Toupstown Origin Story
The Beginning 2007
Toupstown began Labor Day weekend of 2007, at Wildhorse Campground, near The Gorge Amphitheater for 3 nights of The Dave Matthews Band. That first year brought together about 40 or so friends who met online via antsmarching.org, many who had never met in person. We arrived in a caravan of rented cars and RVs, some who had driven from San Francisco, Sacramento, and Southern California, and some that flew into Seattle from various states around the U.S., and one from Australia before making the drive to Wildhorse.
The Skybox
Across from where we all camped together is a large lawn area reserved for games and hanging out. That first year a few of us put chairs in the shade under a beautiful willow tree to watch a game of wiffle ball. It felt like we were in a skybox at a baseball game. To this day we still refer to it as the Skybox and still hang out by the willow tree the whole weekend. We bring an inflatable swimming pool and have a great time while waiting for the shows in the evening. The Toupstown logo and banner image is of the Skybox.
The Mayor
Brian Toups coordinated a lot of the logistics for getting the group to Wildhorse and to make sure we were able to camp together in one large group. Somehow, we all arrived around the same time and were able to all camp together. After many thank yous for the coordination efforts, people started calling Brian “The Mayor” of our camp. And since everyone usually calls him “Toups”, the camp became Toupstown.
The Commissioners
Every town and every mayor needs a cabinet of commissioners. Over the next couple of days, the idea of “Toupstown” took on life of its own (encouraged by copious amounts of libations). Gina offered to make some drinks and became known as “Commissioner of Refills.” April made M&M pancakes and was awarded title of “Commissioner of All Things Pancake Related.” This became a thing over the next several years where dozens of titles were awarded.
The Bus Years
Toupstown continued to grow in 2008 and 2009. The original owners of Wildhorse suggested we charter a bus from Seattle instead of renting a bunch of cars and that’s what we did from 2010 through 2018. 50 people on average would fly into SeaTac airport and stay at the Red Roof Inn on Wednesday night (lovingly referred to as night -1). Then Terry the bus driver would pick us up in the morning on Thursday at 10 am. He had a 20-foot enclosed trailer we would load all the camping gear and luggage in. Then he would take us to Fred Meyer in Renton for food, alcohol, and supplies. It was quite humorous to send 50 DMB fans loose in Fred Meyer all at once to go shopping. We would purchase an entertainment license so we could legally drink on the bus in route to Wildhorse. Terry would drop us off and the night 0 shenanigans would begin. He would come back on Monday to pick us up and bring us back to the Red Roof. Eventually it became harder to maintain the number of people needed make it affordable, especially as gas prices continued to rise over the years.
The Costume Parade
Over the years there have been several Night 0 walk abouts around Wildhorse. However, the costume themed parade as we know it today began in 2022 with a circus theme. In 2023 we went with an “anything but clothes” fashion show followed by the parade. For 2024 it was an all-inflatable costume year. By 2025, with the pajama theme, the Night 0 costume parade had become a smashing hit! In 2026 the theme was Christmas and we were joined by about 100 people in Christmas attire and costumes. There was a Christmas tree, a leg lamp and a couple of Ralphie’s, a couple of dicks in a box, and so many great costumes.
The Night Zero Costume Parade
Over the years there have been several Night 0 walk abouts around Wildhorse. However, the costume themed parade as we know it today began in 2022 with a circus theme. In 2023 we went with an “anything but clothes” fashion show followed by the parade. For 2024 it was an all-inflatable costume year. By 2025, with the pajama theme, the Night 0 costume parade had become a smashing hit! In 2026 the theme was Christmas and we were joined by about 100 people in Christmas attire and costumes. There was a Christmas tree, a leg lamp and a couple of Ralphie’s, a couple of dicks in a box, and so many great costumes.
The Toupstown
of Today
Toupstown today isn’t one giant group camp like it used to be back in the day. We have different geographical areas like any town that experiences growth. There’s Toupstown downtown where a small group of campers still communal camp. Some of us have retired to the Toupstown HOA, aka the fence line. More importantly, Toupstown isn’t a place, it’s a friendship of people for close to 20 years.
The Toupstown
20th Anniversary
2027 will be the 20th year of Toupstown! We plan to make it special. Stay tuned for info.