Loose Leaf Notes

~ The following appeared in the August 1st issue of The Floyd Press

At the close of Floydfest on Sunday, festival MC announced from the main stage that the festival would be extended, with music acts performing at various stages until 11:00 p.m. and food booths staying open past the traditional 6 p.m. closing.  Under sunny skies and after Saturday’s heavy rain left mud throughout the site and parking lots, he announced that the festival would be footing the bill for tow trucks that were standing by to assist anyone whose vehicle was stuck.  After encouraging campers to stay the extra night, he introduced festival founders Kris Hodges and Erika Johnson to the stage.

As crew members broke down the stage from Old Crow Medicine Show’s finale performance, Johnson addressed the crowd first.  She choked up as she thanked her team for their hard work and thanked festival goers for their positivity.  “If there is one thing that can trump Mother Nature, it is positive energy, and you all have that in spades. Thank you so much for bringing that positivity to the party.”

Hodges commented about what a wild year it’s been. He spoke about the recent death of the festival’s artist relations director, Rio Semione, and brought the new director, Kellee Barbour, center stage, saying she had “big shoes to fill” and that artists’ feedback has been “singing praises” to the good job she’s done.

Hodges called other Floydfest staffers on stage to acknowledge their efforts and closed by shouting to a cheering crowd, “I believe in you.  You believe in us and we believe in this. We believe in love … As long as I’m breathing and with your help I’ll make sure this festival has that love.”

~ Read more about Floydfest 12 below and HERE.