Nestled in the woods just east of LaCamas Lake along Goodwin Road – hosts the 14th annual TomFest.

A three day music festival featuring 130 bands and recording artist – 127 of which, I have never heard of, yet my son knew most of the names.

Tomfest2 concert

At first appearance, one has to adjust to this sub-culture of Christian music – it’s loud, very loud and high energy.  “Singers” scream throughout the entire “song”. Young people – mostly guys, covered in tattoos, body piercing, and non-traditional hair styles jump up and down, swinging their arms as though they are in a street fight and into each other. I was informed later this is called a Mosh Pit. Yet I was surprised that while hundreds of people were doing this, no one got injured.

Hundreds of people are attending this event over the weekend. As I listened to the music and the dialog between the songs I found the common ground – not among this sub-culture of young people but between my generation and theirs….a common ground in God. When I saw beyond the tats, piercings, and odd dress – I found nice, polite, young people, open to having a conversation with an “old” guy that has no clue about who they are or why they do what they do, yet we have a common ground as well.

If you would like to experience a positive day, obtain some culture one doesn’t see around Camas to often, check out the TomFest Site and head out. They have several stages, vendors, food. But keep the drugs and alcohol at home…. Not allowed. Oh, and take ear plugs or it’ll take a day for your hearing to return.

www.tomfest.com

-Gary

tomfest09 mosh