FloydFest 2013 – Rise & Shine! FloydFest, the festival that has helped introduce music and outdoor aficionados to our charming area, is emerging into its 12th year and on track to be one of the best ever. Themed “Rise & Shine,” FloydFest will continue to live up to its moniker of ‘Shangri-La of the East’ with a stellar multi-genre line-up, plethora of fun outdoor activities, and unique offerings sure to satisfy every member of the family. Far more than a music festival, FloydFest offers patrons not only a harmonious experience in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, but four days of funfilled activities the beautiful area has to offer. Located at milepost 170.5 off the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway, festival attendees can recharge and celebrate music, outdoors, art, and life in an intimate environment. FloydFest hosts over 100 performing artists on 10 stages, with over 100 artisans, specialty craft beverages, a Healing Arts Village and Children’s Universe with an extensive children’s area. Kids can experience a TaekwonDo class, tetherball match, or debut an act during the kids’ Open Mic, and parents don’t have to miss out on their favorite set on the Dreaming Creek Main Stage! Festival goers can enjoy an intimate performance on the rustic and Appalachian-influenced Virginia Folklife Workshop Porch. Afterwards, they can attend a nearby panel discussion on sustainable practices that engage the audience and includes renowned speakers and activists, headlining artists, and festival promoters. Find the time to rejuvenate and relax by joining in a belly dance or hula dance workshop, take a nap in an ENO hammock at the hammock lounge, or experience an invigorating massage. Possibilities for festival bliss are endless! www.enonation.com As a way to connect further to the beautiful landscape, FloydFest offers hiking and biking trails, a 5k run, mountain bike race, a 9 hole disc golf course, a geo-cache scavenger hunt and much more.
To maximize your outdoorsy spirit, check out these activities this year: Belcher Mountain Beat Down – Through a partnership with Pembroke, VA-based Tangent Outdoors and the Moonstompers Bike Club, FloydFest is offering the Belcher Mountain Beat Down, a guided mountain bike tour that descends the Blue Ridge and finishes with miles of hand-built single-track trail. The 16-mile route includes 1700’ elevation gain and 3500’ of descending. www.newrivertrail.com
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Float Trip & Shuttle – Working with local canoe outpost, On the Water, there are five opportunities to escape to the water for a few hours of paddling down a gorgeous, undeveloped stretch of the Little River. Trips are limited, so be sure to sign up in advance. www.onthewaterinfloyd.com FloydFest 12 Ultimate Gear Giveaway Challenge – Stop by the Outdoor Adventures tent for daily giveaways and a score card where you can track your Outdoor adventures, racking up points for a chance at being our outdoor gear grand prize winner. There’s a special geocache stashed somewhere on the premises, so bring your GPS for extra credit points toward winning gear. Floyd Running Club 5K – Push yourself at the FloydFest 12~Rise & Shine 5K race. Sign up anytime over the weekend and meet at the OA tent at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday. Special prize for best costume! New additions to this year’s FloydFest include the Flower of Life Yoga and DJ Xperience. This one-of-a-kind installation will feature morning Yoga sessions with some of the world’s leading DJs to provide an exquisite soundscape to Rise & Shine each day. The space also provides shade and workshop areas to liven up the spirit. After dark, this space transforms into a supernaturally lit performance area. The music will be provided via wireless headphones by cutting edge electronic DJ specialists by way of a ‘Silent Disco powered by Silent Events.’ The artist line-up includes: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros ~ The Lumineers ~ Old Crow Medicine Show ~John Butler Trio ~ Brandi Carlile ~ Gogol Bordello ~ Citizen Cope ~ Yonder Mountain String Band ~ Trampled by Turtles ~ Railroad Earth ~ The Infamous Stringdusters ~ Hot Tuna ~ Blitzen Trapper ~ Michael Kiwanuka ~ North Mississippi Allstars ~ Donavon Frankenreiter ~ The Devil Makes Three ~ Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit ~ Bombino ~ The Hackensaw Boys ~ Delta Rae ~ Ben Sollee ~ Lake Street Dive ~ The Last Bison ~ Rising Appalachia ~ GAUDI ~ Gigamesh ~ Nahko and Medicine for the People ~ Yarn ~ Baaba Seth ~ Field Report ~ Bronze Radio Return ~ Megan Jean and the KFB ~ Lizzy Ross Band ~ Larry and His Flask ~ Spirit Family Reunion ~ L Shape Lot ~ Yancarlos Sanchez ~ Primate Fiasco and more!
Photo by: Roger Gupta
For more information please visit www.FloydFest.com or call 1-888-VA-FESTS!
Spring/Summer 2013