Event Venue Policies & Terms of Agreement
These policies apply to every Private Winter Wonderland Celebration. After your date is approved, you'll review and sign them electronically before payment.
Howe Ranch is a private, family-operated farm and boutique event destination offering immersive, thoughtfully curated seasonal experiences. All visits are by advance reservation only.
Private Winter Wonderland Celebrations include:
Exclusive use applies to the Grand Hall only and does not constitute exclusive use of the entire Howe Ranch property. Other areas may remain accessible to overnight guests, ranch personnel, and other authorized visitors.
Access to individual attractions, animal encounters, and shared spaces remains subject to operational requirements, staffing, weather, animal welfare, and safety considerations.
The maximum duration of a Private Winter Wonderland Celebration is determined by the reserved group size:
Private celebrations may be scheduled on available weekdays and Saturdays, with all activities concluding no later than 9:00 p.m.
The reserved celebration period includes all guest arrivals, setup of personal decorations or event materials, activities, entertainment, breakdown, cleanup, and removal of personal belongings.
Additional setup, drop off, or breakdown time is not included. Early access and extensions require prior written authorization from Howe Ranch, as well as additional rental fees, pending availability.
All guests, vendors, personal decorations, and belongings must be off the premises by the scheduled conclusion of the event.
The number of guests confirmed at the time of booking establishes the minimum contracted guest count and cannot be reduced after the reservation is completed.
Guest-count reductions, cancellations by individual attendees, or no-shows do not qualify for refunds, credits, or reductions in contracted charges.
Guest-count increases may be requested only if additional capacity is available and Howe Ranch approves the increase.
The final approved guest count must be confirmed at least 14 calendar days before the event. Once that deadline passes, no further guest-count changes are permitted unless Howe Ranch expressly authorizes an exception in writing.
The 14-day deadline also applies to finalizing seating arrangements, approved decorations, gift tables, beverage arrangements, entertainment requests, and other personalized elements of the celebration.
The contracted duration and applicable event package are determined by the confirmed reservation and any approved changes. An increase to 50 or more guests does not automatically extend the reserved event duration; any applicable change must be expressly approved by Howe Ranch.
Howe Ranch is an active working farm with live animals, natural terrain, and agricultural facilities.
Private Winter Wonderland Celebrations include food and refreshments according to the selected package and any approved additions.
Alcohol is not included in any standard Private Winter Wonderland Celebration package.
Clients and guests are not permitted to bring, serve, distribute, or consume alcoholic beverages under the standard event agreement.
Any request for alcoholic beverage service must be submitted in advance and is subject to Howe Ranch's written approval.
If authorized, alcoholic beverage service will require:
Alcohol service is strictly prohibited unless all separate requirements have been satisfied and written authorization has been issued by Howe Ranch.
Howe Ranch reserves the right to decline any request for alcohol service.
Howe Ranch provides professionally styled seasonal environments and decorative installations as part of the Winter Wonderland experience.
Clients may request permission to bring small personal decorations, event accents, signs, favors, or other personalized items.
The Client is responsible for distributing, collecting, and removing all gifts, packaging, wrapping materials, and other personal items before the celebration concludes.
Howe Ranch manages ordinary consumable waste generated through the celebration, including:
Clients are responsible for removing all additional waste and materials brought onto the property.
Clients and their guests must leave all event areas in reasonable condition, excluding ordinary food-service cleanup handled by Howe Ranch.
Our animals are cherished members of the Howe Ranch family. Their health, comfort, and safety are our highest priorities.
Improper feeding can cause serious injury, illness, choking, or death. Guests must never feed donkeys, goats, cattle, or other animals without explicit staff authorization.
Howe Ranch reserves the right to immediately end any interaction that compromises animal welfare or guest safety.
Howe Ranch is situated within a private rural community. All Clients and visitors must comply with our Zero Impact on the Neighborhood Policy.
Serious violations may result in removal from the property or termination of the celebration without refund.
The Client is responsible for ensuring that all attendees comply with Howe Ranch's guest waivers, arrival instructions, safety notices, and conduct requirements.
Howe Ranch reserves the right to deny admission or remove any person whose behavior violates these policies, creates safety concerns, endangers animals, damages property, or disrupts the celebration.
The Client assumes responsibility for damage to the venue, furniture, equipment, decorative installations, landscaping, or other property resulting from the actions of the Client, invited guests, or contracted vendors, excluding ordinary wear and tear.
Documented costs for repairs, replacement, excessive cleaning, or damage-related services may be charged to the Client.
Any independently contracted vendors or service providers must receive advance approval and comply with all applicable Howe Ranch policies.
All reservations are final and nonrefundable.
Once a Private Winter Wonderland Celebration is booked, the reserved date and time are immediately removed from availability for other guests, and Howe Ranch begins committing staffing, resources, and preparations specifically to that celebration. Because these exclusive reservations cannot reasonably be rebooked on short notice, Howe Ranch is unable to recover the financial losses associated with cancellations or changes.
Accordingly, all payments, retainers, and reservation charges are nonrefundable, including in cases of cancellation, reduced attendance, individual guest cancellations, or failure to attend.
The original guest count cannot be reduced after booking. Increases may be approved only when capacity permits and must be finalized at least 14 calendar days before the event.
To ensure fairness and consistency, these policies are applied equally to all guests, without exceptions. We appreciate your understanding that these commitments allow us to provide the thoughtfully prepared, private experiences that make Howe Ranch celebrations so special.
The Client acknowledges that participation in farm activities involves inherent risks associated with live animals, natural terrain, agricultural environments, seasonal weather, and other conditions encountered on a working farm.
The Client shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner from damages, claims, or legal actions arising from injury or damages occurring during the event, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Howe Ranch maintains $1 million in liability insurance and $1 million in personal injury insurance.
The Client is responsible for securing additional event-specific insurance where required, including appropriate insurance coverage for independently contracted vendors or services.
All attendees must comply with applicable laws, safety regulations, property rules, and guest waivers.
By completing a reservation, the Client acknowledges and agrees to the terms outlined in these Event Venue Policies.
The Client is responsible for ensuring that all invited guests, supervising adults, and approved service providers are informed of and comply with the applicable policies throughout the celebration.
Howe Ranch reserves the right to enforce these requirements in the interest of guest safety, animal welfare, property protection, and the preservation of our surrounding community.
We look forward to welcoming your group for a truly magical and unforgettable Winter Wonderland celebration!
This agreement is provided and executed electronically as part of Howe Ranch's online reservation process.
By providing an electronic signature, the Client acknowledges having read, understood, and agreed to all terms, conditions, and policies outlined herein. The electronic signature constitutes the Client's acceptance of this agreement and carries the same legal effect as a handwritten signature, as permitted by applicable law.