Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on July 14, 2017 with a larger spread of pictures.

Floyd Fandango has been called “Floydfest’s little sister,” “Floydfest’s love child,” and, more commonly, a “Showdown Throwdown.”

The grassroots mini-festival, which took place at the Floydfest site (milepost 170.5) June 23 – 25, is a chance for Floydfest founders to showcase On-the-Rise bands that have won patron-voted Battle of the Bands contests at The Phoenix, their club in Roanoke.

The bands will go on to compete at Floydfest 17, July 26 – 30, for a full prize package and a gig playing on the main stage at Floydfest 18.

Under sunny skies, this year’s warm-up to Floydfest debuted festival co-founder Kris Hodges’ taco truck, OXXO TACO.

Floyd’s Dogtown Roadhouse served woodfired pizza, and Farm-to-Table ingredients for a special meal in the Pink Floyd Beer and Wine Garden were provided primarily by Floyd’s Riverstone Organic Farm.

Local craft beer, wine and cider tasting is a popular part of the event, which costs $20 at the gate and offers free camping.

Fandango also features outdoor adventures and local residents figured in, winning and placing in the 5K Trail Race and a Mountain X Cross Bike Race.

Floyd High School student Cyrus Walker (center) won King of the Mountain for participating in both races, and Floydfest co-founder Erika Johnson (below) won first place in the woman’s 5K race and 4^th place overall.

____Our World Tuesday