Nominated: Annalise “Ace Freely” Syverson

“My name is Jake Anthony. I had a blast at last years Summer Camp (2012) and would love the chance to win passes for my MVP and I to both attend in 2013.

My MVP’s name is Annalise Syverson (goes by Ace Freely) and she’s turned me onto festivals, music and activities that have made me connect with a side of myself I didn’t know about. Being able to express my artistic and creative sides around others, I’ve found people I relate to and music that speaks to me better than what I was listening to before. You may think that just by watching someone else live their everyday lives, it wouldn’t affect you. However, there’s something about watching someone who’s happy with who they are, who takes life as it comes at them, that makes you realize life is too short to live worrying about others judgements.

Summer Camp is my kind of venue. Fire spinners, body painting, shredding music and mind-blowing talent all-around, I’m never bored and always have the killer time.”

Nominated: Ryan Howard

“I have attended Summer Camp for the past 4 years. It is an event that I look forward to every year. This past Summer Camp was approaching and I was growing depressed because I didn’t think I would be able to attend due to the fact that I was 8 months pregnant! I didn’t know how I would be able to endure all the walking, the heat, and getting through the crowd of people with my growing belly and swollen feet. My Fiance, Ryan Howard, who has attended Summer Camp the past 10 years did everything in his power to make sure we could attend at least one day on Sunday.

Ryan is my Summer Camp MVP because he did everything in his power to make sure that I was comfortable. He pulled a wagon to every show with a cooler full of water and food for me and bungee tied a chair to the top of the cooler. He bared through the crowds lugging this full wagon around to make it to each of the shows we wanted to go to. Whenever we arrived to the show, he would set up my chair with my umbrella to shade me from the sun, give me a cold bottle of water, and would rub my poor feet. Being 8 months pregnant, it is already hard to find anything comfortable, let alone trying to make yourself comfortable in 90 degree weather. He did his best and I did my best to be a good sport through the whole thing because I knew he didn’t want to miss out on his 10th year of Summer Camp.

I believe Ryan deserves to be Summer Camp MVP for 2013 because he worked tremendously hard to make a very pregnant woman have an enjoyable time at a music event we love and support so much.  He could have left me at home and attended by himself, but he didn’t. He did everything in his power that day to ensure we could support our favorite bands together! I would love to repay him this coming year with an awesome time at Summer Camp where he can freely enjoy going from show to show without all of the extra baggage we had to bring along, including the most important baggage of all, our baby! Being parents we don’t have much of an opportunity to get away for events such as Summer Camp anymore. I really want to make this year special for him since he made 2012 so special for me.”

Nominated: Mitch Henson

“Wanted to introduce you to my good man, Mitch Henson.  When I read about the MVP contest, I wasn’t even two sentences in when Mitchell popped into my head.  Summer Camp 2012 was my first and Mitch was essentially my “Summer Camp pioneer.” The man was so well-prepared with all sorts of camping gear, food, drinks… the list goes on. We ended up having more than ten people at our camp but he did an awesome job of providing everyone with the best Camp experience possible.  He got to Three Sisters WEDNESDAY night to make sure all of us had a premium spot.  On top of that, Mitch was also ready to go to any show at any time with anyone.  You didn’t see him around our campsite too often because he knew what Summer Camp was all about: the music.  He refused to let everyone sit around the campsite when they could be experiencing all the fine things that were happening around them. When everyone else was passed out Thursday night, he dragged me along to see Future Rock at Red Barn and that was SO unforgettable! We didn’t take too many photos throughout the weekend, but I found one that pretty much sums things up. Mitch with his sister, Jamie, who works security for the fest.  Also pictured is Chilly Phil, the “totem” who kept us all together (which Mitch made!). Look at them pit stains! Mitch was able to take Summer Camp and make it even more enjoyable than previously imagined… Thanks, Mitch!”

Nominated: Nick Loffredo

“This guy saved me from the dirty Wook that knocked down my tent! Props to him for taking one for the team! Nick Loffredo…..Till next year my friend!”