DERRY TOWNSHIP, DAUPHIN COUNTY -
It's the biggest convention of its type, and its founders live in South Central Pennsylvania. The event's called Swingfest. It's a convention for couples who "swap."
It was created by Jason Jean. He and his wife, Russy, are swingers. They have been swinging for 13 of their 15 years of marriage, but they don't like the label.
"The word swinger just seems old and dirty," Jason says.
"It has kind of a negative connotation to it," Russy adds.
Instead the Jeans call it "The Lifestyle," and the Hershey-area couple is using that lifestyle for swinging business success.
"The lifestyle is in little pockets all over the country," Jason explains. "There was nothing national or international that encompassed the entire lifestyle."
To fill that void, Jean started Swingfest, the biggest swingers party ever. Almost 12,000 people showed up to the inaugural event in Miami last year. They're hoping for a similar turnout this October when the swingers convention returns to South Florida.
The Jeans say Swingfest isn't just about sex. The event brings vendors and swingers together for a convention that's part party, but mostly business and networking.
"Our objective is to educate people," Jason says, adding that he wants to change stereotypes associated with swinging. "We'll get plenty of backlash, and you can't do anything about that," he admits.
Jason and Russy say they've heard all kinds of criticism regarding everything from safe sex to promiscuity.
"This is emotional monogamy," Russy explains. "It doesn't have to be physical monogamy."
"We always practice safe sex," Jason adds. "That's a must."
The two say swinging has improved their marriage and made them more honest and open with one another.
"It's all about honesty. It's about trust, communication," Jason says.
Swingfest isn't the Jeans' only business venture. They're also working on a possible reality TV show.
It was created by Jason Jean. He and his wife, Russy, are swingers. They have been swinging for 13 of their 15 years of marriage, but they don't like the label.
"The word swinger just seems old and dirty," Jason says.
"It has kind of a negative connotation to it," Russy adds.
Instead the Jeans call it "The Lifestyle," and the Hershey-area couple is using that lifestyle for swinging business success.
"The lifestyle is in little pockets all over the country," Jason explains. "There was nothing national or international that encompassed the entire lifestyle."
To fill that void, Jean started Swingfest, the biggest swingers party ever. Almost 12,000 people showed up to the inaugural event in Miami last year. They're hoping for a similar turnout this October when the swingers convention returns to South Florida.
The Jeans say Swingfest isn't just about sex. The event brings vendors and swingers together for a convention that's part party, but mostly business and networking.
"Our objective is to educate people," Jason says, adding that he wants to change stereotypes associated with swinging. "We'll get plenty of backlash, and you can't do anything about that," he admits.
Jason and Russy say they've heard all kinds of criticism regarding everything from safe sex to promiscuity.
"This is emotional monogamy," Russy explains. "It doesn't have to be physical monogamy."
"We always practice safe sex," Jason adds. "That's a must."
The two say swinging has improved their marriage and made them more honest and open with one another.
"It's all about honesty. It's about trust, communication," Jason says.
Swingfest isn't the Jeans' only business venture. They're also working on a possible reality TV show.
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