The Organisers of Spiritfest do not wish to curtail your enjoyment. Please remember that these rules have been put in place for your safety, the safety of the festival site, the safety of others, and for the general enjoyment of all. Those who do not respect the rules of the festival will be asked to leave!
It is vital that those planning on attending this year’s festival understand that no one is permitted on the festival grounds prior to 4pm on the first day of the festival. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly, or take advantage of the local restaurants and shops until then.
Please note that EVERYONE attending the festival will be expected to dispose of ALL garbage in the dumpster, and ensure their space is clean when they leave. Take your recyclables home with you. Thank you for your consideration and understanding.
The Earth is our mother. Do not litter anywhere. If you see litter, pick it up. Leave your site as if you never were. Thank you!
The Nitty Gritty:
- Please respect the rules and prerequisites (if any) of the diverse offerings rituals and special presentations on site, even if you do not understand them…it is a matter of respect.
- It is not permitted to dig or create any additional fire pits or to collect ANY living vegetation for firewood.
- At least one parent or legal guardian MUST accompany any minor attending the festival.
- Parents are responsible for their children at all times. Parents who do not, in the opinion of the festival Directors, exercise good parental care of their children, will be asked to leave.
- No child under age 12 may be left unattended near ANY body of water on the site.
- No sexually aggressive or inappropriate behavior will be tolerated on the site. Robes & pagan attire do not equal consent!
- You are not permitted to wander through the site at large while skyclad.
- Except at the discretion of the Festival, no electrically amplified instruments may be used.
- Do not take photos of anyone without their prior consent.
- There shall be NO washing of any kind, including hair, bodies, clothing etc, in the river.
- Anyone creating a hazard to the site or creating a situation that could have a potentially hazardous outcome will be asked to leave
- Thou shalt endeavor to conduct thyself with self respect and respect for others at all times.
- All laws of Canada and the Province Of British Columbia apply to those visiting the festival.
- The Earth is our mother. Please do not litter anywhere on the site. If you see litter, pick it up. Thank you!
Anyone violating these rules will be expelled without refund. Thank you for being honorable!
Inclusion
Spirit Fest is an inclusive space for all. We uphold the protected Human Rights of BC. All who attend the Festival must respect this.
Discrimination relates to any of the prohibited grounds contained in the BC Human Rights Code. Prohibited conduct may be verbal, non‐verbal, physical, deliberate or unintended, unsolicited or unwelcome, as determined by a reasonable person. It may be one incident or a series of incidents depending on the context.
All who come to Spirit Fest have the right to do so without discrimination because of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, political beliefs, gender identity or expression, and Indigenous identity.
Our anti-harassment policy applies to all Spirit Fest related events and spaces, including online. We do not allow any harassment or shaming.
Anti- harassment Policy:
We will not tolerate harassment in any form.
It is every member’s right to a safe and awesome experience free from harassment, the fear of harassment, or shaming based on, but not limited to:
- Race
- Spiritual Path
- Position within or outside of hierarchical power structures
- Ethnicity
- Gender, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression
- Physical Appearance
- Body Size or Type
- Sexual Orientation or Sexuality
- Disability
- Age
Harassment can include verbal, written, or social media comments at or involving Spirit Fest that offend, intimidate, embarrass, or demean, including those that reinforce social structures of prejudice or domination regarding any items on the above list.
It can also include stalking, unwelcome attention, non-consensual physical contact, or any other physical behaviour intended or designed to disrupt another member’s enjoyment or safety.
Spirit Fest prioritizes marginalized people’s safety over privileged people’s comfort.
PROCEDURES
- We reserve the right not to act on complaints regarding:
- ‘Reverse’ -isms, such as ‘reverse racism,’ ‘reverse sexism,’ and ‘cisphobia’.
- Reasonable communication of boundaries, such as “leave me alone,” “go away,” or “I’m not discussing this with you.”
- Communicating in a ‘tone’ you do not find congenial.
- Criticizing racist, sexist, cissexist, or otherwise oppressive behavior or assumptions.
- We reserve the right to take any actions to ensure our event is welcoming for all. We take every report of harassment extremely seriously.
Alcohol, Tobacco & Drugs:
Use of alcohol & tobacco is limited to adults of legal age. All local laws regarding alcohol or tobacco consumption must be obeyed at all times. Alcohol must be used in moderation. No sale or barter of alcohol is permitted. No alcohol is allowed in the Ritual Area that is not part of the Rite.
If you smoke, be considerate of non-smokers, make sure butts are extinguished and deposited in an appropriate receptacle and not left on the ground. Chewing tobacco products must be disposed of properly, and not spit. Smoking around sacred fires is prohibited at all times.
The organisers of Spirit Fest do not condone use of other, potentially harmful, substances. However, we take into consideration of the Law of BC. Use of other substances should be in moderation, and please.. be respectful of the folk around you. The organisers remind you that you should get all your substances tested before use, and do not use alone.
Pets
Folks with dogs – it is your responsibility to keep an eye on your dog.
While it is understood that you have paid a little extra for a pet clean-up fee, please pick up any obvious piles whether they belong to your dog or not. Especially those in pathways, by tents or cabins. And extra especially any in the ritual area.
During Rituals please ensure that your dog is not loose on site.
SpiritFest BC 