Floyd County Prepares for the Floyd Fandango Beer and Wine Festival

In the past, Floyd county has held two summer events: the “Wine Down the Music Trail” and “Floyd Fandango Faire and Brew”, but this year, the county is trying to dance to the beat of a new drum, combining these events into the Floyd Fandango Beer and Wine Festival.

Erika Johnson, director of this year’s festival, said the events were combined because “They were individually enjoyed and successful, but we don’t have the time, energy, and resources to continue to do them separately.”

“There are so many wine festivals these days, we were trying to keep this one unique and fresh, bringing wine and crafts, extending the hours and allowing camping,” said Johnson. Highlights of the event are regional wine tastings, learning about beer and wine and main stage music. The band Buck Wheat will be stopping in Floyd for their 30-year reunion tour.

“Same location, same participants, but now it’s beer and wine,” said Theresa Cook, a resident of Floyd for 28 years and shop owner of New Mtn Merchantile for the past 17 years. Her store is located in the heart of downtown Floyd.

Cook’s store generates a lot of attention, saying her most popular items are pottery and tie-dyes. Fandango vendors will sell handmade jewelry, sculpture and pottery, woven hammocks and clothes.

She said the upcoming Floyd Fandango is a countywide effort. “Floyd, not only the town, but the county, has a lot of artists who participate,” said Cook, adding that “there’s a lot of musicians that live here and they participate and everyone who performs and does artwork travels and spreads the word.”

Johnson said the event is well received in Floyd, and people in town “Are used to the attention with Floyd Festival; it doesn’t shake anyone up anymore, but it increases shopping and tourism.”

The previous two festivals generated about 5,000 guests each, but by combining the two, Johnson hopes to attract about 7,000 visitors.

The event will take place on July 4 and 5 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Blue Cow Pavilion off the Blue Ridge Parkway, located about 13 miles outside of town - the same site as Floyd Festival.

Tickets are on sale now for $25 and $30 at the door. Each ticket purchase comes with a free wine glass for wine tasting, or a beer mug with four pogs for refills. Children 5 and under get in free. There will be a children’s play area with balloon tying and face painting.

Participating Virginia wineries include Amrhein Wine Cellars, Rockbridge Vineyard, Valhalla Vineyards, Veritas and Villa Appalaccia. Some microbrewers include Blue Mountain Brewery, Starr Hill and Stone Brewery.

Last year’s Floyd Fandango was in the cold month of October. This July, Johnson hopes to heat things up in Floyd County.