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Weekend Picks: 13th Annual FloydFest, Floyd, Virginia, July 23-27

FloydFest Celebrates 13th Year with Revolutionary Line-Up and Streamlined Logistics, July 23-27, Floyd, Va.

Since its inception, FloydFest, the summer outdoor music festival near Floyd, VA, has celebrated its status as a “unique, fiercely independent festival experience that challenges the definition of the typical ‘summer music festival,” according to festival organizers.

For its 13th year, FloydFest is bringing its fans a a jam-packed schedule of music, art, and outdoor adventures and a “Revolutionary 5-day music, outdoors, and healing arts experience that will embrace the beauty of creativity, evolution, and positive change.”

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“From new festival activities, to improved logistics, to a re-vamped artist lineup, we’re continuing to re-invent and revolutionize the summer music festival,” said Kris Hodges, FloydFest’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We believe FloydFest fans will love and appreciate the refreshed approach we’ve taken to the festival this year, giving them an intimate, yet multi-faceted experience.”

The weekend will boast more than 100 performing artists on 10 stages, artisans, specialty craft beverages, Healing Arts Village, panel discussions with activists and headlining artists on sustainable practices, and an extensive Children’s Universe. Festival-goers will find a magical experience in the brand new She-Sha Tent, a Persian-style tent installation featuring healing arts activities ranging from aerial workshops to professional massages, musical performances, and a ‘Revolution-wear’ fashion show.

Numerous outdoor activities will also be available throughout the weekend, including Osprey guided hikes, the Belcher Mountain Beat Down mountain bike tour, the 2nd annual Vasque 5K Trail Race, and float trips down the Little River with On The Water. Trips are limited, so be sure to sign up in advance. Learn more about FloydFest’s outdoor adventures here.

For 2014, new logistical changes include off-site car camping and RV parking located on flat, spacious lots with potable water, showers, and 9 a.m. – 2 a.m. shuttle service (and limited service after 2 a.m.) With the implementation of a new Tent Tag system, all on-site campers are guaranteed a 15×15 camping space and shuttle service with an attached gear trailer. In addition, FloydFest has planned extensively with local farmers, garages and area law enforcement to ensure that attendees will be safe, comfortable and able to access transportation should a severe weather event occur.

The new musical line-up is an impressive melding of R&B, Blues, Reggae, Americana, and more:

Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite ~ Ms. Lauryn Hill ~ Ray LaMontagne ~ Thievery Corporation (Full Band) ~ Ziggy Marley ~ Michael Franti & Spearhead ~ Buddy Guy ~ Robert Randolph & the Family Band ~ JJ Grey & Mofro ~ Lettuce ~Carolina Chocolate Drops ~ Groundation ~Conspirator ~ Donna the Buffalo ~ Rising Appalachia ~ The Duhks ~ Campbell Brothers ~ The Lee Boys ~ HuDost ~ Hackensaw Boys ~ The London Souls ~ Ben Miller Band ~ Jonathon Boogie Long ~The Deadmen ~ Quinn Sullivan ~ 2013 On the Rise Winner: Paper Bird ~ 2013 On the Rise Winner Runner Up: Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands ~ Tauk ~ Dirty Drummer ~ Blue Mule ~ The Floorboards~ Incendio ~ Biz’Cirque ~ Appalachian Flow Arts ~ George Tortorelli-Medicine Wind ~ Jim Beckwith (Hanuman Das)~ Oakes & Smith ~ Adam Ezra Group ~ Allen Thompson Band ~ Ancient Cities ~ Antique Firearms ~ Chris Kasper ~ Cold Chocolate ~ Curtis Eller’s American Circus ~ Deer Run Drifters ~ Driftwood ~ Elonzo ~ Gabe Morales Trio ~ Grandpa’s Cough Medicine ~ Madrone ~ Major and the Monbacks ~ Maria Levitov ~ Michaela Anne ~ Mighty Joshua ~ Oak Creek Band ~ Onward, etc. ~ Proverbial ~ River Whyless ~ Run Boy Run ~ Rusty Maples ~Seth Stainback and Roosterfoot ~ Spoon Fight ~ Super Ape ~ The Dirty Beggars ~ The Get Right Band ~ The Giving Tree Band ~ The New Familiars ~ The Shack Band ~ The Southern Belles ~ Underhill Rose and more!

For 2014, the following logistical changes have been put in place:

Camping
All on- site campers will be given a designated 15×15 camping area with the purchase of a Tent Tag prior to the festival. All RV camping has been moved off the festival site to the nearby Delta lot, while the Bravo lot will be designated for off-site car camping. All car campers will be issued a parking ticket that allots for a 10×10 parking space right next to their vehicle.

Parking

All General Admission parking has been moved off-site to the Alpha lot. The Alpha, Bravo, and Delta lots are all flat, spacious, and easily-accessible to all types of vehicles. To make the check-in process easier, Alpha Lot ticket check-in and parking payment will occur directly at the lot, so be sure to bring cash! Spaces for RV’s at the Delta Lot and Car Camping at the Bravo Lot will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis during the festival, unless sold out via pre-event online sales. Powered RV spots are currently sold-out.

Shuttle Service

Shuttles to and from the festival site and all parking lots will run continuously from 9am until 2am every day. Each individual shuttle will be assigned a truck with an equipment trailer, so campers will never have to be separated from their gear.

Severe Weather Preparedness

Summer weather in the Blue Ridge Mountains is about as predictable as next year’s FloydFest theme, and the festival has taken every possible precaution to ensure that attendees will be safe, comfortable and able to access transportation should a severe weather event occur. FloydFest staff have planned extensively with all local farmers, garages, and area law enforcement regarding severe weather preparedness and evacuation procedures. Harboring fears of an on-site mud pit? Fear no longer – this year’s festival site will feature gravel pathways from the entrance all the way through the main field.

For more information and the full 2014 artist line-up visit www.floydfest.com.

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All photos by Nancy Bell, courtesy FloydFest.
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