EOTO, Tipper, RAQ and Big Gigantic Make Waves at The Big Up

Marco Benvento was the first headlining act to play, backed by Ween bassist Dave Dreiwitz and drummer Andy Borger. Benevento offered alcohol-fueled versions of “The Real Morning Party,” the theme from “Tetris” and a surprise cover of Elton John’s “Benny and The Jets,” which turned into a crowd sing-along as Benevento climbed to the edge of the stage. Papadosio was a late night highlight on Thursday, hitting the barn stage at midnight to a crowd of fans covered in glowsticks and waving poles with inflatable animals taped to the top of them. The set was mostly electronic and dance oriented, with some standout moments by keyboardist Anthony Thogmartin. The show was projected on large screens on the side of the barn for those who couldn’t make it inside the barn, which featured a floor that was completely covered in moon mats. By the end of Papadosio’s set and up until The Polish Ambassador’s 4 A.M. set, the entire barn was shaking.

Friday night was heavy on dubstep and electronic music, as Higher Organix played an all-improv set that was heavy on the wobble and distorted bass, and could be heard across the campsite. Big Gigantic played one of the most hyped sets of the weekend on the main stage, featuring hip-hop and breakbeat-heavy setlist which included songs like “I Need A Dolla,” “Black and Yellow” and “Get ‘Em High.” Rain broke out during the dubstep breakdown of one of their new songs, which left the entire crowd soaked and screaming for more. English DJ Ott then took the late night barn stage, playing a mostly downtempo ambient set which was perfect for the wet crowd to nod their heads and dry off to. However, the quiet didn’t last long, as Digital Tape Machine—made up of Umphrey’s McGee members Kris Myers and Joel Cummins as well as Joe Hettinga, Kevin Barry, David Arrendondo, Marcus Rezak and Dan Rucinski. The music sounded almost like a Nintendo soundtrack at points, mixed with shredding guitar and upbeat dance grooves led by Myers. Rogue Chimp put on an extremely interesting set hidden away in the newly added woods stage, which was lit up by blacklights and fluorescent stage decorations. The crowd clapped and screamed throughout the performance, which featured a mix of improvisation and violin-led compositions. True to their name, at the end of the set violinist Mark Woodyatt donned a monkey mask and beat his chest as the show winded down and the sun began to rise.

Sock Monkey Party Supplies | Party Café

Sock Monkey Party Supplies are in stock at Discount Party Supplies! Get ready to introduce a new generation of kids to the classic American sock monkey with a party for your little one! Sock monkey parties are especially great for first birthdays, but are tons of fun for most kids under five!

No one knows when or where the first sock monkey was created, but nowadays, we all associate it with the classic gray and white work sock with the red heel (as seen above). The Nelson Knitting Mills of Rockford, Illinois first manufactured work socks in 1890 after patenting the world’s first sock-knitting machine. Their socks were so popular that the Nelson Knitting Mills began giving their socks bright red heels in 1932 to distinguish their socks from imitations. When someone sent in a red heel sock monkey to the company years later, the sock monkey as we know it today was born. In 1951, the Nelson Knitting Mills started to include instructions on how to make sock monkeys (and the less popular sock elephants) with every pair of red heel socks sold. In 1992, Fox River Mills bought Nelson Knitting Mills, but continues their tradition today by selling the red heel socks with sock monkey instructions.

Hosting this party should be fun, simple and classic. For invitations, just print out small color copies of a picture of a sock monkey, glue one to each white or red cardstock invitation, and handwrite the information in a nice, classy cursive. For decorations, we can totally help you out! We’ve got napkins , plates , tablecovers , everything you need for your sock monkey-themed party! Add red and gray streamers with some white balloons, and you’re home should be ready for guests. For dessert, bake some red velvet cupcakes. Drinks can include American classics like root beer for the adults and apple juice for the kids. Bananas and nuts (check with guests about allergies!) are great snacks to have around the place. Hamburgers and caesar salad will make an easy, classic meal. If you need activities for the kids, just come up with some age appropriate crafts. For example, really young ones will be thrilled to just glue pre-cut sock monkey paper parts onto a piece of construction paper!

Sock monkeys epitomize the American DIY spirit and the nostalgic charm of classic childhood toys. What better way to celebrate a youngster’s birthday than to introduce them to lovable sock monkeys!

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