I ended up taking a younger friend with me as he did show interest in the event. I purchased two tickets, but sold one of the special run tickets to get a bit more money as I was not even sure what to expect. I did not even know about the Clarion! When my tickets arrived, it all became real to me. I was going to an event that I had begged my parents to take me to for years. I had paid for it with my own money, saved up all of my paychecks and tax return to be able to pay for models and gas to get there. I was beyond excited. At least, I was until I realized that I did not have a hotel (I have lived within an hour of the park since I moved to Kentucky) and my car was not a great vehicle (That seems to be a theme with me..). I also did not know what to expect at all.
On Thursday before the event, I was watching a video where it showed the NPOD line and I was like OMG....The line is starting already?! I posted about it in a group and I got no response. I asked my dad what I should do. He shrugged and said that it was my event and I was an adult, do what felt right about it. So I packed up my car in record time, grabbed the friend, and went down the KHP. I pulled right in and got an amazing parking spot and was literally 25th in line. I did not sleep that night and talked to everyone that I could. I was extremely apprehensive, yet excited. I learned about the Clarion in the line and ended up going there later that weekend. That Breyerfest was completely overwhelming and I was lost completely.
In 2013, I did ride my horse so my Breyerfest was completely different and I was more nervous as my horse had been retired for several years already and I was scared that he would hurt himself or would fall as he was having some odd balance issues at the time due to arthritis. But that was the Breyerfest that I spent literally $25 and had a blast! I am still looking for pictures and videos of me there, if anyone has some to share with me!
2014, I had literally just had my youngest and last child. I was informed by doctor and husband that I was not to go to Breyerfest and I said ok. I sold my 3 day ticket and was going to actually behave. However, after sitting around in the hospital after my c-section, I decided that I needed to escape while my husband was still on paternity leave. I bought several single day tickets and tried to escape. However, husband and the two kids followed me because I was not allowed to go alone. I did not spend much more, but I had a special run ticket, I went to the Clarion, and had an absolute blast!
In 2015, I had started pushing Road To Breyerfest more and more. A friend at the time decided to help me and I learned about the event while she monitored the group and planned events. I learned more and more about how things at the event worked and then even started learning about Stone's Equilocity as well. I pushed the group and really started to help people. I purchased two tickets to get the special runs and boy, I was excited. This was the year that I really knew what I was doing and I was able to help people in advance. However, once I got to the event, I was actually terrified! I do have severe social anxiety and people were starting to know me by name and I was like OMG, hide me please! However, I worked through it and had a great time!
2016 was similar to 2015 and I still pushed for the group to help others learn about the event. I helped toms of people, had a lovely meet up with my friend helping and hit up a few of the other things that happened. I was still excited and happy! But I was still apprehensive when I actually got to the event.
2017 was the year that I volunteered for the first time. I had never been so excited and nervous at the same time! I had no idea what to expect, but I just helped the people in the group and continued on with that. When more information came in, I actually ended up borrowing a car to make sure that I could get to Breyerfest and not have any issues. I was so nervous! But I was beyond excited! Once at the event and volunteering, I had an absolute blast and met even more people that loved the event, model horses, and I met some that I could help while at the event. Not only did I help people while volunteering, I but I helped grow the group when I was not volunteering. But after the event, I was exhausted and in my mind, I was unsure that I wanted to do it again next year.
Next year came and well, I put in my application to volunteer and bought a ticket for 2018. My exhaustion had left and I was truly looking forward to the event once more! I was picked to volunteer and was beyond excited. The group had grown by leaps and bounds and now I covered not only Breyerfest, but Equilocity and all of the outside events that surrounded that one weekend in the year! By the end of the event, I was beyond exhausted. I had a blast, but my schedule was almost too much more me and I even ended up with Heat Stroke on Saturday. I was so dazed that I drove home with Heat Stroke and all of my family went crazy because well, my car was crappy and I apparently did not answer the phone. But I told my family that I might not go the next year.
However, here it is 2019 and guess what?! I have purchased my tickets and am already planning a meet and greet or two. So this year, I am excited once more, despite having insane vehicle issues (It likes to shut off while I am driving and some times, it doesn't come back on! But I am trying to fix it before the event, although 45 days does not give me much time unless I do a quick fix.), I am getting excited to head to Lexington and hang out with my friends and group members! I have been planning outfits and shoes and even which bags to take and blankets to take to sleep in my car during the Ninja Pit ordeal. How do I feel now? I am excited! I am anxious. But most importantly, I need a vacation!
I hope that this timeline helps you with how you feel about Breyerfest as the event grows closer and I hope that I will see you at Breyerfest!
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