In a testament to resilience and passion, Christine Coleman and Peter Perales, both in their mid-40s, have turned their love for nomadic camping and van-centric music events into a vibrant celebration of culture and music in Astoria, Oregon. The couple, who work in apparel design and construction respectively, have organized the Rigs and Reggae event, which took place at Pier 39 from August 27 to 30. This isn't just another festival; it's a story of how love, determination, and a deep appreciation for life's simple pleasures brought this event to life.
For over a decade, Coleman and Perales have been attending numerous concerts and festivals, with Coleman estimating they've been to over 100. Their journey from enthusiastic attendees to organizers began with a profound personal challenge. Perales, diagnosed with a brain tumor early in the pandemic, faced a harrowing battle with illness and recovery. It was during this difficult time that their love for van life and music became a driving force.
"After Perales began feeling ill, we were enjoying our hobby—car camping and attending events—when he started feeling real sick," Coleman recounted. "We didn't know what was wrong, so I was staying in the hospital, trying to distract myself. I told myself if we made it out of this, I'm going to buy a van."
Perales' determination to overcome his illness was matched by his commitment to living life to the fullest. After surviving the tumor and years of recovery, they decided to buy a "Storyteller," an adventure and camper van, and began attending van events with their two mini Australian shepherds, Max and Maisie.
Their passion for van life took a more significant turn when Perales faced another challenge: a second brain tumor. The couple, undeterred by the setback, decided to postpone the Rigs and Reggae event planned for Toledo, Oregon, to allow Perales to recover.
The unexpected opportunity to host the event at Pier 39 in Astoria presented itself during one of Perales' check-ups. "We went to an Adventure Van Expo, and the owners of Pier 39 saw us there. They said we'd love to have the event in Astoria," Coleman explained. With only 30 days to prepare, the couple's vision of a music and van culture celebration came to life.
The event, which brought together van enthusiasts, campers, and reggae music lovers, was a blend of adventure and community. "We were going to take a year off because of my surgery, but I felt recovered," Perales said. "We were like, sure, we're ready. So we had 30 days to put this together."
Despite the challenges, Perales is grateful for the event and his recovery. "I've already had one craniotomy, so when they found the second tumor, I was like, let's just go in there and get it out. And it was good because my doctor said it was small enough and had not attached to brain tissue yet, so it was amazing. I'm so glad to be here now."
The Rigs and Reggae event isn't just about music and camping; it's about the appreciation for life's smaller pleasures. "I just have such a more appreciation for the smaller things now," Perales said. "You know what I mean?"
As the event concluded, it was clear that the spirit of the couple's journey was contagious. The Astoria community, the van enthusiasts, and the reggae music lovers had all been touched by the story of Christine and Peter's resilience and love for life. The Rigs and Reggae event is more than just an event; it's a celebration of the human spirit and the power of community.
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