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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.