The stories of the Park Rangers and the C.I.T. are alarming. Things are changing fast in this country. Driving up I-77 from the Charlotte, NC area I passed through Mt. Airy (the basis for the town of Mayberry of the Andy Griffith show). Reading about the Park Rangers and C.I.T. I am reminded of the arguments Andy and Barney Fife used to get into about how to treat people. How the law is the law but it is there to protect people and not harass them. Barney regularly overstepped his boundaries and went after the common citizen for minor transgressions. In the show it was supposed to be his character flaw and it was supposed to be funny anyone would take the law that far.

It’s not funny now. This is no T.V. show we are living in and the festival I went to was to get away from the real life for a while. I wanted to escape from the bad news and the long hours of work I put in every week. Why are we as voting, tax paying citizens putting up with our local governments hiring and training a bunch of Barney Fifes to patrol our lives? It is EVERYWHERE and getting worse. This is not limited to Floyd and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Second, I had read on the official website that parking was a 5 minute shuttle from the festival grounds. I thought wow, that’s going to be a little aggravating seeing how my bed is in the covered bed of my truck. I then read that parking was a suggested donation of $10. I thought well, if I have money after the festival I’ll and the cause is worthy I’ll gladly donate $10 or more or less for the charity.

I pulled into the grounds after sitting in stopped traffic for an hour on I-77 because of an accident. I was late for Sam Bush and had just been on the parkway for 30 miles. “$10″ says the person at the entrance. “Um, yeah.” I said. “Suggested donation, right.” “No. $10 to park,” she convinced me. An officer was there and I said “Sir?” and he said “It’s $10 and not optional if you want to park.”

You know. I found out later it was a good cause. I’m glad they got my money, but you know? Suggested Donation should be just that.

Once inside the festival, I had a great, and I mean great time. The music was phenomenal. No complaints here about not enough headliners. There were many, many acts that belonged on the Main Stage or Hill Holler at prime time and would have rocked it. The Old Ceremony surprised many people. American Dumpster, Langhorn Slim, William Walter and Co., Roses Pawn Shop, Sol Creech Band, were all amazing talents.

This was a great festival. They paid attention to the Port-a-Johns. The sound was second to none. The late night jams were appreciated. The food was great. I’m starting to understand the prices. I had a plate of blackened mahi mahi with a “special relish” and sides of greens, and mac & cheese Friday afternoon. Try that at a restaurant and pay $20. Try it at Floydfest and get it for $10. I collected my suggested donation back right then.

I also discovered the cure for a hangover Sat. morning at Kate’s Outback. Their Thai Tea did the trick for me and then for about ten more people after I suggested it to them.

This was a great time. Positives all around. That one hill by the showers and drum circle killed me over and over again but it didn’t stop me from going back for more. Big Time Kudos and I can’t wait ’til next year!

Later, Fish