disposable glow
In 2013 the Oregon Country Fair chose to ban disposable glow sticks. It doesn’t take a very sober hippie to think of the reasons why they made this move and it’s a good idea for Zumwalt Campground as well. When glow sticks wear down they become plastic trash and there’s nothing that can be done but put them in a landfill. We don’t need plastic parts like plastic connectors left in the park. And while it’s beautiful at the time, having the glowing contents splattered in the portapotties or on the vegetation is a bummer the next day.
There’s no rule that will get enforced on disposable glow, but this author who has burned many, MANY glow sticks doesn’t bring them to ZCG anymore. Glow technology has come a LONG way and it makes more sense to buy a cool new glow device and enjoy it year after year rather than buy a case of glow sticks and chuck them. There are many new durable lighting options lit with LED’s, EL wire, laser wire, or goodness knows what they will come up with next. These new technologies create an opportunity for you to make your own glow creation and preserve the beautiful glow aesthetic we love in the evenings.
There’s no rule that will get enforced on disposable glow, but this author who has burned many, MANY glow sticks doesn’t bring them to ZCG anymore. Glow technology has come a LONG way and it makes more sense to buy a cool new glow device and enjoy it year after year rather than buy a case of glow sticks and chuck them. There are many new durable lighting options lit with LED’s, EL wire, laser wire, or goodness knows what they will come up with next. These new technologies create an opportunity for you to make your own glow creation and preserve the beautiful glow aesthetic we love in the evenings.
lasers
Painting the tall trees at ZCG with laser light is fun and beautiful. There are camps at ZCG that have laser light shows and almost everyone seems to have a laser pointer. While laser technology has been common at ZCG for years these devices are not without risk to bystanders eyes. Currently, there is no official restrictions on lasers at ZCG, and that is probably because there have been no problems. Let’s keep it that way. Here are some guidelines:
- Keep you laser device pointed in a safe direction (sky, trees, ground, wall of your tent, etc)
- Don’t point your laser at a person, even if they ask you to do so. You’re the laser operator. Keep other campers safe.
- Use only Class 1 and 2 laser devices as hand lasers.
- If you bring a Class 3 laser (There is NO need for a laser more powerful than 0.5W at ZCG) then plan to hard mount the device. Big lasers should only be part of art installations.
strobe effects
For a small portion of the population flashing lights can induce seizures. Many of these people may not even know they have a seizure disorder. At ZCG it is common to decorate one’s camp and use lighting effects, which transform the event into a magical space. When using flickering or strobe lights be mindful of placement to allow people to be aware of them at a distance without direct viewing. This allows people who know they have photosensitive seizure disorders to avoid a triggering light source. If someone asks you to turn off your strobe light, please be sensitive to their needs. More information: http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/photosensitivity-and-seizures