WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — James City County officials say they'll be "proactively" enforcing the county's curfew ordinance during Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream weekends.
The ordinance states between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., any under 18 years old are not allowed at any public places in the county — including parks, amusement parks, vacant lots, playgrounds, wharfs and docks — without a parent, guardian or custodian present.
Exceptions for the ordinance may include emergencies, school events, or when a minor is traveling to and from a job, the county says.
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This comes after two separate incidents at Howl-O-Scream: a chaotic altercation involving minors during opening weekend and an 18-year-old who was stabbed a week later.
The curfew is not new, but county officials say they want the public to know that it will be enforced by police during Howl-O-Scream to "reiterate the responsibilities of parents/guardians to supervise minors while on the park premises."
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Busch Gardens recently implemented a chaperone policy Wednesday which includes the following rules:
- All visitors ages 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old when visiting the park
- The chaperone policy applies to visitors in the park after 4 p.m. on Howl-O-Scream event nights.
- The policy is in place for every remaining Howl-O-Scream weekend. The last weekend is November 3.
- The chaperone must accompany their party at entry, remain inside the park during their visit and be available by phone throughout their stay.
- Guests aged 15 years or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone who is not in the park and available by phone will be subject to ejection without refund.
Those above the age of 16 must provide a valid government-issued photo ID to verify their age or they may be denied entry, the park says.
