So the weekend is gone and browsing thru the board even makes me a little sad, you read a lot about the few (?) bad incidents that happened, like at tiltweel or the house show, but too few words about all the rest... Also reading Tonys words at the Fest guide were a little depressing, that they seem to get some shit from some sides for the Fest, but I think its like always in life, only the one to have to complain about something speak up and the thousands that probably the best weekend of their year dont raise their voice

so wanted to use this post to say - thanks to everyone that made it happen, providing me again my best weekend of the year, making it possible to met so many new and old friends, seeing bands I never thought I be able to see and make me discovering so much new one.. dont let you drag down by some bad stuff that happened.. I really had fun and f.e. enjoyed seeing dave/dystopia at his work at the venue, whenever I saw him he had a big smile in his face, alsoI know pretty good its hard work to makes sure people donthurt themselves falling on stage

truth is - thousands of people, alot of them drinking more that tehy can take - stuff can happen.. it shouldnt happen but it does.. dont let it drag you down and remember that this is only a minority of idiots and that you made so much people the weekend of their year... I knew what to expect after the last year, but it was so funny looking into the faces of the oher germans I knew at the Fest, so often it just said "this cant be true - this is too good to be true"

to kind of pick up the words of the one ok pilot guy in the video, moslems travel to mekka, christians to the vatikan or lourdes and we have gainesville he Fest... I cant wait till Fest 9

Yeah!

(sorry, on phone, so can't write much.)

It truely was the best time I have ever had. To all that made it happen, I wish I could send you flowers, or give you a great big hug. Ive been going through some rough financial shit in life and have been really down, but after this weekend I have had this glow to me like a little kid. I got fired from my job and even dug into my savings to make it to my first Fest ever and I will do it again and again to make sure I'm there every year.

Since this is a thank you thread, I would like to thank the "crowd patrol" at the venue. You were the nicest dudes ever to help me up on the stage just so I can dive on top of a bunch of hot sweaty dudes. And seeing you guys catch the crowd surfers as well as throw others out with huge smiles on your face was one of my favorite memories. I just wanted to crowd surf right into your arms. This was so much better than Orlando shows where the bouncers will pretty much choke you out if you stage dive.

Less than a year til' Fest 9! Yes!!!

Fest AIDS is making typing too much effort right now but I would also like to thank absolutely everyone involved in putting on the weekend of the year again and everyone that made it the fun it was. I've had a pretty shitty year too and this is exactly what I needed to remind me of the good things in life. Please let there be another one next year!!

Big hugs to each and every one of you!

This was my first Fest. And as long as there are others, there is no way this will be my last. Thanks for providing a great time, everyone!

I thought about this yesterday to how it's a bummer a lot of this board seems to be talking about the negative

what it comes down to is once again it was the best weekend of the year for me and holy shit I got to see Samiam, fuck the bullshit.

besides The Fest I would like to thank Fest Aids for allowing me to sleep 16 hours straight and now being late to work with an excuse. wooooo

i give massive kudos and respect to Tony, Cam and the 2 interns they had helping them and the No Idea crew for again enabling one of the best weekeneds of my life, getting to see Gunmoll & Small Brown Bike within 24hours was a dream come true and getting to see a whole bunch of awesome bands, some new to me and some favourites was awesome, yeah there were queues and clashes, but thats mainly down to me being too ambitious with my schedule.
thanks to all the new people i met this year, thanks to all the old friends i saw, i'm sorry i didn't hang out much, and thank you to all the poeple who came and watched us, we had a blast (again)

Defantely a top 5 weekend of my entire life. My only regret is that I wasnt physically 100 % the whole weekend to enjoy it. I defiantly need to a have a pre-fest workout plan for next year so I can be up front 24/7. That and resting my muscles a month before The Fest so my shin splints dont reappear halfway through.

ridiculously good week. thanks all who made it happen!

As always, thank you, Tony, Cam, Murph, Ryan, everybody!

Everything that everyone has already said. And beyond being the best weekend ever, hope you guys know that the good times had, the camaraderie, and the amazing bands that you select to play have left a mark and influence that will echo through time in the punk scene and the world of DIY. It's way more than just a music festival for most of us. For me, The Fest is like the real new year. When I get home, after every emotion I have experienced over the weekend, I see the world a little different and feel a lot more compelled to grab life by the balls and elevate myself above all the bullshit, which is usually a tough thing to do. There's a real resolve that I feel after Festing. Okay, I'm done being ridiculously sappy.

Long live The Fest!

*slow clap*

This is EXACTLY how the Fest makes me feel. The Fest usually gives me hope and spirit, and is a reminder of how awesome life is and how its too important to waste away. Maybe this is hippie bullshit, but its how I see it.