After last year’s FloydFest I
didn’t make it a priority to return this year, and I’m not sure why.
Maybe because it’s so close to home
and I had such grand plans of making it to Electric Forest and other faraway
festivals.
Maybe because this year’s lineup
didn’t seem to jive with my usual festival fare.
Maybe because I thought that by the
time it came around my pockets would be empty or I would be saving for
something else.
Or — maybe I just fell and damaged my memory at some
point after FloydFest X and forgot what a great time I had.
Either way, FloydFest XI, with its
theme of Lover’s Rock, reminded just how much I loved being there, and just how
much I love Floyd, Va. Even better, I got to share that love, having the
ultimate joy of taking my boyfriend to his first ever festival.
We arrived Thursday afternoon,
after a most beautiful drive, to the hustle and bustle that is Floydfest. We
parked, loaded up our stuff onto the trailer at the back of one of the Boy
Scout busses that offers safe passage to excited travelers, got on board and
began our journey down the Blue Ridge Parkway into the main festival grounds.
I’d sent our tent in the day before with a friend who was vending to ensure a
good spot in the shade, so, after getting wristbands and a festival guidebook, we
set out to find it. We quickly gave up that mission and went to find her
instead. Once we’d located the tent, we got settled and ready for a weekend of
music and memories, complete with free ice cream from Masterpiece Ice Cream
Company.
I was blessed to receive two free
tickets the week before the festival (Festival tickets make a great gift, in
case you were wondering.), which made the experience that much more precious.
Knowing that I almost hadn’t made it left me with a feeling of deep gratitude
for every memorable moment. Thursday night started things off right:
ArtOfficial warmed the crowd up for a stunning performance by Galactic that had
me leaping and laughing like a dervish. An extended hand drum solo section hit
the rhythm, and the all-too-magnificent Corey Glover hit every note, leaving
the crowd (and me) wanting more.
I spent most of Conspirator’s set
Friday night in a giant wooden chair that gave me a fantastic view of the Hill
Holler crowd and stage. (I saw so many amazing hoopers and beautiful hoops!) A
friend later took a tumble out of a similar chair nearby and got a pretty nasty
welt on his shin, but after a trip to the medical tent in the morning he was
set to enjoy the rest of the festival.
Saturday night was surreal with an
incredibly heartfelt performance by Michael Franti & Spearhead that had me
in tears more than once. His message of love, understanding, and connection
among peoples of all kinds really touched me and reminded me of what the
festival community is meant to be. A meeting place for those with a vision of a
better world free from hate and greed, but full of generosity and happiness for
anyone who wants it. SOJA and Matisyahu also took the stage that night, only
furthering the message.
That atmosphere of love and
generosity permeated the weekend, with an abundance of giddy adults and
children. Bubbles floated on the air, a giant white swan maneuvered through the
crowds, and so many people said “Hello. Glad you’re alive,” with either a smile
or a gift. There’s nothing better than that feeling: the feeling of being
caught up in the magic of it all, feeling that for at least one weekend you can
be a part of that better world you long for.
When I’m at FloydFest I feel at
home. So many familiar faces, so many hugs to give and receive, so many long
lost loves to catch up with. I’m constantly running into friends and friends of
friends; it’s like being at home, only better. The sun rose on Sunday with me
in a state of denial, not wanting to believe that it all had to end. I tried to
convince myself I could stay, but soon the calls of work and responsibility
would have to be answered, and so we packed up the tent and drove away as the
sun set on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Thank you FloydFest, for reminding
me just how special you are and just how beautiful a festival can be. I will
never forget you again.
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| The happy hooper - Photo by Andrea Kleinke |
