Draft:Last Bacates

Last Bacates

The Last Bacates is a neighborhood group that originated in the Middleridge area around 2022. The group has its roots in a smaller gang of kids called the Middleridge Cakes, who were known for engaging in mischievous activities like ding-dong ditching and digging tunnels. Over time, this playful group grew into a more organized community, evolving through a phase called the All Day Bacates, and eventually transforming into the Last Bacates. Their history is marked by unique pranks, underground tunnels, and even the creation of their own music genre, Caking. While their activities stirred up controversy, the group also had some positive impacts on their community, such as standing up to neighborhood "Karens."

Middleridge Neighborhood

Middleridge is a suburban neighborhood in Fairfax Station, Virginia, located near Washington, D.C. Known for its middle-class charm, Middleridge is home to 578 residences and features a 9-acre park that serves as a gathering spot for the community. The neighborhood is a quiet, family-oriented area, but it gained local attention due to the activities of the Last Bacates and their predecessors. Most of their antics took place in Middleridge Park, as well as in the nearby areas of Keys Court and Upper Stanhope Pl, where the group carried out many of their pranks and underground tunnel projects.

History

Middleridge Cakes (2022-2023)

The group began as the Middleridge Cakes in 2022, made up of mostly pre-teens. At this early stage, the group’s main focus was on harmless but mischievous pranks. Their favorite activities included ding-dong ditching — ringing doorbells and running away — as well as digging small tunnels and holes around the neighborhood. Middleridge Park became their unofficial headquarters, where they spent countless hours creating hidden pathways and secret meeting spots. While these pranks were relatively innocent, the Middleridge Cakes quickly gained a reputation in the local area, with many neighbors frustrated by their antics.

Their tunnel digging began as a small hobby, but as the kids became more skilled, their creations grew larger and more complex. They often boasted about their underground "hideouts" to other kids in the neighborhood, and the tunnels became a key feature of their early activities.

All Day Bacates (2023-2024)

By mid-2023, the group had expanded both in numbers and ambition. Rebranding themselves as the All Day Bacates, they became more organized and strategic in their actions. While they continued their tunnel-digging efforts, their focus shifted towards creating a more structured "operation." This phase marked the start of more elaborate planning, including the infamous Middleridge Muffins "scam."

The Middleridge Muffins was a clever, albeit questionable, business scheme where the group sold low-quality muffins to neighbors. While the muffins were actually baked and delivered, they were often of such poor quality that many saw the effort as a scam. Despite this, the group managed to make a small profit from the endeavor, furthering their reputation as creative (if not entirely ethical) mischief-makers.

During this period, the group also made significant progress on their tunnel system in Middleridge Park. The tunnels expanded into a network with multiple rooms and hidden chambers. These underground spaces served as their primary hangout spots, where they held meetings, made plans, and even stored supplies for their pranks.

The All Day Bacates became known not only for their tricks but also for their more altruistic efforts. They organized initiatives to stand up to "Karens" — a term they used for local adults who frequently complained about children playing in the streets or parks. Their stance against these neighborhood figures earned them a mixed reputation: while some saw them as troublemakers, others appreciated their efforts to defend the rights of kids in the area.

Unfortunately, by early 2024, the tunnel system began to collapse due to flooding and structural weaknesses, and the All Day Bacates faced a decline. The flooding not only destroyed their hideouts but also symbolized the end of their half-year reign of creativity and chaos.

Last Bacates (2024 - Present)

After the fall of the All Day Bacates, a few remaining members regrouped and formed the Last Bacates. This phase of the group is more secretive and strategic than ever before. With their numbers slightly reduced but more focused, the Last Bacates have made efforts to continue the legacy of the previous group while keeping a lower profile.

One of their key strategies involves using tunnels and sewer systems as part of their plans. These underground pathways are seen as vital escape routes and secret meeting spots. Despite being more cautious in their approach, the group continues to engage in low-level pranks and mischievous activities, though they’ve learned from the mistakes of the past.

A significant number of the original members have moved on, but a handful of them remain, serving as leaders and mentors to the newer recruits. These older members have kept the spirit of the All Day Bacates alive, although the group’s activities have become less visible to the general public. Today, the Last Bacates exist more as a tight-knit group, working quietly on their projects without drawing as much attention as they once did.

Caking Music and Cultural Influence

One of the more unique contributions of the All Day Bacates era was the creation of a new music genre called Caking. This style of music is a form of rap, characterized by moderate tempos between 90 and 120 beats per minute, and focuses on lyrics that reflect the group's culture. Themes such as "bacations," "lard," and "bakers" feature heavily in the songs, often poking fun at everyday life or referencing the group's inside jokes.

The genre found its identity with the release of an album called Doghis Cake, produced by one of the group’s leaders, who went by the name doghisbacate. The album quickly became popular among neighborhood kids, who found the rebellious, fun lyrics relatable and cool. The songs became neighborhood chants, with kids shouting them out as they played, further spreading the group's influence.

While Caking never grew beyond the local level, it had a significant impact on the Middleridge area. The album Doghis Cake solidified the group's cultural presence, making them a topic of conversation not only among kids but also among concerned parents and neighbors.

Mischief in Middleridge Park: De-Terraforming

Much of the All Day Bacates' activities centered around Middleridge Park, where they engaged in what they called "de-terraforming." This involved altering the landscape to suit their needs or simply to disrupt the routines of others. One of their favorite tactics was digging sinkholes and creating traps to surprise unsuspecting people. These traps were often strategically placed to catch rivals or to discourage certain groups from using the park's facilities.

The group was particularly fond of digging ditches on bike paths. These ditches were meant to slow down or stop their "enemies," which mostly included other kids who they saw as rivals. The alterations they made to the park caused some concern among the local community, as their traps and ditches were often difficult to spot, leading to potential hazards for bikers and pedestrians.

Though their "de-terraforming" caused trouble for some, the group saw it as part of their strategy to take control of the park and defend it from outsiders. The park became a battleground of sorts, with the All Day Bacates using it as their home turf to plan, hide, and execute their pranks.

Legacy and Impact

While the Last Bacates may no longer be as active or visible as they once were, their influence on the neighborhood is still felt. From their underground tunnels to their creation of Caking music, the group left a lasting mark on the Middleridge area. Their efforts to stand up against the "Karens" of the neighborhood and their rebellious spirit have become a part of local lore, with younger generations of kids looking up to them as neighborhood legends.

Despite their questionable tactics and mischievous nature, the Last Bacates are remembered for their creativity, resilience, and the unique culture they built in their corner of the world.