Small Town Summer Packs the Park for Season Kick Off
The first Small Town Summer event of the season brought the community and some out-of-town visitors together for a fun-filled, free event in the Warren Lineberry Park on June 4th.
Amid ideal summertime weather, featured live music performers Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast and Hoppie Vaughan & The Ministers of Soul entertained the overflow crowd that filled the park and inspired many to dance front of the stage and in the grass.
Dylan Locke, producer of the event, welcomed attendees from the stage and reviewed upcoming bands that will be performing every other Thursday throughout the summer series, including a rock band that’s been featured at Floydfest, a Cajun dance party, an Afro-Cuban Jazz dance party, a Salsa dance party, a Honky-tonk dance party, a Grammy winning bluegrass performer, a Southern Rock band, Handmade Music School performers and the popular local band, The Deer Run Drifters. “We’re going to have a good time to lots of great music,” he said.
Locke outlined activities that were spread throughout the park and noted that Phoenix Hardwoods was the Kid Zone sponsor for this first event.
“We have soccer games, volleyball, bounce houses, free face painting, a live petting zoo and bubbles,” he said, adding that the movie Zootopia 2 would be shown at dusk.
“I want to mention our lead sponsors for this season, and that starts, of course, with the town of Floyd. Let’s put our hands together for the town of Floyd for putting this event on for nine years going,” Locke said.
Other sponsors he credited were Skyline National Bank, Carter Bank, Citizens Telephone Coop, Streamline Timberframe, EdgellBIM, VA Tourism Corporation and the Va Commission for the Arts, along with El Charro, Harvest Moon, Finn Graphics, Floyd Country Store, Cocoa Mia and Floyd Express Market.
Cailtin Krisko, who performed a bluesy set that featured her powerhouse vocals, spoke from the stage about traveling all over the world playing music. “Music is such a beautiful connector. We see the best side of humanity in every town and city,” the Asheville NC based musician told the crowd.
“I commend the town of Floyd. Ya’ll are crushing it here. Give it up for Dylan and the town of Floyd for making this happen,” she continued.
The park was abuzz with activity. Children played, families picnicked and friends socialized. Some watched from the Dogtown Roadhouse porch and the comfort station.
Hoppie Vaughn and The Ministers of Soul played a rousing set of their rhythm and blues dance numbers that included some covers and some originals.
“It’s great to be back in Floyd. The people are so nice,” the Roanoke-based Vaughn said. He called Krisko up to the stage for a celebratory closing number of Lean on Me, which attendees danced and sang along to.
