The 2023 edition of FloydFest has been cast in uncertainty due to permitting complications at its new home in Check, VA, per a Wednesday morning post by the long-running Virginia festival.
After an extended stint at Blue Cow Arts Pavilion in Floyd, VA, organizers of the annual festival, founded in 2002, have been developing a new site for the event. The new Check, VA venue, dubbed FestivalPark, was due to make its debut at the “Forever”-themed FloydFest 2023 from July 26th–30th and serve as the festival’s “forever home.”
As FloydFest chief operating officer Sam Calhoun noted when the 2023 edition of the festival was initially announced, “Our endgame has always been to become the gold-standard example of a ‘boutique’ festival, and now, with a new home, and with the stated goal to park and camp each-and-every patron on one site — eradicating the need for offsite lots and offsite shuttles — our dream is manifesting into reality. We are grateful, we are energized, we are inspired — and we’re doing this for our patrons.”
According to Wednesday’s announcement, however, “forever” may have to wait: “Due to final permitting and logistical factors beyond our control, the new FloydFest site, FestivalPark, is not currently viable for a 2023 festival, and we are currently exploring all options,” a post on the event’s website said. “We will be back with more information on April 6.”
The update indicated that a 2024 FloydFest at the new venue is set in stone, but left the fate of the 2023 event up in the air as organizers weigh alternate plans. “Make zero mistake — FloydFest and its future are strong, and this we do know: We will see each of you, our FloydFest Family, in July 2024, as we christen your new home, FestivalPark,” the message continued.
As it stands, the scheduled 2023 FloydFest lineup features a broad mix of high-profile performers including The Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket, Sheryl Crow, Goose, Elle King, Ripe, Leftover Salmon, Maggie Rose, The Hip Abduction, Circles Around The Sun, Eggy, Neighbor, Sexbruise?, Little Stranger, and more.
Click below to read the full message from FloydFest organizers about the new venue and the uncertain fate of the 2023 event. Stay tuned for further updates on Thursday, April 6th.
Very few ‘independent’ music festivals exist these days. Our patrons, our memories, this ‘music, magic and mountains,’ this community, our collective anticipation for future FloydFests, are what keep each of us going, and we don’t take that lightly.
We are risk-takers by nature and trade. We don’t settle for status quo, because each of us deserves this annual gathering filled with love, magic, surprise, release and recharge. So, we balance pushing the boundaries of imagination and creativity with sustaining this annual gift we all give to each other: FloydFest.