Paradiso weekend was something that we at Respect My Region really looked forward to this year after having our photographer Dustin (OD) Adams attend last years festival. OD came back after Paradiso 2013 with nothing butgood things to say about how dope the festival actually was. One of the most memorable statements he said was that “RMR NEEDS to be at Paradiso next year.” He continued to rave about the awesome vibes and the interest people took in what he was doing repping RMR and so on. So, because of OD’s words we made sure that RMR would have super VIP volunteer access to this year’s festival. We wanted to make sure we did everything super proper so that this wasn’t just some party and camping trip. It’s important to us that even while we have a good time we are still getting as much footage as possible and taking care of our work as water station volunteers.
Respect My Region has a short history of volunteering with USC Events. I volunteered for Resolution 2014 back on New Years with some other RMR friends before being joined by Dustin, Delilah, and Jake for Lucky 2014 and again at Life in Color. Each time we have volunteered we have been presented with different challenges that come along with thousands and thousands of thirsty people. Volunteering as part of USC Events water station team has allowed us to experience these magnificent events in a really unique way. We are able to connect with many different people by providing them with free water and a little bit of help here and there.
For Paradiso we were able to put together a team of four people who were tasked with relieving the other volunteers positioned at water stations throughout the gorge. This was my first year attending and I can’t describe how absolutely perfect my experience really was. Being around most of my current friends and reuniting with countless others made for the dopest weekend I’ve had in my entire life. Myself, OD, Delilah Blacketeer, and Jake Scott rotated through each of the stations located on the backside of the terrace, the wreckage stage, the main-stage pit, and the center “non-stage” pathway. Every volunteer and conscious crew worker we came across seemed to be doing a wonderful job managing everyone trying to go ham at the water stations and around each stage. Props to the Conscious Crew worker who stayed with a girl for 5+ hours and walked her out to her friends afterwards too… Those kind of #PLUR / #FamilyOverEverything type of actions are why we volunteer for these types of events. We love being a positive part of this scene and being able to help others at these massive events.
OD and I were able to capture tons of footage and pictures during our three days out at the gorge and have been dying to get them out to you all. If there is one thing I have learned about the Pacific Northwest, we can definitely party. We hope you all enjoy the pictures and stay tuned for our #RMRdisoAfterMovie!
