Held several times before on the Floydfest site near milepost 170.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the lower-key and less costly Floyd Fandango returns this year on June 25, featuring regional bands that appeared in competition at The Phoenix club in Roanoke. There’s also local farm-to-table local food, craft beers, disc golf, other outdoor activities and free overnight camping for those that choose to stay over after a full day of music. Consider it a primer perhaps for the full Floydfest experience that returns July 27-31.
Subtitled “Throwdown Showdown” Floyd Fandango also features mountain bike racing and a 5k trail run. “It’s just a more localized fun time with all of this healthy competition happening at the Floydfest site,” said co-organizer Kris Hodges with Across the Way Productions, the people behind the larger event now in its 15th year.
Hodges and partner Erika Johnson also own The Phoenix in Roanoke. The music is centered on the Hill Holler stage, the second largest venue on the site. In fact the Dreaming Creek main stage will be part of the mountain biking experience, with riders crossing over the stage during their runs.
“It’s a way to focus more on the area locally and bring bands that are more regional – and focus more on the outdoor adventures that we bring to Floydfest [but] as a one day event,” said Hodges. Those who enjoy Fandango may want to consider all or part of Floydfest just a month later.
Tickets are fifteen dollars in advance and twenty at the gate. 12 and under are free. See floydfandango.com or the Facebook page for more details.
Gene Marrano
