Saturday, August 22, 2026 • 10 AM – 5 PM • Free Admission • Rain or Shine • Free Parking & Shuttle
Experience Floyd County’s
Art & Music Living Traditions
Celebrate the heritage of Floyd County and the artists carrying it forward today. Two stages of music & dance, 70+ craft demonstrations, and a community gathering where the old inspires the new.
Rain or shine • Family-friendly Free entry & Parking
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Experience Floyd County’s Living Traditions
Presented by the Floyd Center for the Arts in partnership with the Floyd Country Store’s Handmade Music School, the 3rd Annual Floyd Living Traditions Festival is a free, rain-or-shine celebration of the songs, stories, and skills passed down through generations — and the artists keeping them alive today. On Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10 AM–5 PM, the Floyd Center for the Arts comes alive with two stages of music & dance, 70+ traditional craft demonstrations, artisan vendors, workshops, storytelling, exhibitions, community project, kids’ activities, silent auction, and local food.
From blacksmiths and broom makers to dancers, quilters, and luthiers, you’ll meet the makers preserving Appalachian heritage and see how old traditions inspire new creations. With tributes to legendary musicians, hands-on activities, and vibrant community spirit, it’s both a look back and a step forward in the living story of Floyd County.
Award Winning Festival
The Floyd Living Traditions Festival has been voted a 2026 Blue Ridge Country Best of the Mountains Platinum Award winner for Best Events: Heritage & Culture Festival in the Upper Blue Ridge Region, representing Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky! Platinum is the highest award level, and this year's Readers' Choice Poll drew a record-breaking 37,000+ votes. We are incredibly proud to see Floyd County's living traditions recognized across the region!
Accessibility
The Floyd Center for the Arts is committed to making the Floyd Living Traditions Festival accessible to all members of our community. We strive to ensure that everyone can fully participate in and enjoy the event.
Large-print and braille materials, as well as audio descriptions, are available upon request with at least one week’s notice.
For accessibility accommodations or questions, please contact our staff at info@floydartcenter.org.
Special Thanks To Our Sponsors
This project is made possible by Mid Atlantic Arts’ Central Appalachia Living Traditions program with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Kick Off the Festival at the
Floyd Country Store Friday Night Jamboree
Kick off the 2026 Floyd Living Traditions Festival with an unforgettable evening of music at the Floyd Country Store's Friday Night Jamboree on Friday, August 21!
The evening begins at 6:30 PM with a gospel performance by The Farleys, followed by two old-time dance sets from Twin Creeks Stringband at 7:30 PM.
Celebrate Floyd's rich musical heritage as we launch a weekend dedicated to the region's living traditions of art, music, and craft.
General admission tickets are available at the door beginning at 4:45 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 7–12. Children 6 and under are free. General admission tickets are not sold in advance, and seating is not guaranteed.
A limited number of reserved seats are available online for $16 each through the Floyd Country Store. Reserved seating is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and must be occupied by 6:30 PM.
We hope you'll join us for this wonderful community tradition before spending Saturday, August 22, at the Floyd Living Traditions Festival at the Floyd Center for the Arts!
Music & Presentations
The Festival has two Stages - Outdoor & Indoor
From gospel harmonies to old-time string bands, the festival features an incredible lineup on two stages. The Outdoor Stage, curated by our partner the Floyd Country Store’s Handmade Music School, spotlights some of the best in Appalachian music — from local legends to rising stars. The Indoor Stage offers a mix of dance, storytelling, artist talks, and more, all in the intimate setting of Fallon Community Hall.
Outdoor Stage Schedule
Our Outdoor Stage, curated by the Floyd Country Store’s Handmade Music School, will feature a full day of traditional music, dance, and cultural performances celebrating Floyd's living traditions.
10:00–10:45 AM: Little River Missionary Baptist Church Choir
The Little River Missionary Baptist Church Choir of Floyd, Virginia, shares uplifting traditional and contemporary gospel music rooted in faith, community, and fellowship.
