Submitted by Greg Hines on December 29, 2009 at 12:17 AM
New Year's Eve is nearly upon us, so we thought we'd give you one last update with everything you'll need to know about attending the NDK New Year's Eve Costume Ball...
Registration
Though pre-registration for the NYE Costume Ball is now closed, you can still register at the door for just $15. This is a cash-only event, so be sure to hit the ATM before you get in line to register. (The food and drink stations inside the dance hall will be cash-only as well, so be sure to bring enough for the whole evening. And don't forget that there's an ATM in the hotel lobby if you run out.)
The Hotel
It's not too late to book a hotel room at the Marriott for the low price of $69 for a double-occupancy room. The first 100 people to book a hotel room will be entered in a drawing to stay for free on the night of the dance.
Parking at the Marriott will be free—even overnight.
Dress Code
Because the NYE Costume Ball is a formal event, all those present will be required to be wearing either formal attire or a costume. "Formal attire" means no T-shirts, jeans, or tennis shoes (i.e. no street clothes). If you're in costume, however, the costume itself need not be formal—it is, after all, a costume ball.
Because we require that you be in formal attire or a costume, anyone that shows up in street clothes will be turned away at the door, so please dress up!
Hours of Operation
The NYE Costume Ball will officially run from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM, but our friendly neighborhood DJ—DJ Bullock—may extend the ending time if there's enough energy left in the room when 1:00 rolls around.
The registration desk—for both will-call and on-site registration—will be open from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM. Our charity booth will follow the same hours.
Our resident con photographer, Chris Gilstrap of CG Photography, will have a photo booth set up from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM. He may re-open it after midnight if there are people who want some last-minute, late-night photos.
The Trading Post (the hotel's gift shop) will be open until 11:15 PM. The Lift (the bar and restaurant in the atrium) will be open until 2:00 AM.
Wristbands
Instead of badges, we'll be issuing wristbands to all attendees. If you're 21 or older, you'll get a special wristband that lets us know you're old enough to drink. Be sure to bring your valid photo ID, though, because no one gets a 21+ wristband without showing us an ID—even if you look older than 21. Anyone under 21 (and anyone unable to produce a valid, state-issued photo ID) will get the standard wristband.
The hotel will also be providing a wristband for all those staying in hotel rooms. If you're not wearing a hotel wristband, you won't be allowed up to the hotel rooms, so be sure each person staying in your room gets one. The hotel will be giving these wristbands out at the hotel check-in desk.
Because there's a wristband for attending the NYE Costume Ball and a wristband for the hotel room, some attendees will need to wear two wristbands. Those not staying at the hotel on New Year's Eve will only need to wear the one.
Pre-Register for NDK 2010
If you haven't already pre-registered for NDK 2010, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. We'll be accepting pre-registrations for NDK 2010 in the atrium next to the NYE Costume Ball registration, so bring along some extra cash to take advantage of the pre-registration discount.
Policies
Please keep in mind that this because this is an official NDK event, all of our normal rules apply. That means we'll still be enforcing our weapons policy, our anti-harassment policy, and our costumes policy. We'll be peace-bonding all weapons, just like at the convention, so be sure to visit Ops in the atrium if you're bringing any weapon props.
Alcohol
A large number of our attendees are under the drinking age and we want this to be a fun, safe environment for people of all ages. Because we'll be serving alcohol inside the dance hall, we ask that everyone be responsible when it comes to the handling and consumption of alcohol.
We have zero tolerance for underage drinking. If we catch a minor drinking, or anyone providing a minor with a drink, we'll turn the matter over to the authorities. Anyone caught engaging in such activities will also be permanently banned from NDK and all future NDK events.
We'll also be involving the authorities in any instances of drunk driving or drunk and disorderly conduct. If you abuse alcohol at the NYE Costume Ball, your night probably isn't going to end well...
Talk Amongst Yourselves
And finally, don't forget that we've got a discussion thread going for the NYE Costume Ball (if you'd like to ask us any questions about the NYE Costume Ball, that's where to do it), as well as a thread where you can discuss your costume plans.
