2013 Bella was a challenging year. Rain slowed everything to a crawl. A crowd that, those of us who have been at Harmony for years are not quite used to. And so much more, each of you know the challenges you took on. I don’t have the words to say how I feel about the AMAZING JOB you all did. To say Thank You just don’t feel like enough. Time will show me a way to show you how much you all mean to me and our festival.
To the
Volunteers- You are rock stars for toughing through the weather and challenges you faced this year.
Just about every shift had no-shows, making your job so much harder. Please know that we saw this. We know who you all are and we will remember what you did for us.
Staff- Lena, Jared, Lexi, Sheila, Rachel, Adena, Nicole, Ali, Ryan, John, Shanny, Justin, Matt James and Crew I love you guys so much. Thank you for making everything happen. Sticking threw the tough time this year proved to be. In the end it was a success and I owe it all to you.
Vendors- Paisley Pistol and Crew you effing KILLED IT. Blew my expectations away. You brought in vendors from W. Virginia, Kentucky, Iowa, Ohio, California, and more, HOLY SHIP.
THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THE TRIP and toughing out the rain, we look forward to working with you all again..
Security- Randy and Sam and the rest of the Specialists Family, Thank you for keeping us safe. You guys are seriously under appreciated. Please know, We do thank you for everything you do.
1st Aid/EMT- Justin, it was an honor hearing that you saw how far I have come. It is really great to have you back and the future looks bright knowing you will be keeping the kids safe.
Chaplains- YOU GUYS ARE HANDS DOWN AMAZING. EVERYONE OWES YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.
Bands- You all brought your A games and made Bella sound so cool..
Sound Guys/ Allied Sound- Matt James, Andy Frey and your whole crew, What can I say. As always it sounded great.
Artists- Martin: website, Sara Skalko: Graphic Design, and the Home Grown crew for live onsite art.. You all make us look so cool. THANK YOU FOR DEALING WITH MY desire to see things my way, and putting me in my place when I need to be.
To my Amazing and supportive wife Lena. I love you.
Love. It’s the most powerful thing on the planet. Its being there to comfort each other as we grow old, and there for all the times in between. Love is our family. Love is life, love is sacrificing it all. Love is the reason you care – for the tiny, and the fragile, for the wise, and irreplaceable. For all the things in your life that make life worth living. You give me my reason and I LOVE showing you off to the world, You are my soul mate, my best friend, my better half. Here’s to 50yrs baby.
and my beautiful children- It is an honor being your father and watching you grow. All of you are the single best treasures in my life and thank you for inspiring me to be better.
Harmony Park- There are 2 words that are synonymous with Harmony Park. 2 words that are said more at Harmony than any other concert venue in the country. 2 words that are blasted all over the park, seen when you arrive and told to you over and over as you wander the grounds.. I knew we are losing our community when I hear that the response to ones “WELCOME HOME” is “whatever man”. It saddens my heart and questions my desire to move forward. We really need to find our community again. We need to unite or we will lose that which we love so much. We come together for so much more than the music. But them reason are getting replaced with demons. It saddens my heart and makes me question my mission.
Jay, I love you and your park. From the 1st time I stepped into your place I knew that I wanted to be a part of what you are doing there.. This year was a challenge. I know that I say this every year and when 14 rolls around I will come back for more.
Thank you for opening your gates to me and my Family. Thank you for your continued support and believing in me and my vision.
See you soon brother.
Thank you all for taking the time.
Chris Vdakes
Bella Familia