Any Word On ProgDay 2022?

**Lopez** · 07-24-2022

There were about six of us beer snobs that got together a couple of times in between sets. We just stood around one end of a picnic table in the covered pavillion and shared beer. Nothing formal. Good beer (even not so good - I do enjoy a cold Bud Light with lime after a few hours weeding the garden) and good friends. Please join in, Mark.

**Firth** · 07-24-2022

Originally Posted by Lopez

There were about six of us beer snobs that got together a couple of times in between sets. We just stood around one end of a picnic table in the covered pavillion and shared beer. Nothing formal. Good beer (even not so good - I do enjoy a cold Bud Light with lime after a few hours weeding the garden) and good friends. Please join in, Mark.

I said to a friend who had a can, “Coors Light tastes like water”. He responds instantly, “That’s the point”

**mozo-pg** · 07-24-2022

Do people smoke any of the funny stuff? Or is the focus on beer.

**SteveSly** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by mozo-pg

Do people smoke any of the funny stuff? Or is the focus on beer.

The focus is on whatever you want. ProgDay is the most laid back festival there is.

**Firth** · 07-25-2022

Progeezer (RIP Steve Kessler, last Progday attended 2019 in person) was always sharing the stash.

**battema** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by SteveSly

The focus is on whatever you want. ProgDay is the most laid back festival there is.

If memory serves, it took the lady with the flaming twirling batons near the stage for someone to finally say "whoa, easy there folks"

That said...I've always appreciated that folks are mostly respectful of others when it comes to the non-stage entertainment. It's not some enforced thing, the crowd has always just been darn considerate. Folks who really want to focus on the music are out there listening. Folks who want to chat, do frisbee, etc., go toward the back or off to the side to enjoy themselves.

**zappaeverafter** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by Firth

Progeezer (RIP Steve Kessler, last Progday attended 2018 in person) was always sharing the stash.

PS: people commented after the 2019 Progday in which Steve couldn’t attend, that they missed his medicine

Actually, the Geez was in attendance at the 2019 festival. He and I traveled together to the last 3 physical fests.

**battema** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by zappaeverafter

Actually, the Geez was in attendance at the 2019 festival. He and I traveled together to the last 3 physical fests.

Ironically and prophetically, when he arrived at Comfort Inn he pretty loudly let everyone know that this WOULD be his last Progday.

RIP all over again

**SteveSly** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by battema

If memory serves, it took the lady with the flaming twirling batons near the stage for someone to finally say "whoa, easy there folks"

That said...I've always appreciated that folks are mostly respectful of others when it comes to the non-stage entertainment. It's not some enforced thing, the crowd has always just been darn considerate. Folks who really want to focus on the music are out there listening. Folks who want to chat, do frisbee, etc., go toward the back or off to the side to enjoy themselves.

I would agree that for the most part everyone is respectable of everyone else. Of course there are also families with children in attendance so some discretion is sometimes called for, but everyone is usually cool.

**Firth** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by zappaeverafter

Actually, the Geez was in attendance at the 2019 festival. He and I traveled together to the last 3 physical fests.

That’s interesting because I did some difficult research which brought up 2019 wasn’t going to happen for Steve. I started that post assuming he was there in 2019, but changed it.

**Firth** · 07-25-2022

Geez’s feelings after attending the 2019 fest.

I just got home about an hour ago exhausted but feeling very loved and also very sad and wistful.

A totally unexpected shout out was given for me by Michael at the end of Morglbl's closing set (karmic that both the late Kay & I knew the guys in the band) after everyone knew that while the spirit is willing etc. for me. My body don't like me no mo'. I couldn't stop sobbing from the love that rained on me right after Mike's comments. I will achingly miss many people next year.

**Firth** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by Ground and Sky's Ghost:
You were missed Steve. If you haven't heard, in honor of the 25th anniversary, Michael Bennett gave a quick history of ProgDay after the first band and mentioned your role in keeping the festival going back in the early 2000s. There was an audible "Aw" in the crowd when he said you couldn't be there this year.

Geez:
Yeah, but a lot of them also were sad when they finally realized that I really meant it when I said that my body just can't do the trip anymore after this year.

So try not to get too excited about the adulation from the ProgDay crowd, SS. I'm living proof that there's no accounting for taste with these people.

**moecurlythanu** · 07-25-2022

^ Sad all over again. What a good dude he seemed to be. My interaction with him was limited to online, but the stories from those who knew him irl painted quite a positive picture.

**Firth** · 07-25-2022

RIP Steve (Progeezer)

**NogbadTheBad** · 07-25-2022

Thanks for the posts Firth

**Firth** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by NogbadTheBad

Thanks for the posts Firth

Thanks for the appreciation.

**SteveSly** · 07-25-2022

Many losses since the last ProgDay unfortunately. TJ Higgins, Roger Brady, Uncle Norm are also no longer with us.

**battema** · 07-25-2022

Originally Posted by SteveSly

Many losses since the last ProgDay unfortunately. TJ Higgins, Roger Brady, Uncle Norm are also no longer with us.

Chris B, Lew....it's not a short list. No matter how many folks show up, going to feel a little empty this time around.

**mozo-pg** · 07-25-2022

That's a great picture of Steve.

**Lopez** · 07-26-2022

The last 5 or 6 PDs, Steve and I bunked together at the Comfort Inn. The room will be a little emptier this year without him.

His presence was a presentation.

**Firth** · 07-26-2022

Originally Posted by battema

Chris B, Lew....it's not a short list. No matter how many folks show up, going to feel a little empty this time around.

In no way did I mean that it was a short list. Perhaps Michael will open with a statement of recognition. RIP to all.

**aith01** · 07-26-2022

Originally Posted by moecurlythanu

^ Sad all over again. What a good dude he seemed to be. My interaction with him was limited to online, but the stories from those who knew him irl painted quite a positive picture.

Same here.

**adap2it** · 07-26-2022

Originally Posted by zappaeverafter

Actually, the Geez was in attendance at the 2019 festival. He and I traveled together to the last 3 physical fests.

This is a picture of Steve at Progday 2019. He did say that this was going to be his last Progday and I told him to think positive and see how it goes. He replied that his health was deteriorating very quickly and he was quite sure that he wouldn't be doing it again.
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