A Punk Rock Walk In The Park
Soaking Up Orange County’s 3rd Annual Music/Beer/Skate Fest
This article offers an inside perspective of a unique event oozing with fun. I’ll do my best to describe what it’s like to be there while adding a few tips learned from attending two consecutive years.
Picture this serene scene:
You’re among friends and thousands of strangers in a spacious green park flanked by foothills and a lake. One hand is holding an unlimited free sample of your new favorite beer, discovered just that day. In the other is a smoldering spliff twisted with three strains of the finest dank.
Behind you, playing live on stage, is one of your all-time favorite punk bands (Deviates). And in front of you, on a huge Vans-sponsored half pipe, legendary and new-gen pro skaters and bikers fly high until they inevitably fall and give someone else a chance to showcase their skills.
Sounds amazing, right? Maybe even too good to be true. But it’s not a fantasy… that was the exact scenario I found myself in during the 2023 Punk In The Park festival.
Contemplating coming out next time? Here’s what you might expect…
The Tunes
With 30+ bands playing over two days, this year’s lineup was even bigger than last. Boasting three stages and a nearly non-stop barrage of punk music, there’s something for fans of all ages. I mean that in the literal sense because Punk In The Park is an all-ages event. Yes, punk rock babies do exist! I saw more than a few.
Of course, more adults than little ones are in attendance, but don’t be surprised to see kids riding on brave parental shoulders adjacent to a circle pit. But if you’re worried about your little one getting trampled, fear not. It’s all too easy to find a grassy area to spread out a blanket and still hear the music. The tunes are loud, and the park is huge.
One thing’s for certain, the music is always right on schedule. Bands flow across different stages like hot butter from noon to 10 at night on Saturday and Sunday. When the list says the main stage features Drain at 4:00 and Suicide Machines at 5:00, that’s exactly when you can expect those bands to play.
Non-headliner sets last about 30 minutes, with 30 minutes for the next group’s setup. And out of respect for who’s playing next, nobody goes long. Two years in a row now, the timing — helped by giant digital clocks on every stage — is tighter than a gnat’s booty.
And when one band finishes, another band is getting started on a different stage just a short walk away. Whether you’re into hardcore or ska or a sub-genre in between, you’re sure to find fast, loud, potentially (often intentionally) offensive music to stimulate both ear holes and caress your lizard brain.
But hearing bands rock their hardest isn’t the only pleasant sensation …
The Vert
New to this year’s festival was an impressive ensemble of skate and bike tricksters landing aerials and varials.
Christian Hosoi and Steve Caballero are true OGs in the realm of pro skateboarding. Both were there and could hang with the best of them after all these decades of riding. I won’t pretend that the amplitude matched the human bag of tricks, Andy MacDonald, but their style and finesse make them highly entertaining to watch.
If you’re as old as I am, you might remember playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater on PlayStation 1. You may even recall Bucky Lasek as a playable character. Yeah, he was skating there, too! Bucky was trying his hardest to land a new trick. Even after the night session ended, he was still out there trying again and again.
Each demo lasted 30 minutes, and with so many skaters and bikers itching to take their turn, there was never a break in the action. The Vans event crew pulled out the stops to make their Punk In The Park debut memorable.
Flying tricksters slathered another fun layer on top of an already exhilarating event.
While the athletes were putting on a show, plenty of swag was raining down from the top of the ramp. Vans Shirts, towels, and bags were all free for whoever was lucky enough to grab one.
Steve Van Doren, son of one of the company’s co-founders, was there to enjoy the action. I didn’t get an opportunity to interact with him but he was sporting a huge smile every time I glanced in his direction. He also came down to the front row of spectators during one of the demos and handed out skate decks to a few kids enjoying the action.
Steve was also lucky enough to introduce Pennywise for their 8:45–10:00 set, referring to them as his favorite band ever.
I really, really, really hope the vert ramp becomes a mainstay of the festival because big-air most definitely upgraded the overall entertainment value.
The Brew
Free beer is on tap starting at noon for those willing to make it a long day by arriving early. But it’s not just beer — you’ll also find spiked kombucha and hard cider samples. It’s all you can drink, 3 ounces at a time.
This year’s beer garden was on the opposite side of the park as last year. Good move by the organizers since a hillside throwing lots of shade is right next to all the tap huts. Grab a beverage then get 10 degrees cooler by the trees.
Just don’t come running up to a cooler with an empty cup at 3:01. Sorry, but nobody’s serving El Baracho after three o’clock. Go slam a cup of water after all those suds.
