiscated and the attendee will be escorted from the premises without refund.

Costumes or props that incorporate chemical special effects are prohibited. This includes helium balloons, any type of smoke or other pyrotechnics, or costumes and/or props that expel liquids, gasses or other matter.

No items can have sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight or any other features that could be deemed dangerous to others (E.g. we do not allow metal replica samurai swords, “BB guns/air guns” even if they are not loaded). If the items are not approved during security inspection, they are forbidden on Ruthven Park grounds. Non-approved items must be securely stored in security Prop Check Desk, vehicle or home. Failure to comply will result in being escorted off the event premises and banned from the event without refund.

Props with an excessive weight are subject to approval by security at the Ruthven Park entrance or Prop Check Desks. There is no set weight limit, however, if it is deemed to be too heavy or unsafe, it will be requested that the item is checked at the weapons check desk for the duration of the event.

Please consider how heavy your props are because you’re going to either be carrying them all day, or be forced to check them in at the Prop Check Desk if they are deemed too heavy to be at the event. The prop check desk is NOT a cloak room; it is storage for items which Ruthven Park staff/security deems unsuitable to be on the historic grounds.

Attendees who purchase imitation or replica weapon such as metal movie swords or knives from the Vendors/Exhibitors must not remove items from their original packaging until they have been secured in their vehicle.

To use the purchased item as a prop or costume piece, items must be presented to security staff in their original packaging. If Ruthven Park prop check team approves the item, it may be used in accordance with our props and weapons policy guidelines and of course your best sense of judgment. Again, if the items are not approved, then they are forbidden on convention grounds out of their original packaging. Non-approved items must then be securely stored in the attendee’s vehicle or left at the Prop Check Desk until they are leaving the event. Failure to comply will result in being escorted off premises and banned from the event without refund.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site is an inclusive environment and welcomes cosplayers of all backgrounds and body types. For the avoidance of doubt, the following guidelines must be adhered to when wearing a costume to the Ruthven in Wonderland event.

The absence of clothing or a costume is not itself a costume. Nudity is not allowed at any Ruthven Park events. All costumed attendees are required to have opaque fabric of some type providing complete coverage of breasts, genitals and buttocks. Opaque bodysuits that simulate nudity are not allowed. Anyone wearing a costume that is too revealing in the sole judgment of Ruthven Park National Historic Site staff/security will be asked to leave the Event.

Costumes must not contain words or images that are racist, obscene or derogatory. This includes Ahegao, Swastikas or other Nazi imagery, KKK hoods or other paraphernalia etc.

Costumes that are in and of themselves deemed to be racist, obscene, or derogatory by the organizers will not be permitted.

Costumes or props that incorporate chemical special effects are prohibited. This includes helium balloons, any type of smoke or other pyrotechnics, or costumes that expel liquids, gasses or other matter.

Ruthven Park reserves the right to reject any costume at any time and for any reason.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site is for All! Our events provide an equal and accessible experience to all of our customers, including persons requiring accessibility services. Although we try our best, the event will be taking place on our historic grounds, some spaces do not offer direct pathways or accessibility including our historic mansion. Alternative options such as a virtual tour experience will be available. Our Coach House and Welcome Centre and washrooms are wheel chair accessible. Please contact us with any questions or comments about our accessibility prior to arrival.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site is dedicated to providing a safe place where guests can enjoy the event to its fullest.

Safety, security and an open, inclusive, respectful environment with zero tolerance for misbehaviour are fundamental to the event.

We do not tolerate violence, mistreatment, or any type of harassment towards staff, exhibitors, guests, or attendees at any of our events.

If you feel your or others' safety is in question, please report directly to security/staff on-site. If you or someone else has been involved in an incident we should be aware of, please report this to Ruthven Park National Historic Site staff/security.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site strongly believes that all attendees, exhibitors and staff should be treated with dignity and respect. Ruthven Park National Historic Site’s Zero Tolerance Policy: Acts of violence or sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Any instances of violence or sexual harassment must be reported to the Welcome Centre or staff immediately. Management will promptly respond to any incident or suggestion of violence or sexual harassment.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site does not expect employees to become experts in psychology or to physically subdue a threatening individual. Indeed, we specifically discourage attendees, exhibitors and staff from engaging in any physical confrontation with a violent or potentially violent individual. However, we do expect and encourage all attendees, exhibitors and staff to exercise reasonable judgment in identifying potentially dangerous situations.

Threats, threatening language, or any other acts of aggressions, violence or sexual harassment made toward or by any attendee/exhibitor/volunteer/staff will NOT be tolerated. For purposes of this policy, a threat includes but is not limited to any verbal or physical harassment or abuse, attempts at intimidating or instilling fear in others, menacing gestures, flashing of weapons, stalking, or any other hostile, aggressive, injurious and /or destructive actions undertaken for the purpose of domination or intimidation.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site expressly prohibits any acts or threats of violence or sexual harassment by any attendee, exhibitor, volunteer or staff against another in or around the historic grounds, facilities or elsewhere at any time. All reports of violence or sexual harassment will promptly be investigated by site security. If an investigation confirms that a threat of a violent act, or violence/sexual harassment itself has occurred, Ruthven Park National Historic Site will take swift appropriate corrective action with regard to the offending person, up to and including immediate discharge from the show and the facility.

Ruthven Park National Historic Site will not be held legally responsible or liable for any misconduct, damages, theft, loss or stolen items, injuries or death resulting from the actions of any Ruthven in Wonderland attendee. Any inappropriate behavior or misconduct by any attendee will not be tolerated by Ruthven Park or local authorities. Please use your best judgment and discretion by refraining from swinging weapons around, or using them in intimidating or threatening manner.