ย ๐ See Saturday ๐ Contracts for new ๐ timing, ๐ฝ๏ธ lunch options and ๐ธ expenses.
Quick links: โบ Friday · ๐ณ Saturday Morning · ๐ Saturday Contracts · ๐ Saturday Night · ๐ฎ Sunday
โStars would rush into herโ
Getย readyย toย shed your work clothes and dust off your finest frontier duds, because the weekend is packed with events that celebrate the ‘Verse, from the anticipated to the truly shiny. Check your email for more details as we get close to the event.
โบ Friday — Oct 9th
The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with a relaxed gathering designed to get the crew acquainted and fueled up for the weekend. We’ll start with a Welcome Reception with a campfire and S’mores Bar and snacks.
The Hospitality House will be open at 4pm, so mosey on over once you’ve settled in. You’ll get your welcome bag. You’ll get your BCB T-shirt if you ordered one. We’ll have snacks and drinks and answer any question you may have.
๐ 
Friday also opens our T-shirt exchange.
Do you have some extra Firefly shirts you no longer need? Or really any Whedonverse or sci-fi fandom.
Rules are pretty simple: leave a shirt, take a shirt. Feel free to bring more than one.
The exchange runs through brunch on Sunday at the Hospitality House.
We’ll ease into the evening with some Firefly Bingo starting at 5pm. As the desert evening cools and the food is served, weโll gather ’round the fire pit for a Firefly Inspired Murder Mystery as we watch the sky fade to black.
This roleplaying game will unfold around the fire, challenging you to unravel secrets and use your cunning to determine who is the culprit. No prior experience is needed, only a willingness to have some shiny and slightly spooky fun. After that stick around for ghost stories under the stars!
The Hospitality House will close at midnight. You can stay up, but you can’t stay here! ๐ค
๐ณ Saturday Morning — Oct 10th
Saturday morning begins with a frontier tradition: Coffee around the campfire with a simple, frontier-style breakfast to get you ready for a full day of adventure. Kitchen opens at 7:00am. Be there near 7:00am if you are on Contracts Two or Three, because the Shuttle Buses will depart at 8:00am!
This is a laid-back time to share tales of the previous night’s mystery, or simply enjoy the majestic views of the Borderlands while you fuel up.
๐ Saturday Contracts — Oct 10th
After breakfast, the crew will be ready to embark on one of four different endeavors.
Choose the Contract that best suits your skills, energy, and willingness to get a little mud on your boots.
Be sure to read all the details!
Transports leave at 8:00am for Contracts Two and Three!
Transports leave at 9:30am for Contract One!
- ย Contract One ~ Some Backwater Moon ~ For those ready to step off the ship and onto unfamiliar but beautiful terrain, this contract is your chance to explore the stunning natural world of Zion.
- A shuttle will ferry the crew to the entrance of Zion National Park. Once inside the canyon, a free shuttle system is available to transport you between all the notable viewpoints and trailheads, allowing you to easily hike, photograph the massive red cliffs, and explore a world so breathtaking it truly feels completely different.
- This is a self-guided exploration, allowing you to choose your own trails and pace. You can also rent an e-bike. At the end of the excursion, our shuttle will transport you back to the Resort.
- Lunch will be at your expense, there is a restaurant located at Zion Lodge.
- ย Contract Two ~ Dust & Debauchery ~ This contract is for the crew member who appreciates history and a good stiff drink. A shuttle will transport you to the local ghost town of Grafton, where you can explore the preserved ruins of “Earth That Was.” Here, you’ll walk through the weathered buildings and learn the history of this small, now-forsaken pioneer town.
- Remember to wear good walking shoes and your floral bonnet and watch out for any Reavers that may be lurking around the dusty corners!
- After your brush with ghosts and the wild side of the Border, we will transport you directly to a frontier speakeasy for a private, custom-curated drink designed to relax your nerves and provide a perfect contrast to the day’s dust. Once your nerves are settled and your glass is empty, the shuttle will take you back to the Resort.
