The gates opened at noon, giving attendees time to browse a variety of vendors, including Dixxon Flannel and Pickle Stix Surfboards, before bands took to the two stages present.

Community outreach organizations such as the nonprofit Punk Rock Saves Lives were also in attendance.

The outreach group, founded in 2019, focuses on topics such as health inequality and equal rights. According to their website, they offer a wide range of services, including mental health and harm reduction services, as well as connecting potential bone marrow donors with patients in need.

“We're a non-profit that tours with bands and festivals, encouraging punks to do good things. So we’re key on wellness and equality initiatives,” founder Rob Rushing said. “We do bone marrow registry at concerts to save lives from cancer. It's a simple form and a cheek swab.”

Punk Rock Saves Lives has previously partnered with Brew Ha Ha Productions, the organizers of Punk in the Park, including during  NOFX’s final tour. The group frequently does outreach events at concerts and festivals, aiming to use the power of connection through music to make a difference.

“I found so many bands that literally made me not only question what's going on in the world, but how can I change it, how can I help, and that's the basis of what we are today,” Rushing said on the punk scene.

In addition to the many vendors, the festival also offered a craft beer tasting for those 21 and older, providing a diverse selection of both local and regional breweries from 12 to 3 p.m.

The first act of the day, local hardcore band Bite the Hand, came on stage at 1 p.m. Combining genres such as grunge, punk, and emo, the group kicked off the festival to a modest yet eager audience. Next, Los Angeles rockers The Last Gang took to the stage with a half-hour set, followed by performances by The Implants and Slaughterhouse. A decent amount of moshing ensued, but the blistering sun and lack of shade discouraged lengthy pit action until later in the evening.

Philadelphia’s Catbite supplied the crowd with a ska-filled set as they took to the main stage at 3:30 p.m., giving punks a chance to mellow out a bit. Known for their past controversial performances, notorious band Dwarves followed. Ripping up the stage with their intense energy, the group successfully reenergized and prepped the crowd for the Casualties.

Clad in leather and donning brightly colored mohawks, The Casualties brought the heat to an already sweltering crowd, performing songs, including “Punk Rock Love” and “Get off My Back.” The politically charged set echoed calls for equal rights and protection of immigrants, acting as both a performance and a protest.

Manic Hispanic kept the energy going with clever covers of famous punk rock songs. The band’s stage presence and crowd interaction were above and beyond, with frontman Louie Perez III stage-diving and crowdsurfing numerous times. The Chicano comedy act had fans singing along and laughing to their clever re-writes for their entire half-hour set.

“I’m having a ball, honest to god,” said Malcolm Cordray, a first-year attendee of the festival. “This is so much fun. I’ve seen like 40 bands and only been here for like four hours.”

By now, the venue had filled up considerably. Strung Out and Guttermouth drew substantial crowds as eager fans continued arriving at the festival grounds.

At 7 p.m., Orange County skate punks the Adolescents stormed the stage. Thankfully, by this time, the sun had finally started to set, and attendees were out of direct sunlight. The group performed classics, including “Kids of the Black Hole,” “L.A. Girl,” and “Amoeba,” delivering a blazing performance. Moshers quickly opened up a rowdy circle pit that wasn’t broken up until after the band’s last song.

Tensions were building as Pennywise began their soundcheck, with chants and cheers filling the air with each guitar string that was tuned. Finally, the band ventured out onto the stage and launched headfirst into their set. Blasting through hits, including “Same Old Story,” Pennywise quickly riled up the crowd.

During the set, the pit erupted into a swirling mess of moshers’ elbows and fists. The band finished off their set in its traditional way, performing “Bro Hymn” on a stage packed with their entourage.

After hours of anticipation in the hot sun, the moment that so many punks had waited and sweated for was here. The applause that rang out as Bad Religion stepped onstage was deafening. The band immediately kicked off with fast-paced “Recipe For Hate,” sending fans into a frenzy. The remaining setlist included hits and fan favorites, such as “No Control,” “New Dark Ages,” and “Struck A Nerve.”

The mosh pit was vigorously rough throughout the hour-and-a-half-long set, a combination of a push pit and a circle pit. Crowdsurfers effortlessly made their way over the sprawling crowd and pit towards the stage, with security guards braced and ready.

Bad Religion closed the night with “American Jesus,” ending a day of punk rock performances on a strong note. Though visibly exhausted and sunburnt, much of the crowd remained engaged and enthusiastic, pumping their fists and singing along to the last lyric.