How Dirtybird Campout East Became the Best Festival of 2018
Dirtybird Campout East was definitely one for the books. Not only was it the first campout outside of the West coast, but it was saved from being completely shut down and was reincarnated to be an unforgettable and comically magnificent experience for everybody involved. Ironically, it was located in FOREVER Florida, which is a scenic wildlife terrain in Saint Cloud, Florida.
The festival started with a pre-party for its early birds. Being the professional partyers that they are, the dirtybirds managed to receive an unwelcome noise complaint from a grumpy nearby resident, which sadly resulted in the festival having to close its doors to its attendees the following day for several hours before eventually allowing them inside. Sadly, with the county taking away the festival’s permit, there was no music played for the entire first day/night of the festival. The attendees, however, maintained a beautifully positive and supportive attitude and showed unfathomable support, offered help to the managers and reached out to contacts, and kept the party alive with multiple renegade stages that played non-stop music.
The Dirtybird team worked diligently and continuously to bring the festival back to life, reaching out to numerous resources for help, including Senators, Governors, lawyers, and even the most popular face of Florida who helped save the day, Pitbull – yes, “Mr. 305” himself. Here is a statement from Dirtybirds’ lawyer (Leslie Zigel) about the process of getting the permit back:
At the 11th hour, Dirtybird Campout East reached out to Leslie Jose Zigel who together with his partner Joe Geller of Greenspoon Marder persuaded County officials to agree to a compromise in reducing the hours and decibel level of the music to allow the festival to go on, while being sensistive to the local community noise complaints.
The following is a heartwarming video of the moment the dirtybird team finally got the good news to continue the festival. It features Claude Von Stroke, the label boss himself, along with his wife and right hand in business – Aundy.
This event really became a festival that will be forever remembered and talked about as the festival that was turned from a possible catastrophe into magical experience for everybody involved.
Words: Anna Abovyan
Photos: Jessi Jae Joplin
