On this #throwbackthursday, I want to take you back to July 27 and share a memorable experience we had this year, celebrating my son’s 22nd birthday at The Big Stomp Louisville 2024. This outing wasn’t just a birthday celebration but a wonderful opportunity to bond as a family and raise awareness about mental health. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive that special day!
A Brief History of The Big Stomp
Before I dive into our experience, let me give you a little background on The Big Stomp. Formally known as “PeteFest,” The Big Stomp was established in 2017 to honor Louisville native Pete Jones. Pete was known for his brilliance, kindness, and happiness. Despite the love he gave and received, Pete struggled with internal suffering that led him to take his own life in December 2016. His final wish was “to help mankind,” and The Big Stomp aims to fulfill this by championing mental health and breaking down barriers of acceptance.
The festival is a beautiful tribute to Pete’s legacy, rallying the community to support mental health so that no one has to silently suffer the debilitating conditions that took Pete from this world. You can learn more about this inspiring festival at The Big Stomp.
Our Day at The Big Stomp
I thought The Big Stomp would be the perfect outing to celebrate my son’s birthday and bring the entire family together. And I was right—it turned out to be an unforgettable day filled with joy, learning, and a deeper understanding of mental health.
Horse Therapy Booth
Our first stop was the horse therapy booth, where we got to pet and walk a miniature horse. This was such a unique and calming experience! My stepson Luis is big on horses, so I thought he would surely be down for this. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize how intimidating real-life horses (even the little ones) can be. Nevertheless, Luis eventually calmed down enough to do some soft petting and, with the help of the trainer, walked the horse a few feet. In this booth, we learned about the benefits of horse therapy, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. The best part was seeing the smiles on my family’s faces as they went past their fears and interacted with the miniature horse. It was heartwarming.
Painting Booth With Detour to Music Therapy
Next, we headed to the painting booth. Three of us decided to channel our inner artists and create our masterpieces. It was so much fun to see each other’s creativity come to life on canvas. We proudly posted our paintings at the booth, leaving a little piece of our artistic expression for others to enjoy. Chloe and I were the first to finish our masterpieces, so we left Johnny to take his time and finish his while we went to check out the instruments next door. Can you believe there’s an instrument that sounds like a water cascade? Nope, neither did we. This was super cool. But the one instrument I found to be very soothing was the ocean drum.
Meditating Booth
The soothing booth was another highlight of our day. They had mats and headphones with soothing music, creating a perfect environment for meditation. We took some time to relax, meditate, and simply enjoy the peaceful moment amidst the festival’s lively atmosphere. It was a great reminder of the importance of taking a break and finding calm in our busy lives.
The Only Hiccup: The Heat and Humidity
The only thing that slightly threw off the mood was the heat and humidity that day. We definitely could have used fewer clothes to cope with the weather! Despite the discomfort, it didn’t dampen our spirits, and we made the most of the day by staying hydrated, trying out the mocktails, and finding shade whenever possible.
Planting a Seed of Mental Health Awareness
Reflecting on our day at The Big Stomp, I feel like I planted a seed not just in my son but in the entire family about the importance of mental health. The festival’s activities and booths offered valuable insights into different ways we can support our mental well-being. It was a day of fun, learning, and, most importantly, connection.
I hope you enjoyed this little throwback to The Big Stomp Louisville 2024. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for mental health. If you ever get the chance to attend, I highly recommend it. Remember, taking care of our mental health is just as important as our physical health.
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Have you ever attended a festival or event that made a lasting impact on you? Let’s keep the conversation going and continue to support each other on our mental health journeys.
#ThrowbackThursday #TheBigStomp #MentalHealthAwareness #FamilyTime
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