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By Bridger Swinimer

Bridger Swinimer 11/4/25 Bridger Swinimer 11/4/25

Freak fest - Rural South Carolina 2025

Documenting 4 days of metal and raves. a drag show, wrestling and camping. With founder and promoter Ethan Lewis

-Freak Fest October 2025-

A 4 DAY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL HELD AT THE VINEYARD/CAMPGROUNDS OF THE CARTERSVILLE COUNTRY WINERY IN TIMMONSVILLE, SC

An unforgettable experience. 4 days of metal, raves, a drag show, wrestling and camping.

For the freaks booking

Article and images by Bridger Swinimer

Founder and promoter - Ethan Lewis

“Freak Fest began as a one night event in 2023 to bring all my friends from multiple walks of life\genres of music & subcultures together. It was meant to be a place where anyone who is a part of any DIY alternative subculture can come and be among like-minded individuals and express themselves freely without a label or anything boxing themselves in. Anyone who doesn’t belong or fit in the outside world belongs here. Freak is a universal term that isn’t subculture specific, gender specific, genre specific - it’s whatever you want it to be.”

Bridger- If Freak Fest could leave one lasting impact, what would you want it to be?

Ethan- Giving people at least one weekend a year where they feel at home and able to be themselves in a space free of judgment and full of community. A space that they leave feeling inspired, motivated and understood.

Across three stages- over 60 bands and DJ’s from the Carolina’s and beyond play into the night

Wyatt Merland performing with Severed by Dawn

Ethan Lewis- South Carolina is often overlooked, but these past few years of Freak Fest show that when we all come together, we can create something unlike anything anywhere else in the world. There’s so much life, love, talent and potential here and there’s nothing like Freak Fest and that’s all thanks to every single person who stepped foot on the property this year. I love you guys.

Tattoos by Logan Brewer and Preston W

Until death do we part

get tattooed die cool

Ethan Archer cutting hair between the vines.

Drag show hosted by Darlene Dearest

Cult Pro Wrestling

Pickles are great

until you're in one

Ethan Lewis- It feels like an escape from reality. We use the term “freak city” because it truly feels like we create our own little town and community on the 20 acre property for the weekend. It’s a family reunion and a place to meet new folks who identify with what For the Freaks stands for.

-Ethan Lewis-

I’m gonna keep doing this for as long as possible. It’s a labor of love. A passion project. A year round job that takes every ounce of every person on the team. I imagine the next chapter as another level of progression likened to the progression we made from 2024 to this year. I feel like each year we’ve gotten better and became a more organized, focused festival. I hope to continue tightening that bond amongst staff and freaks while also continuing to expand our audience. We already have a lot of ideas on what we can provide to make everyone who attends experience better. The wheels were turning before the festival even ended this year. It’s all a learning curve and a constant drive to make this festival better and better each year.

Creating a temporary home between the grape vines

The resident cats stroll through the grounds stopping for pets and food.

-Ethan Lewis-

Thank you for seeing and believing in the vision. None of this is possible without your support and attendance and love. This will always be for you. For the Freaks.

Bridger Swinimer 6/28/25 Bridger Swinimer 6/28/25

Coney Island mermaid parade june 2025

Since 1983, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from across the country — and around the world — have headed to the Coney Island shore for Coney Island USA’s annual Mermaid parade

The 43rd Annual Mermaid Parade.

Since 1983, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from across the country — and around the world — have headed to the Coney Island shore for Coney Island USA’s annual Mermaid parade

Article and images by Bridger Swinimer

Inspired by the Coney Island Mardi Gras parades of 1903 to 1954.

According to Wikipedia, Coney Island’s first Mermaid Parade took place in 1983, and it is now the largest art parade in the United States, attracting over 3,000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators.

Coney Island has a rich history of sideshows/freak shows, Amusement parks, destructive fires, sewage pollution, corrupt cops, iconic attractions, and unusual exhibitions including:

-Premature incubator baby displays by Martin Couney in 1920.

-Public execution of Topsy the elephant in 1903 by Frederick Thompson and Elmer Dundy to advertise the opening of their new park (Luna Park), by euthanizing Topsy and charging admission to see the spectacle.

-A boat ride that simulated a fiery shipwreck and the gates of hell, created by Samuel W. Gumpertz in 1905 at Dreamland, complete with flames and screams of terror.

Today, Coney Island is a mix of classic amusements, new attractions, and a growing arts scene. The boardwalk is still alive with rides, food stands, and crowds, while landmarks like the Wonder Wheel and Nathan’s Famous keep their vintage charm alive.

Although many old sideshows and parks are long gone, the area continues to celebrate its history through events like the Mermaid Parade, blending nostalgia with a fresh, creative spirit.

The boardwalk was filled with music coming from every corner. Creativity transforms Coney Island into a sweat drenched playground, where music, costumes, and human connection blend into an unforgettable celebration of community and the coming of summer.