The Imbeciles
There are plenty of good things to say about Punk In The Park, but that doesn't mean it’s free of negativity.
Every time such a large group assembles, no matter the occasion, morons can’t help but reveal themselves. Like the dipstick who took it upon himself to snatch a cooler from the water station and pour it on unsuspecting moshers during the Pennywise set. On a frigid night, no less.
But even worse are the dumbass racists. We see you there with that spider web tattoo on your elbow, you miserable turd-burglar. What is it about punk rock music that draws out the bigots? Everyone with any semblance of responsibility knows that life is far from easy. Who needs unwarranted flak from a pathetic coward, let alone a wannabe nazi assclown?
“You hate yourself
and blame
everyone else.”
From Send In The Clowns by 98 Mute
The essence of punk is being yourself and not giving two shits about what anyone thinks. That includes everyone, regardless of skin tone. And, as someone who’s often judged by appearance alone, you ought to know better.
A couple of lines from the excellent song, Book And Its Cover by Ill Repute can help illustrate the point:
The way I look don’t mean shit.
It’s what’s inside that counts.
I try to be nice, I’m always polite.
But still you, go and have your doubts.
How can you hate on people for something they have no control over whatsoever? Oh, I wasn’t BORN the same color as you. My bad! I’ll try harder in the next life.
The good news is that the “regular” punks far outnumber the dungmunchers who mistakenly think unearned genetics make them special. So don’t let a few outliers ruin your day because they won’t.
If you’re racist and reading this — doubtful since you’re most likely illiterate — go ahead and choke yourself on an oversize bag busting at the seams with greasy shlongs.
OK, enough about the chickenhearts. Let’s discuss how to prepare yourself for the most fun possible at the next event.
The Points
If you plan to rock from open to close — 10 hours total — you’ll want to come prepared. Even if you make it a half-day, you should know a few things.
Bring Layers
The days are typically warm but it gets really cold out there in the foothills once the sun sets. Lockers are available to rent if you’d rather not lug it all around. Doesn’t take much to get me cold so I wore jeans and a T-shirt inside and brought a flannel and beanie for the night jams.
Try to stay warm at night.
Don’t be like the guy flopping around in shorts, T-shirt, and sandals, freezing his ass off once the temp dropped. Hands in the pockets won’t cut it here. Dude, next time head into the thickest crowd you see and bask in its warmth.
Pace Yourself
I can tell you from experience that tiny 3-oz cups will make you feel like you have anti-drunk superpowers. Overconfidence and drinking too fast — especially when you throw herbs into the mix — will make your world spin and might make you puke.
Try not to get too wasted.
Don’t be like the dozen or so regretful imbibers lying in a horizontal position outside the beer garden at 3:10. Passed out flat in the grass is not a fun way to enjoy the music you paid good money to hear.
Drink Water
Huge props to the organizers for providing free water this year! I think it’s cruel but certainly not unusual when concerts ban outside drinks and then force us to buy water at inflated prices. Some of us are out here for over 10 hours! One or two dollars is fine for your trouble but $4 or $5? C’mon!
Try to stay hydrated.
I used the Beer Fest’s sample cup and took free 3-oz hits of water all day and night. The cheapest water I could find for sale was $3 for 12 oz. That means I saved $3 with every four drinks from the water station. Trust me, dehydration will ruin your party.
Vendor Pricing Differs
A chicken rice bowl at one spot may set you back $17, but the Jamaican joint a few spaces down the wheeled foot court serves jerk chicken and rice for under $10.
Try not to get too hangry.
A food truck may sell water for $4, but the ice cream cart across the way has the same liquid for $3. Point is, the food selection is big enough to find something you like but not huge so that it’s hard to shop around.
The End
Depending on the outfit, you probably can’t tell I love punk rock just by looking at me. And during last year’s event, I was mesmerized by the hair, tats, and vests swarming the grass. A great gathering of those who share similar tastes in music.
From an outsider’s POV, the festival is full of rejects and weirdos who don’t fit anywhere society has determined they may belong. But here at the fest, we’re all in this together. Well, except for a few dirtball racists.
And judging by my positive interactions with fans, vendors, and even some musicians, these are some of the friendliest, morally grounded individuals you’ll ever meet.
Just goes to show you really can’t judge a book by its cover.
Have you been to this killer event yet? Planning to hit similar events in 2024 and beyond? Are you also hoping that both Lagwagon and Millencolin play at the same fest? Who do you want to see play? Leave a comment or flick a DM and let me know what you think!