- Lunch and any additional beverages will be at your expense, there are food options available for purchase at the speakeasy.
- ย Contract Three ~ Companion’s Respite ~ Time to relax like a high-society Companion, finding serenity and solace away from the harsh realities of the ‘Verse. We’ll shuttle you to the Zion Canyon Hot Springs where you can soak in the therapeutic waters.
- The Hot Springs feature 50 geothermal and mineral-rich soaking pools, cold plunges, and saunas, making it the perfect place to wash off the dust of the ‘Verse and prepare for the evening’s Ball.
- Entry passes to the springs are the responsibility of the attendee, but you will receive exclusive access to a private cabana for mingling and lounging. A liability waiver is required to access the pools. Visit ZionCanyonHotSprings.com to purchase your entry pass for 10am Entry in advance. (Recommended – Premier 21+ Access โQuick Dipโ 3 Hour Pass ~ approx. $80/pp)
- Lunch will be at your expense, there are food options available for purchase at the Hot Springs Cafe. Once you are properly rested and refreshed, the shuttle will transport whisk you away back to the Resort.
- ย Contract Four ~ The Mellow Wash ~ For those who prefer a less strenuous day, perhaps those who need to get some repairs done on the Serenity this contract is for you.
- Stay right here at the Resort and enjoy a relaxed, “mellow” day at camp. This easy assignment involves no dangerous travel or heavy lifting. Instead, you can play games, test your knowledge with trivia, participate in a bit of crafting, and spend the day conversing with your fellow crewmates.
- To keep things interesting, we’ll also provide a light luncheon with a selection of โUtah Localโ delicacies while you learn about Utahโs haunted history, a perfect bit of frontier spookiness for the โVerse.
- There are a few dining options located at Zion Ponderosa Ranch if you prefer, those would be at your expense.
๐ Synchronize your chronometers, and check your on-site itenerary for the transport back to the Ranch. We’ll have you back in plenty of time to do your primping and prepping.
๐ Saturday Night — Oct 10th
After your long day out on the rim, take time to wash off the trail dust and pamper yourself, ensuring you’re looking “shiny” and refreshed. The main event kicks off on Saturday evening, giving every Browncoat a chance to celebrate, show off their threads, and enjoy a night worthy of any high-end Core-world destination without the Alliance pretension.
The evening begins at 5pm with a light cocktail hour, giving everyone a chance to settle in and admire the attire. It’s also a prime opportunity to capture your finest look with a themed photo op.
If you are looking for outfit inspiration, check photos from past Balls.
Dinner starts at 6pm and will be a generous buffet-style spread designed to satisfy any crew’s appetite.
We’ll feature a hearty main course, along with “some kind of hot cheese” because what’s a party without a little indulgence? Dessert, naturally, will be served, and we certainly wonโt forget the strawberries.
Following dinner, the festivities move into high gear. Get ready for called dancing, ensuring even the least experienced frontier folks can find their footing and twirl around the floor. Throughout the night, there will be plenty of time for our infamous auction and prize drawings, where you can bid on one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and everyone has a chance to walk away with a truly shiny souvenir.
After dancing and prizes are complete, festivities will continue with an after-party at the Hospitality House until the wee hours.
๐ฎ Sunday Late Morning — Oct 11th
Farewell brunch with some tasty southwestern vittles starts at 11am at the Hospitality House. Though you can stop by earlier if the doors are open to hang and reminisce about the Ball. We can all say our goodbyes to the โVerse (and all our new friends) and then break atmo’ back to our home planets, err, places.
We’ll also make last-call for the T-shirt swap. So be sure to go through what’s available before heading out.
โจ Sunday Afternoon And Beyond…
Some Browncoats are extending their stay and creating their own adventures. There are numerous activities right on the Ranch and nearby. Connect on Facebook and join the fun.