11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Ballads of Southwest Virginia and North Carolina with Elsa Howell and Murphy Campbell
Elsa Howell and Murphy Campbell explore the tradition of Appalachian ballad singing through songs passed down across generations in Virginia and North Carolina. Their performance highlights the haunting melodies, vivid stories, and family traditions that continue to shape Appalachian music.
12:15–1:15 PM: Handmade Music School Youth String Band
Students from the Handmade Music School demonstrate how the musical traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains are passed from teacher to student, phrase by phrase and tune by tune. The Handmade Music School is dedicated to sustaining old-time, bluegrass, and traditional music and dance throughout Floyd County and the surrounding region.
1:30–2:30 PM: Virginia Hollow
Hailing from Floyd, Virginia, Virginia Hollow blends Americana, country, folk, rock, and bluegrass into soulful mountain music. Led by songwriter Carrie Hinkley, the trio also features Sue Winchester on upright bass and harmony vocals and Brad Collier on lead guitar.
2:45–3:45 PM: Skinny Creek
Skinny Creek is an old-time dance band rooted in the traditional sounds of Virginia’s Blue Ridge region. Known for fast, driving fiddle tunes, lively two-steps, and waltzes, the band features Shay Garriock, Jared Boyd, Heather Krantz, and Stacy Boyd.
4:00–5:00 PM: Handmade Music School Harmonic Heritage Series featuring Marvin Harlow
The Handmade Music School’s Harmonic Heritage Series preserves the voices, songs, and stories of elder musicians from Floyd County and Southwest Virginia. This special performance celebrates legendary Floyd County musician Marvin Harlow, an acclaimed bluegrass musician and multi-instrumentalist dedicated to preserving the classic sound of Appalachian music.
Indoor Stage Schedule
Join us inside Fallon Community Hall throughout the day for engaging presentations, artist talks, workshops, and traditional dance.
10:30–11:30 AM: A History of the Extension Homemakers Council
Presented by the Floyd County Historical Society
Discover the history and lasting impact of the Floyd County Extension Homemakers Council, which has served the community since 1941. Historian Alexis Vest explores the organization's mission, accomplishments, and influence on generations of Floyd County residents.
12:00–1:00 PM: Floyd Historical Dancers
Step back into the 18th century with the Floyd Historical Dancers as they celebrate America's 250th anniversary through period dance. Enjoy a lively performance followed by an interactive dance lesson where everyone is invited to participate.
1:30–2:15 PM: Artist Talk with Donald Sunshine
Location: Falcon Gallery
Join award-winning architect, author, and artist Donald Sunshine for a gallery talk on his exhibition Landmarks: The Rock Churches and the White Churches of the Blue Ridge. Inspired by years of exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sunshine's watercolor paintings celebrate the historic churches that have long served as landmarks and gathering places throughout the region.
2:30–3:30 PM: Handmade Music School Partner Dance Workshop
Learn traditional community dances with Garrett and Mary, including the Charleston Bump, the 16-Step (12-Step Shuffle), and the Barn Dance. No partner or experience is required. Everyone is welcome.
4:00–5:00 PM and Beyond: Community Contra Dance
Presented by the Floyd Contra Dancers
Join the Floyd Contra Dancers for an open community dance led by veteran caller Thea Nettleton with live music by Woody and Marcia McKenzie. No experience or partner is necessary. Whether you're dancing for the first time or returning to the floor, everyone is invited to experience one of Appalachia's most welcoming and enduring traditions.
Floyd County’s Living Traditions
The Floyd Living Traditions Festival celebrates the skills and stories that have shaped life in our mountain community for generations. From the blacksmith’s forge to the weaver’s loom barn, these demonstrations showcase the heritage crafts that built our culture — and the artisans who keep them thriving today. Nearly 70 makers will share their talents, passing down knowledge through hands-on demonstrations that connect the past to the present and inspire the next generation.
