Those returning to FloydFest this year after attending the inaugural festival at its new home in Check last summer may notice some significant changes to the site.
More than 60 people have been working on the site over the last year to prepare it for FloydFest 2025 Aurora, which takes place July 23 through 27, Sam Calhoun, FloydFest’s chief operating officer, said. They’re working hard to make it a “world-class” venue because it’s what the area deserves, he said.
“I think it’ll be astonishing for people who were here last year, and really just incredible for the people here for the first time,” he said.
A crowd gathers at the Main Stage during FloydFest 2024 Horizon.
The Roanoke Times, File 2025
The festival was held in Patrick County for more than 20 years. After the music festival was canceled in 2023, it came back last year to its new home on a former farm in Check. Attendees last year had differing opinions on the new FestivalPark; many enjoyed it, but many also missed the original site and found the elevation changes at the new site to be a challenge.
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FloydFest surveyed patrons and used their responses to determine what improvements needed to be made to the site before this year’s festival, FloydFest 2025 Aurora, Calhoun said. Possibly the number one issue festivalgoers had was the walk to Higher Ground, a timber frame stage and viewing area located on a hill. They’ve created an additional road for tram transportation that will prevent people from having to walk up there, Calhoun said.
The Higher Ground Stage, foreground, and Main Stage are seen during FloydFest 2024 Horizon.
The Roanoke Times photos, File 2024
Additionally, they’ve streamlined the tram routes around the site and added more trams to further improve transportation at the festival. Pathways and trails across the 200-acre outdoor adventure festival site, as well as the camping areas, have also been enhanced.
“Truly, everywhere people look, there’s going to be something that they see that’s new,” Calhoun said.
Patrons last year also felt that the distance between themselves and the performer at the main stage was too large. FloydFest made some changes so that patrons can be closer to the performer like at the old site, Calhoun said. The Pacifico Oasis stage, which was a little cramped last year, has been relocated to a larger, flatter and dryer area, he said.
“We forewent our original plan of building our mainstage so that we could focus on what really came to be about 40 different pretty big projects to improve the site for future years.”
A map produced by FloydFest showing the stage and camping locations for the 2025 event.
FloydFest image
One hundred artists will play across seven stages over five days at the festival this year. The Black Crows, Mt. Joy, Gov’t Mule and JJ Grey & Mofro are the big headliners, but part of the beauty of FloydFest lies in the diversity of the lineup and the chance to learn about up-and-coming bands, Calhoun said.
“We hope our patrons leave with a new favorite band they’ve never heard of before,” he said.
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The band J & The Causeways performs on the main stage during FloydFest 2024 Horizon.
The Roanoke Times, File 2024
Some patron favorites like The California Honeydrops are returning artists, while others on the lineup will be making their FloydFest debut this summer.
“I personally am excited about LaMP, which is kind of a jazz-jam fusion project, which we believe will be household names pretty soon,” he said. “Geese, which is kind of a heavier rock and roll band, is going to be here – very excited about them.”
Blues artist Nat Myers is a special addition to the FloydFest lineup this year, Calhoun said. Earlier this year, Myers was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma and as a result could not go on tour this year. However, he’s feeling healthy enough to play again and will be at FloydFest, Calhoun said.
“We are going to welcome him back for a porch set stage, and we’re going to be one of the only ones that have him this year, so we’re very excited that he’s going to be able to come,” he said.
Tickets for FloydFest 2025 Aurora, as well as the full lineup, a recommended packing list and other guiding information, is available on the festival’s website.
Lily Kincaid