Late July would have been FloydFest time of the year if the pandemic had not interfered. I had stepped back from covering the event for The Floyd Press last year but had just agreed to cover it again this season for television news stations when they canceled this year’s event and began work on a return in 2021.

Given the overbearing heat, perhaps it was a good idea to not slog around the large site with a video camera and sound gear.

Perhaps, but I had spent 15 seasons covering what has become a premier music event for the area. My decision to step away was based on health and age, but…

Floyd is perhaps best-known for its internationally-followed Friday Night Jamboree, but FloydFest has built a strong following after it started with the new century on the farmland straddling the Floyd-Patrick County line just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Covering it with stories, photos and videos over 15 seasons was an annual highlight.

Even though most of the site lies in Patrick County, it is known far and wide as FloydFest and this year’s cancellation is yet another economic hit to our area in this turbulent year. The video above captures some music and fun in previous years of the event.

And more photos below: