Smoking, Drugs, and Alcohol

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND FEDERAL LAWS MANDATE THAT DRUGS SUCH AS ECSTACY, COCAINE, HEROIN, AND OTHER, SIMILAR ITEMS ARE ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES.

Marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, under VERY strict rules. Please familiarize yourself with them if you intend to use this substance: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/marijuana-in-massachusetts-whats-legal

Regardless of legality, smoking of any substance (including vaping/e-cigarette products) is not permitted within the hotel; you must use designated smoking areas outside.

The Browncoat Ball (BCB) and 2020 host committee do not authorize or endorse the use of drugs while engaging in any BCB activities or in areas in use by the BCB event. We reserve the right to revoke BCB membership without refund for any reason, including the discovery of an attendee under the influence of illegal substances. Browncoat Ball staff will support all applicable local, and federal laws regarding illegal substances. The BCB will contact local law enforcement for issues of suspected drug use.

MASSACHUSETTS AND FEDERAL LAWS ALSO MANDATE THAT IT IS PROHIBITED FOR INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 TO DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. The Browncoat Ball and the 2020 host committee are not providing alcohol as part of the registration fee for the 2020 Browncoat Ball. Alcohol will be available for purchase by individuals 21 years of age and older at the Friday welcome reception, the Saturday cocktail hour, banquet and Ball from the Four Points Sheraton. Purchase and consumption of alcohol will be under the authority of that establishment with its rules, regulations, restrictions and limitations.

The Four Points Sheraton prohibits the consumption of alcohol not purchased from the hotel in the venue’s hallways and other public spaces. The hotel will not keep track of what you do in the privacy of your own hotel room.

If BCB staff finds an attendee 21 years of age or older drinking in a public area, the convention staff will ask them to take their beverage to their room. If they are not a registered guest of the hotel, BCB or hotel staff will ask they discard their beverage.

If BCB staff suspects an attendee under the age of 21 is drinking or intoxicated, a staff member will contact the proper authorities. The Browncoat Ball and 2020 host committee DO NOT authorize, endorse, or condone underage drinking under any circumstances. We will follow all local, state, and federal guidelines regarding underage drinking.

Although the Browncoat Ball does not prohibit “Room Parties”, we encourage all hosts to be responsible for their party and their guests. BCB staff will be active in ensuring that your party does not infringe on the other guests of the BCB and the guests of the hotel. We remind you that the legal drinking age is 21 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that no alcohol should be brought into the hallways or public areas of the hotel. We encourage you to enjoy your parties thoroughly, but also responsibly.

Weapons

No live firearms of any kind are permitted. Cast-resin “prop” and non-firing replica firearms are permitted. Such weapons must be inspected at Registration. Immediately after inspection, all weapons will be peace-bound by Staff into a holster or other carrying device; no slung replica firearms (i.e., long arms) of any type are permitted. Please leave Vera at home.

Bladed weapons are to be inspected at Registration. Immediately after inspection, all weapons will be peace-bound by Staff into a scabbard or other carrying device which completely encloses the cutting surface.

Please ensure your rig allows the easy, visible application of peace-ties. We will not damage your rig in order to apply them. If your rig cannot be easily and visibly peace-tied, you will be required to store the rig (including weapon[s]) in the hotel’s secure facility at your expense (if any).

Any tampering with peace-ties or drawing of weapons is expressly forbidden. Under no circumstances are weapons of any type to be carried outside the hotel’s doors, not even to the smoking area. Any questions will be resolved by the event Staff, and Staff decisions are final. Any violation of the above will result in immediate ejection from the event with no refund.

Liability

You attend the Browncoat Ball at your own will, by your own consent and at your own risk. The Browncoat Ball and the 2020 host committee take no responsibility for anything untoward which may happen during your participation in BCB activities. We make no guarantee, explicit or implicit, that the various venues, locations, tours, means of transport, activities and events of the BCB are free of potential hazards.

