FloydFest kicks off this week at the site just off the Blue Ridge Parkway for its annual gathering of music and festival fans.

Last year, I made the decision after more than 15 years of covering the festival to step down and let others cover the event for The Floyd Press.  Colleen Redman takes over the chore and will do a good job.

The acts include The String Cheese Incident, Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band, Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Tyler Childers and more.  At my age, I remember Carlile and Hot Tuna but not most of the others.

My legs, hobbled by arthritis and too many injuries over the years, no longer have the ability to traverse the hills at the Patrick County site.

I’ve shot thousands of photos and many hours of video at FloydFest since covering my first one in 2005.  The 5 minutes, 13-second clip above created seven years ago tried to capsulize that was, and is, FloydFest.

Have a good time.