MANSFIELD — Ronnie Beaird nearly lost his life at last year’s Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival at the historic Ohio State Reformatory.
Beaird and his wife, Christy, traveled about two hours from their home in Cadiz last year to attend the three-day festival for the first time.
Around 5 p.m. on opening day of last year’s event, Ronnie began to “not feel right.”
Upon visiting the medical tent, he was taken to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital — where it was determined Ronnie had suffered a heart attack.
He and Christy remained at the Mansfield hospital for the entire weekend, causing them to completely miss what was supposed to be their first Inkcarceration experience.
On Friday, the couple returned to the Ohio State Reformatory grounds for the first time since last year’s health scare.
“It’s surreal. Being here this weekend means a lot,” Ronnie said, fighting tears.
“We got VIP (passes) this year,” he said. “We came back on a vengeance.”
Inkcarceration offers getaway from day-to-day life
Considering last year’s events, this year’s festival is the first time Ronnie and Christy can experience everything it offers.
The couple are music lovers, Christy said, with metal standing out as one of their go-to genres.
Three days of nearly nonstop music also gives the couple a chance to get away from life’s day-to-day routine.
When Ronnie suffered his heart attack, it happened to fall on the couple’s 11th wedding anniversary. They celebrated their 12th anniversary this year on July 14.
Ronnie said he’s looking forward to hearing performances from Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, The Offspring and Shinedown.
If you’re going to the festival, a full lineup of performers can be found online. You can also download the event’s app, where you can keep track of band’s sets and times.
‘You can be you’
The social element is another aspect of the music and tattoo festival the Beairds enjoy.
An estimated 75,000 attendees make their way to Inkcarceration during the three-day party in Mansfield.
“It’s anything goes,” Christy said. “You can be you (at the festival). It’s whatever you’re comfortable with.
“For one weekend, it’s not your real life. You completely step out, you meet people and see things you would never see, some good and some bad, but it’s whatever you’re comfortable with,” she said.
Ronnie encourages festival attendees to “trust their instinct” when it comes to their health and how they’re feeling throughout the day.
Christy suggested bringing sunscreen and water to anyone who plans to venture out to the Ohio State Reformatory this weekend.
Saturday’s forecast shows a high of 83 degrees and Sunday will reach a high of 84 degrees, according to the National Weather Service — both days under sunny skies.
“Have a good time (at the festival), but take care of yourself,” Christy said.
Click here for a full guide to Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival 2024.