On Friday, Aug. 3, the Vans Warped Tour held their final showing in Orlando, Florida. Held at the Tinker Field stadium, this festival brought people of varying backgrounds and interests together through their love for music.

The tension was irreplaceably unique, the heat was almost suffocating, and the excitement was undeniable. People formed into one large mass, as they pushed against the admission gates. Vendors made their way through the crowd selling setlists, sunscreen, and other classic Warped Tour merchandise like hats. The crowd spoke with excitement about their purchases and the bands they were preparing to see. As time was getting closer to 11 a.m., the anticipation was palpable, with concertgoers ready to run to their first shows of the day and acquire information about band signings and meet and greets. When it reached 11 a.m., the gates opened and an audible gasp was heard through the crowd as everyone rushed forward and entered the venue.

Local bands, artists, and charity groups roamed the areas surrounding the arena, offering free items and playing music demos. The security worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of everyone during the shows. The environment radiated positivity; from the carefree nature of the local bands to the treatment of concert goers, everyone was ready to lend a helping hand. The entire crowd, young and old, was ready to make their last Warped Tour a memorable one, and the exuberance expressed throughout the day made the shows even better than expected.

The atmosphere at Warped Tour was electric, as people expressed themselves through their outfits and enthusiasm. The shows were full of surprises and energy from those performing. My day began with 3OH3!’s lively performance including interpretive dances, guest appearances and throwback songs that proved to be crowd favorites. People danced expressively and sang the songs in unison. I then listened to Tonight Alive while waiting for Mayday Parade to perform at a nearby stage. Tonight Alive put on an inclusive performance thanks to lead singer, Jenna McDougall’s who encouraged all people, no matter their size, to crowd surf. With her extended praise of the security and how hard they worked to ensure the safety of the attendants, McDougall created a positive environment. As her performance finished, the anticipation could be sensed as the crowd shifted to merge with those tirelessly awaiting Mayday Parade. When the band’s banner dropped, the crowd shuffled and cheered. The energy was thrilling, people were being shoved from side to side and crowd surfers were coming from all directions, yet people continued to sing and enjoy themselves despite the atmosphere. Crowd surfers would fall and get back up again as they made their way to the front to get a closer look at their favorites bands. With overpriced drinks and snacks everywhere, wallets seemingly got lighter with every step. Between socializing with food and merchandise vendors it was easy to get caught in the social aspects. Just as the day was reaching its highest point, Florida showers made their way to the stadium, displacing concert goers, vendors, and artists. Concerts were paused for 45 minutes and tour goers were shuffled under the safety of the stadium, but as soon as the gates opened for re-entry a stampede charged forward. Even with the massive crowd standing in light rain, the guitarist of We the Kings, Coley O’Toole, began their show with an ode to the “Titanic” soundtrack.

The show was mesmerizing, from the energy emitted during the recordings of a music video and the crowds’ synchronized dances, people came together despite obstacles to enjoy it. As the Warped Tour was reaching its end, the classic band, Simple Plan, took over one of the main stages. From hits like “Perfect” to “Welcome To My Life,” the crowd was shocked as drummer, Chuck Comeau, announced that he intended to crowd surf while also breaking the record for the most people crowd surfing during a show. What ensued could be described as a mix of limbs, music and unmistakable spirit. Overall, it was a magical ending to the Vans Warped Tour, a place where people went to find somewhere to belong. I can truly say that the final Vans Warped Tour gave everyone a home.

“It was a really amazing experience,” senior Emma Murphy said. “There were so many people and it was honestly so awesome to connect with so many people. However, Simple Plans’ idea of connecting with people was kind of terrifying.”