Posted in: Music Festivals by Rod Ferrandino on February 25th, 2009 | 2 Comments
Family fun in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Image via Wikipedia
There is a different kind of music festival out there, a celebration of the arts, visual, musical, and performance, that hearkens back to a time before Woodstock took the world by storm (along with a lot of mud), and, unwittingly, off to a more corporate, bottom-line direction. One fine example of this back-to-the-roots approach is the annual Floydfest, held near, of all places, Floyd, Virginia.
This year, in late July, Floydfest 8 has, as its theme, Revival. and thousands will ascend the winding way to the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains for four days and nights of fun and music. Among this year’s headliners (the festival has numerous stages) are: Blues Traveler, Donna the Buffalo, Toubab Krewe, The Duhks, and the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band.
The music covers a lot of ground, with scheduled performances by such groups as: Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers, Mad Tea Party, and Stop, Drop & Roll. There is a bit of something for most everyone, and the venue is a family-friendly campout for folks who want to spend the entire weekend, as well as for those who only join in for a day or two.
In addition to musical performers, belly dancers, Spiral Hoop Dance, crafts, including cool jewelry and tie-dyes, and lots of great food are all to be had. After-hours dancing will keep nightowls busting moves til the break of day.
Recent additions to the event are more entertainment for children, and to-die-for hot showers. The mellow vibe of this show is a great alternative to outstanding, but more frenetic types of shows like Bonnaroo or Allgood. If you want to take the kids and show them just how cool things were “back in the day”, then Floydfest is a can’t miss opportunity.
As well as more established acts, the promoters (Across-theWay-Productions) are hip to featuring what they call their “Under the Radar Music Series”. Regional favorites, new groups, and some who just haven’t been in the limelight are afforde the opportunity to show their stuff. Crowd pleasers include, but certainly aren’t limited to: The Rogan Brothers, Trees on Fire, and the Kings of Belmont.
Alternative rock, bluegrass, “new” grass, zydeco, folk, and world-beat are all represented, and you just can’t go wrong rockin it on the mountain.
Bullwinkle Muse March 18th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Sounds like a heckuva good time.
hfj March 26th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Tell me the truth Rod, are you the Tourism Director for the great state of Virginia. If not you should be. Good article about just some of the great festivities that take place during the summer months there. Next you’ll be telling me you wrote the Trail of the Lonesome Pine. What, no blusgrass legend Ralph Standly. No bluegrass festival is complete without Ralph Standly. Well done friend.