The event is being held at the Holiday Inn Columbus-Worthington, located on North High Street. Paper and trash bags covered the doors and windows of the hotel during the event, 10TV's Brittany Westbrook reported.

Dave Daubenmire, of Pass the Salt Ministries, was among the people trying to stop the event from happening.

"The fact that they would bring it into a public venue, not in the privacy of a hotel room but out in a conference room where the next day there could be a banquet in that room or people coming there with their children," Daubenmire said.

Winter Wickedness acknowledged those issues. In the event rules, participants were reminded to respect those who may be offended by the activities and given cleanup instructions.

Opponents of the festival notified Columbus Public Health.

"Once we reviewed the activities taking place we had some concerns and what are doing is our staff is actually on site," said Jose Rodriguez of Columbus Public Health.

The health department also sent a letter to the hotel, reminding the facility about Ohio's laws regarding body piercing and proper disposal of infectious waste, Westbrook reported.

Alliance Hotels & Resorts, which owns the Holiday Inn, decided to maintain the reservation. In a statement to 10TV, Alliance said, "The Holiday Inn brand did not endorse nor approve the reported activities associated with this group. The property has taken every measure to isolate the group to a limited area."

Opponents tried to stop the event with e-mails and phone calls, but Alliance Hotels & Resorts decided to stick to its contractual obligation, Westbrook reported.

A representative for the event spoke to 10TV by phone. She said it is a social and educational event and they brought along their own security to ensure that other guests and employees are not exposed to any of the activities. She also said they do strict checks to make sure no one is under the age of 19.

Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for more information.

©2009 by 10TV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.