Rock Fest: Part Two

Aside from the shows, the next best part of Rock Fest is the people there. Whether you're spending your free time at your camp site with friends and/or family, or you're walking around people watching, there is no shortage of interaction in the days at the Fest. This was my third year going with my aunt and uncle and staying with not only them, but their friends. We had a really small group this year: only 9 people total. Even though I really like the party factor of having such a large group to camp with, it was also nice having a small group. Every year there is always at least someone new. This year it was a couple who are friends with one of the other yearly couples. Of the New Couple, the girl had previously been but I had not met her in my previous years. It was her boyfriend's first year entirely. We have a Fest Virgin every year and he was It for us in 2013. Because the group was so small, we got to chat a lot and have some good conversations. I got to know the New Couple pretty well, which I doubt would have happened in a larger group.

One of the greatest reasons why I love camping with my aunt and uncle is how attached I have grown to their group. Every single person has welcomed Man Friend and myself into their Rock Fest family without any questions. I am not just Aunt and Uncle's young niece to them and they treat me the same at 24 that they do their friends in their 40s and 50s. They all fell in love with Man Friend right away and he is only known as Big Red. It's also pretty cool hanging out with Aunt and Uncle at more than just family functions. While it's great catching up at holidays and birthday parties, there's just something extra awesome about rocking out to great music together.

For those who don't know me well, or at all, I am a huge people watcher. I am so fascinated by everyone around me at all times that I cannot help but stare. Sometime I get caught and I have to super awkwardly dart my eyes or quickly turn my head away. Maybe it's because before everything else, I am a writer. Being a writer isn't just about jotting quick words down or coming up with stories. It's not just a profession or an action; it's a feeling. It's an entire way of life. I am this to my core.

Anyway, Rock Fest is one of the greatest places to people watch because there is such a huge variety of attendees. My very favorite person to watch caught my eye at every show. A little girl around 9 or 10 went through the picture line over and over with her dad. She rocked out just as hard as people twice or three times her age without batting an eye. I was in front of her in the picture line for a show at the beginning of the weekend and I overheard her say, "Dad I wish every day was like today!" One of the days they had a little boy with them, presumably her younger brother. She carried him piggy-back through the picture line at least twice during one show. That girl was so awesome and I so badly wanted to high five her dad for being the coolest parent I've ever seen.

Every year, I see people of all ages. This year the youngest child I saw was still in diapers and the oldest was jamming out in her wheel chair. People there were of all races and from all parts of the country. Some even came across the border and joined us from Canada. People dressed up in full KISS attire, in concert tees for every band playing, bikinis and stilettos and Mardi Gras costumes. One show I stood behind a couple obviously new in their relationship or had just met. Their over-the-top amount of playful flirting and teasing eventually turned into full-fledged making out. People were poorly dancing, drunkenly stumbling or barely keeping themselves together. And let's not forget this guy:

He must have a lot of balls shoved into that tutu

In the last three years, if there's anything I've learned from attending Rock Fest, it's this: "you come for the shows, but keep coming back for the people." The four days packed full of concerts is the most fun part, but creating memories with the people you're there with make it even better. I'll leave you with a few more pictures from the weekend.

Sitting in the King Chair

Our custom-painted fire ring. Note the Big Red.