FloydFest!
My love affair with music festivals started at FloydFest 10 years ago with a one day ticket I was given as a birthday present. It only took spending one day there to know I had found something special. I was pretty mind blown to think that I could spend a whole weekend, now most of a week, living the festival life. I hope this article helps you get the most out of your FloydFest experience. If it’s your first time at Floyd I hope you have a mind-blowing experience! 
Camping:
If you are at a festival for several days sleep might not be a priority, but there is definitely camping that will allow you to get more rest during your downtime. Premium Woodsy is the way to go for this. You might need a pair of earplugs but you’ll have the coolest, flattest camping available on site. Outside of that, finding level areas is a challenge if you don’t get there very early. Try checking down along the tree line and you just might get a semi-level shady area. I can’t say enough to recommend Delta Lot. Yes, it is offsite camping but its level, it’s shady, it has its own showers, Mike and Tonya are great hosts and the shuttles get you back and forth quickly. It’s just the best!
Getting to your site- Ten years ago you could drive on-site to unload your base camp and drive to onsite or offsite parking. As the festival has grown they have had to adjust the flow of traffic but they have a great system of tractors and trailers that can haul you and all your stuff from onsite drop off to the camping areas. Where ever you end up camping get there as early as possible for best site selection and to meet your neighbors.
What to check out in the festival:
There is sooo much going on here. You will be surrounded by great music but if you want to sit down and chill with a cold drink go to the Pink Floyd Garden stage- a nice shady area serving cold drinks, hot tunes, and crunchy pickles. This stage has a consistent line up of the best local, regional and national bands.
A recent addition to the festival has been the Deschutes Libations tent. This area has a small stage set up for small acts during sound check and breaks on the nearby main stage. If you find yourself wandering around in the middle of the night then make your way to this stage. Some of the most creative energetic music is played here in the wee hours of the morning. I’m still hoping to see The Screaming J’s again after randomly catching them here two years ago. Last year it was the cow skull helmet wearing one-man band Vurro. I can’t wait to see who pops up here this year.
Your festival weekend would not be complete without a midday nap. You could have a neck breaking nap in your lawn chair or you could let a cool breeze rock you to sleep in the Eno Hammock Village. Since you have to walk down the hill anyways to get to the hammocks make sure you check out the outdoor adventure area for disc golf, mountain biking, and trail hikes, then head over to the VW bus camping area and look for FestyWesty and come say “hi”.
If you get bored please make your way to the EMT tent and have them check your pulse.
Kids activities:
No matter what age your kids are there is plenty for them to do. Toddler to elementary age kids will be well occupied and entertained in the Children’s Universe. Tons of crafty activities, kid-centric music, a huge dress-up costume room a playground and lots of supervision. You can take advantage of pay-by-the-hour childcare if you want to leave your young ones behind while you catch a main act.
For teenagers, FloydFest is switching it up this year. Here is a description from the facebook page: “The Teen Scene is going mobile for FloydFest 18~Wild (July 25-29, 2018)! Rather than hosting workshops and the teen chill-zone down in The Village, we are engaging teens as foaming agents to experience and contribute to programming across the entire festival. This year we are inviting teens to explore, to discover — and then document — parts of the festival that they may not be aware of. We hope teens will participate in more of the festival offerings — especially via Outdoor Adventure — and then document their experiences on social media platforms. We will reward them for their posts with opportunities to earn/win food vouchers and festival merchandise. It’s almost like a social-media scavenger hunt through the festival and its offerings.” More information at FloydFest Teen Scene.
You will find the FloydFest puts an emphasis on making their festival experience one that the entire family will enjoy. We have taken our kids at all different ages. This year we are bringing three teenagers and a 6-year-old and we are confident they will have an awesome, safe, memorable weekend.
Tips and tricks:
The festival is located in the Virginia mountains directly off the blue ridge parkway, whatever direction you are coming from the drive will be beautiful so plan some time to enjoy that.
You ARE in the mountains so the weather can vary from hot and sunny to cold and rainy, plan for all of it.
Bring a wagon, especially if you have kids! Everyone will be happier.
Bring mud boots and, even if you don’t use them, ask a Floyd veteran about mud fest 2013, then you’ll be glad you had them just in case.
It’s not too late to volunteer and that will be a wonderful experience for you. Volunteer Information
Stay hydrated!
Join the FestyWesty FloydFest Birthday Bash and the FestyWesty Pancake Breakfast.
Have a wild weekend!
