Family Time

Give your Blackberry a break and head for the hills!

'The hills are alive with the sounds of music’ has special meaning for the folks of Patrick Co., Virginia. The locals in this majestic, mountain town know this means that the highly anticipated annual FloydFest Music and Arts Festival is in full swing!

Once a year, for the last eight years, people from all across the nation and from all walks of life have gathered together outside of Floyd, Virginia to enjoy four fun-filled days and nights. From July 23 through July 26, over 13,000 people gathered at FloydFest 2009, forgetting the present state of our economy; putting aside their political differences; and getting away for one, last, glorious taste of summer.

And, as always, FloydFest 2009 exceeded expectations, entertaining the masses with 90 live bands on seven, gigantic stages. The headliner band, Blues Traveler, best known for their hit, ‘Run-Around’, the longest charting radio single in Billboard history, played to a packed crown Saturday night, July 25.  The overall sound quality was phenomenal, especially at an outdoor venue, thanks to Stage Sound Production Services.

Because FloydFest prides itself on maintaining a healthy, family atmosphere, people ages 7 to 70 could be seen dancing in front of the stages, first under the afternoon sun, and then into the evening, under a clear, starry sky. And, much to everyone’s delight, the mountain was still rockin’ every day till after 2am!

In addition to non-stop live music stationed throughout the 80 acres of festival grounds, the crowds enjoyed 123 vendors, all offering unique creations. Visitors enjoyed the work of sculptors, potters, handmade jewelry, photographers, organic apparel, hand-blown glass, handcrafted leather goods, natural bath and body products, and much more. Countless food vendors offered delicious treats like brick-oven pizza, cooked to order; refreshing fruit spritzers; sweet potato fries; BBQ plates; and even fresh, vegetarian dishes. FloydFest also offered a Beer and Wine Garden where people can enjoy a cold beer or a glass of wine from one of the local wineries while listening to a live band in the shaded garden area.

FloydFest is organized each year by Erika Johnson and Kris Hodges and is held on vast acreage owned by Tom and Dona Pickett. Through their collaborative efforts, the festival has grown each year, seeing it’s largest attendance in 2009. With a support staff of 250 people, the organizers have tried to accommodate the needs of everyone. While there is on-site parking, the festival also provides for parking on 110 additional acres and operates a shuttle service from the parking areas to the front gates of FloydFest.

In order to soak-in every minute of the unique festival, many people choose to camp on-site during the event. Special attention has been paid to the camping areas, which are clearly marked with designated trails. Campers this year even found propane refills on-site, showers, and sanitation stations placed throughout the campsite areas. RV parking is also available, though space is limited. And, for those campers who prefer to ‘travel light,’ ready-made campsites, complete with pitched tents, are even available for an extra fee.

A father himself, the property owner, Tom Pickett, said, “I wanted a festival that I could bring my own daughter to!” And it’s obvious that FloydFest attracts plenty of families by offering an entire ‘Children’s Universe’, a special area catering to families and children ages 2-14. Children are treated to jugglers; face-painting; stilts-walkers; an exotic petting zoo; camel rides; interactive story times; art workshops; a rock climbing wall; The Blue Fairy; Queen Tatianic of the Faeries; and live music on yet another stage. On-site childcare is provided for kids, ages 2-10, with a three-hour minimum, allowing Mom and Dad some one-on-one time at the festival too!

Strolling through the lush mountainside, surrounded by towering trees, it’s difficult not to get caught-up in the spirit of nature’s bounty. In addition to rejuvenating the soul with music, FloydFest even offers yoga; tai chai; massage; aromatherapy and healing herbs to also rejuvenate the body.

The rejuvenation and relaxation couldn’t even be dampened by the summer shower that crept over the festival late Saturday afternoon. A crowd favorite, Donna the Buffalo, played-on from the massive Dreaming Creek Stage as the rain fell. Music lovers, both young and old, never missed a beat, as they simply donned ponchos and rain jackets and continued dancing in the rain. And, minutes later, as if scripted from a movie, the rain stopped, and a huge, perfect rainbow appeared over the festival, obviously a gift from Mother Nature to the thousands who had come to share in the music, the friendship and the warm spirit of FloydFest 2009.

Don’t miss FloydFest 2010! For more information: floydfest.com

Mary E. Davis is the author of THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MOM: Managing for Success in Your Home and Your Business. With over sixteen years experience as an entrepreneur and a mother, Mary has written this book to guide and teach women the life-balance skills necessary to become successful in both entrepreneurship and motherhood, in today's fast-paced world. A Florida native, Mary currently lives in Cocoa, Florida with her husband of over 20 years and their two teenaged children.

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