Third annual Living Traditions Festival draws about 2,000
There were demonstrations in blacksmithing, barn quilt making, basket making, soap making, chainsaw carving and more. Some of the interactive demonstrations — working with clay, making corn husk dolls and print making — were especially popular with the younger crowd.
The Floyd Living Traditions Festival is a free-to-the-public annual celebration of mountain culture and heritage.
Presented by the Floyd Center for the Arts and The Handmade Music School, this year’s festival on Aug. 23 featured more than 25 artisan booths to explore, Appalachian living demonstrations and exhibits, music performances, craft workshops, kid’s activities, dance classes, local food trucks and more.
Commenting on the day’s great turnout, former FCA board member Jason Gallimore said, “In this high-tech world of online interactions, people are interested in nostalgia. People love coming out to experience this music, people on spinning wheels and people making brooms. People are craving authenticity.”
The Little River Missionary Baptist Church opened the festival with gospel music performances at the HMS’s outdoor stage. Old-time and bluegrass bands performed throughout the day.
There were musical tributes to Floyd’s famed musicians of the past, Randall Hylton and the Floyd County Ramblers. HMS students presented ensemble performances and a full-stage jam with flat-footers dancing on boards nearby.
“I’m proud to be a part of this event,” said HMS’s Executive Director Dylan Locke from the stage. He thanked the Music School teachers, the event sponsors and everyone who helped make the festival a success.