Refunds

The BCB committee is required to make non-refundable deposits and purchases while planning and executing the Browncoat Ball. As a result, we are unable to grant refunds for BCB registrations. You may sell your ticket to someone else; if you do, please let us know so that we can update our registration information. Refunds for hotel reservations, airline tickets, etc. are at the discretion of the issuing authorities.

And Now a Word From Our Lawyers

The Browncoat Ball (“Browncoats”) Area consists of the function rooms, Ballroom, Hospitality Suite as well as the hallways and lobby levels around them.

No alcoholic beverages are allowed in any Browncoat Ball Area, with these stated exceptions: Friday Night Reception and the Saturday Night Dinner and Ball.

Please remember that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s drinking age is 21. The Browncoats and the hotel will be enforcing this law. Anyone serving alcohol to anyone below the age of 21 will have their membership revoked, no refunds. Please note: All parties must be in designated areas. Parties in other areas will be closed down.

Smoking is not permitted on any part of hotel property; you must go to the designated outdoor smoking area.

Damage to the Hotel or a participant’s property will be the financial responsibility of the perpetrator. Parents and legal guardians will be responsible for the damage done by minors.

Nothing shall be thrown over railings or down escalators or stairs.

Badges must be worn at all times in a visible location or you will be asked to produce it. Lost badges will be replaced for a $20.00 fee. Proper photo identification must be provided.

No live firearms of any kind are permitted. Cast-resin “prop” and non-firing replica firearms are permitted. Such weapons must be inspected at Registration. Immediately after inspection, all weapons will be peace-bound by Staff into a holster or other carrying device; no slung replica firearms (i.e., long arms) of any type are permitted. Please leave Vera at home.

Bladed weapons are to be inspected at Registration. Immediately after inspection, all weapons will be peace-bound by Staff into a scabbard or other carrying device which completely encloses the cutting surface. Any tampering with peace-ties or drawing of weapons is expressly forbidden. Please ensure your rig allows the easy, visible application of peace-ties. We will not damage your rig in order to apply them. If your rig cannot be easily and visibly peace-tied, you will be required to store the rig (including weapon[s]) in the hotel’s secure facility at your expense (if any).

Weapons may only be worn Saturday evening, to and from the Dinner and/or Ball. No exceptions. Under no circumstances are weapons of any type to be carried or worn outside the hotel’s doors, not even to the designated smoking area(s).

Any questions will be resolved by the event Staff, and Staff decisions are final. Any violation of the above will result in immediate ejection from the event with no refund.

All costumes must cover and conceal any revealing body parts.

No interference with the Four Points Sheraton or Browncoat Ball Security will be permitted.

The following Browncoat Ball Children’s Policy is intended to provide for the safety and comfort of all members.

Age Range	Called	Policy
0-12	Children	Must be supervised by an adult at all times.
13-up	Teenagers	May roam the Browncoat Ball Areas and hotel at will. Presence of Adult is not required.

It is requested that all parents fill out Child Identification Cards at registration. The card is intended to help identify lost children and who their parents are. The card will have the child’s name, parents’ names and contact information, and physical description of child. The physical description will include: hair color, eye color, height, ethnicity, and other distinguishing characteristics. The cards will be kept in a secured box, available only to the Browncoat Ball Chair, Vice-Chair, Heads of Registration, and the Office. The cards will be destroyed at the end of the convention by shredding.

NOTE: No children under the age of 16 will be admitted except in the company of their parent or adult guardian. A waiver of the Browncoat Ball’s responsibility will be required of the parent or legal adult guardian. Proper ID will be required to register!

Pets are welcome at the Four Points Sheraton. There is a maximum of 2 pets per room allowed. Please alert the front desk when you check in so that you can sign a waiver. Please contact the hotel if you have further questions.

Any disruption in the Browncoat Ball Areas, as well as any violations of the Browncoat Ball rules, will result in immediate expulsion from the event. No refunds will be given.

REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING ELSE, YOU MUST COMPLY WITH ALL LAWS AND RULES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, FOUR POINTS SHERATON AND THE 2020 HOST COMMITTEE.