Purgatory Heaven & Hell® 2025 My Post Thoughts on Purgatory 2025

First and foremost, to everyone over the last 20 years who made the 20^th annual Purgatory possible, I say a huge thank you.  I once had a man in year 2 or 3 tell me that I was riding a wave and to enjoy it as every wave crashes, and prepare to fall flat on my face. Not knowing me, he motivated me to an entirely new level in everything I produced. The 20^th annual was one of those years. It became time to bring in new light and sound production teams, and I think everyone can attest that Stage Directions and Tech D productions brought the sound and lighting on every stage to a new level. I heard music festival vibes mixed with LS vibes so many times this year. But you, the party guests, took this year to an entirely new energy level. You all were on point for all the themes. So many new party guests this year from across the nation, and I even met some guests from London and Canada.  Every one of you came ready to stand out in the crowd, and you did.

Looking at the pictures coming in, one can tell that Jen and Alex knocked it out of the park again with the photo booths. The front door staff and security team kept everyone safe and guided us all through the weekend. What can I not say about the Hotel staff? I am a foodie, and the food was on point. For the first time, we could get food from breakfast all through the day and night till 4 am. Jen and Bri at the main bar were on top of it. The hotel management team works hand in hand with me and Jerred, who contracted our group, needed a vacation immediately after Purgatory. He and I started on Monday morning before guests arrived, and he was with us through the last night, making sure everyone and everything was on point.

Now, thoughts on the artists. We had a lot of new DJs this year who had waited years to get on the Purgatory lineup. Every one of the DJs brought the energy. We had ScottyBoy doing a country set, we had EDM DJs doing hip hop sets, and the music genres flowed from stage to stage. I have never seen the Grand Ballroom so packed from doors open to doors closed. For the first time, we did a sunrise stage, Etheral Dawn, on the Fuego stage. Sir John, Pow Pow, and beXXX took us to sunrise. The pop-up fire dancer was a nice surprise for everyone. I would expect the Fuego Stage next year to go extra late on all nights, with Etheral Dawn returning on the last night.

I had a few surprises this year for guests, and I also had a few surprises for myself. A Ghost Walker on stilts, 11 ft in the air while on stage, TED returning to dance on stage after a 10-plus year absence, a minion army line dancing to country. Four break dancers are taking the main stage on the last night, and yes, that fire dancer on the Fuego stage. Lastly, Rachel and I got engaged two weeks before Purgatory 2025. So our friends surprised us with three days/nights of celebrations. Which made this year even more special.

Enclosing, and if you read this far.  We blew well past 1500 people in attendance this year. A record crowd and save the date of July 15-19, 2026, for the 21^st annual Purgatory. Details will be released in about six weeks.