THE FEST is an independent multiple-day, multiple-venue underground music festival held annually in Gainesville, FL with support from the fine folks from VISIT GAINESVILLE, ALACHUA COUNTY. Established in 2002 with only 60 bands, four stages, and two days, THE FEST has experienced a massive growth rate, now finding the festival outgrowing the amazing city it was birthed in. In 2013, THE FEST celebrated 12 years and expanded to four days in Gainesville, FL and added two days for the first annual BIG PRE-FEST IN LITTLE YBOR in the historic Ybor City, FL (TAMPA). FEST 12 hosted 400 bands in four days while BIG PRE-FEST gave 100 of those bands and close to 1,000 attendees another two days to enjoy the party in a new city.