Demonstrations
Basketry
Luthiery
Woodworking
Spinning & Weaving
Blacksmithing
Pottery
Quilting
Limberjacks
Sheep Shearing
... AND MORE!
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Activities & Workshops
There’s something for everyone at the festival! Kids can get creative with free craft activities and join our community art project, adding their own touch to a collaborative piece that grows throughout the day.
Want to dive deeper? Drop in for one of our hands-on workshops — just $25 each — and get a taste of taking a class at the Floyd Center for the Arts. This year’s offerings include Pottery and Stained Glass, taught by our talented FCA instructors. No experience needed — just bring your curiosity and leave with something beautiful you’ve made yourself.
Exhibitions
While you're at the festival, step inside the Floyd Center for the Arts to explore three exceptional exhibitions celebrating the art, history, and landscapes of our region.
In the Hayloft Gallery, Strings Attached – The Enduring Appeal of Overshot Coverlets, presented by the Old Church Gallery, showcases the rich tradition of handwoven overshot coverlets and the stories they continue to tell about Appalachian craftsmanship and community.
The Falcon Gallery features Landmarks… The Rock Churches and the White Churches of the Blue Ridge by Donald Sunshine. Through paintings and drawings, Sunshine captures the beauty, history, and enduring spirit of the Blue Ridge's historic churches.
In the Breezeway Gallery, experience the 5th Floyd Plein Air Biennial Preview Exhibition, featuring works by this year's selected artists from across the country. Get a first look at the artists before they return to Floyd in September to paint the area's stunning landscapes during the Biennial.
All exhibitions are included with festival admission and offer another opportunity to experience the creativity and living traditions that make Floyd such a special place.
Festival Merch
This year’s merch tent is loaded with
goodies you won’t want to miss.
Our Famous Southern Savory Pinto Bean Kits – Easy, hearty, and delicious! Each quart jar kit comes complete with beans and seasonings — $7 each or grab TWO for just $10.
A huge thanks to our festival friend Red Hill General Store for sponsoring our bean kits. Red Hill General Store is located in Hillsville, VA — specializing in “Quality Products for Everyday Living,” with the largest supply of food preservation supplies east of the Mississippi. They’re also home to local arts, crafts, and fine workmanship. Learn more at redhillgeneralstore.com.
2026 Festival T-Shirts
Show your festival spirit with the official 2026 Floyd Living Traditions Festival T-shirt, featuring a custom design by Guilded Design Studio!
Shirts are $22 and available in sizes S–3XL. Pre-order yours today and pick it up Friday, August 21 from 12–5 PM at the Floyd Center for the Arts, or at the Festival Merch Tent on Saturday, August 22.
Festival volunteers can purchase a shirt for the discounted price of $18.
Taste the Flavors of the Festival - Food & Drink
Enjoy delicious bites from Floyd favorites The Vittle Wagon and L5 & Co food trucks. Savor a plate from the Floyd Center for the Arts’ own Pinto Bean & Cornbread Tent, featuring cornbread made by the Floyd Country Store, or cool off with a treat from the Ice Cream Tent — every purchase supports the Art Center’s programs.
And don’t miss the Beer Garden by the Outdoor Stage, the perfect spot to relax with a cold drink while enjoying live music.
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Volunteer at the Festival
Be part of the magic that makes the Floyd Living Traditions Festival happen! From greeting guests and helping at activity stations to assisting with demonstrations and the Art Center’s food tents, volunteers keep the day running smoothly. It’s a fun, hands-on way to connect with the community, meet artists and performers, and support the Floyd Center for the Arts.
Whether you can give a couple of hours or the whole day, your time and energy make a real difference — and you’ll leave with great memories (and maybe a new skill or two!).
Sign up now to join our festival team!
Benefits of being a festival volunteer: Discounted 2026 festival t-shirt. Most importantly, you will be contributing to supporting and building Floyd’s creative culture!