Western Pennsylvania Furry Weekend (WPAFW) has a set of policies to help the event run smoothly and be as fun and welcoming as possible for everyone. These rules apply to all types of attendees, including guests, volunteers, and staff. By registering for the event, attendees agree to adhere to these rules. Violation of these rules is grounds for loss of your attendance badge and suspension from the event. Egregious violations may result in permanent expulsion.
The One Rule to Rule Them All
Any action or behavior that causes significant interference with event operations, excessive discomfort to other attendees, or adversely affects WPAFW’s relationship with guests, venues, or the public is strictly forbidden and will result in any action that WPAFW deems fit.
General Rules
- Do not do anything that could make the event less fun for other attendees, the staff, non-attendees, or for yourself. If it’s dangerous, obnoxious, uncomfortable, or otherwise, do not do it. It is all of our responsibility to let everyone have a safe, respectful, and fun event.
- If it is illegal outside of the event, it is illegal at the event. We will not tolerate any violations of local, state, or federal law.
- WPAFW is a 21+ event. Minors are not permitted to attend WPAFW.
- Harassment will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to unwanted touching, intimidation, unwelcome sexual comments, sexual advances, threats, obscene gestures, wolf whistling, demeaning comments, unwelcome jokes, and hate speech. Costumes are not consent, and that includes fursuits.
- Mature content must be censored in public areas. This includes explicit artwork, excessive displays of affection, overtly sexual or provocative costumes or clothing (i.e., costumes that don’t cover all the “naughty bits” or include replicas of genitalia), and public nudity. Collars, pup hoods, harnesses worn over clothing, and non-revealing rubber are permitted. Please note that while leashes are not considered mature content, they pose a safety risk due to the nature of the event space and line of sight considerations. Please refrain from using leashes.
- Drink responsibly. In accordance with Pennsylvania state law, if you appear to be visibly intoxicated, our staff will cut you off. This decision cannot be appealed to another staff member.
- By attending the event, you understand that event staff may take photographs or video footage. You consent to be photographed or filmed by staff during the event without compensation. Your attendance constitutes a grant of rights to the event to reproduce, display, distribute, perform, create derivative works of, or otherwise use any pictures or video that we obtain in any manner in perpetuity.
- Attendees must abide by instructions given by staff, including public safety and medical personnel.
Event Space
- Do not do anything that may jeopardize our relationship with the venue. This includes damaging venue property in any way, deliberate or accidental. Defacing the property, including the application of stickers, is prohibited.
- All attendees must wear their registration badge at all times while at the event space. During the event, your registration badge remains the property of WPAFW. Attendees must present their registration badge to staff upon request.
- Selling anything of any kind at the event is prohibited unless you have received prior approval from event leadership.
- Outside alcohol is prohibited at the event space.
- Weapons are prohibited at the event space. Prop weapons must be inspected and tagged by security staff. Overly realistic prop weapons are prohibited. Prop weapons must be quickly and easily identifiable as props. Wood, plastic, or other forms of safety swords are permitted. Bows are permitted only if strung with yarn or other non-functional string. WPAFW staff have the final say on whether a prop weapon is too realistic to be permitted.
- Smoking including the use of electronic cigarettes or other vape products is only permitted in designated smoking areas. Cigarette butts must be disposed of properly and may not be left on the ground.
- Chalk art in parking areas or sidewalks is prohibited.
Hotels
- Do not do anything that may jeopardize our relationship with our partner hotels. This includes damaging hotel property in any way, deliberate or accidental. Defacing the property, including the application of stickers, is prohibited.
- If you are hosting a gathering where alcohol is being served, it is your responsibility as host to ensure that the age of anyone drinking alcohol is checked. You should also designate someone not to drink, so that there is a fully competent person present to deal with any emergencies that might arise.
- Gatherings must be kept to a reasonable volume at all times, including during daytime hours. WPAFW staff and hotel staff reserve the right to decide what constitutes a reasonable volume. First offenses will be given a warning, and second offenses will result in disbandment of the gathering. Egregious volume issues may result in being evicted from the hotel, at the discretion of hotel staff. WPAFW is obligated to respect, uphold, and enforce all decisions made by the hotels in regards to noise complaints.