FloydFest Visitors Can Expect Different Reception

By Wanda Combs, The Floyd Press
Published: January 28, 2008

An agreement has been reached in regard to Ranger presence at this year’s FloydFest, a local music event held annually along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The assurance, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) said, is that attendees will not be singled out for more vigorous law enforcement treatment and traffic stops than any other event of similar size.

In 2007, the National Park Service’s Criminal Interdiction Team (CIT), sent to work at the event, stopped 181 vehicles near FloydFest during the music festival’s four days. The Team “garnered nearly as much attention as some of the headlining musicians,” said Fest organizers Kris Hodges and Erika Johnson in a press release last week. Boucher called the actions of the Ranger team “inexcusable” in comments after the 2007 event.

Two months ago, Boucher said a meeting was scheduled at his request at the Congressman’s Abingdon office. Attending were Parkway officials - Phil Francis (Parkway superintendent), John Garrison, Steve Stinnett, and John Murphy, FloydFest’s Hodges and Johnson, and the Congressman. The purpose, Boucher said, was to achieve “a proper balance” between adequate law enforcement for the event and an atmosphere of cordiality and geniality conducive to the growth of FloydFest in future years.

In 2007, cordiality and geniality were parts missing from that equation, Boucher said. He added the agreement that has now been reached and is satisfactory to both parties will hopefully guarantee FloydFest 2008 will be “a much better experience” for the attendees.

Boucher also told the Press Tuesday that the CIT will be disbanded, in an agreement he reached with Supt. Francis. He said Francis had written a letter to him to that effect and stated that the CIT had achieved its purpose.
Key points of the agreement reached for FloydFest, Boucher said, are:

• The Criminal Interdiction Team, criticized for using aggressive tactics in FloydFest 2007 will not be deployed to FloydFest 2008.
• Law enforcement at FloydFest will be the same as law enforcement at other significantly attended events along the Parkway, including weekend concerts at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Carroll County, which attracts thousands on the weekends in the summer.
• The number of Rangers assigned to FloydFest will be based on expected traffic volume at FloydFest.

Boucher told the Press that FloydFest is an important part of Floyd County’s tourism component, along with continued growth of businesses and construction in Floyd. FloydFest visitors patronize local businesses, he added. “I think it’s important we encourage the continued growth of FloydFest.” Boucher also complimented Supt. Francis, his staff, Hodges and Johnson “for the professional way they expressed their concerns (at the Abingdon meeting)…and reached an agreement in a manner which assures an adequate level of law enforcement and hospitable environment.”

FloydFest organizers are “absolutely” happy with the agreement that has been reached, Johnson told the Press. She commended Boucher for his role in the process. “We felt like he took his commitment to tourism seriously and also took seriously the issues and responses of citizens in regard to Parkway presence.” The meeting in Abingdon lasted over two hours, she commented. “We really felt grateful that Boucher gave that amount of energy, time and attention to the issues.”

Johnson said the Parkway has always had a presence at FloydFest, but when Rangers from outside the area came in 2006, it was “a surprise.” She said she didn’t know if a CIT existed at that time, but in 2007 the team’s presence was evident. FloydFest has always had a plan in place, and organizers with the festival management company, Across-The-Way Productions, have worked with local Sheriffs, local Rangers, and local emergency services, she noted. FloydFest has always had to secure a permit from the National Park Service and pay a fee, she commented.

On the latest developments at FloydFest, Johnson remarked, “We really never envisioned ourselves in second guessing the Parkway on security issues…on security and safety.” With that many people at an event, she added, those two things are “everyone’s concern.”

Chief Ranger John Garrison with the National Park Service told the Press that several things are taken into consideration when an event is reviewed and a determination of appropriate staffing level is being made. Two of those include the duration of the event and numbers of people. Also considered are if the event has a history and what the impact was. He remarked, “We also try to predict the likelihood of types of issues that are unexpected.”

Garrison said, “FloydFest is continuing to grow. It’s a very popular event.” He commented that the numbers the NPS have been given estimates FloydFest attendance at 10,000-12,000 people. For 2008, he added, “We’re looking at that number and some growth.”

For the 2008 event, to be held July 24-27, FloydFest organizers will have an increased security team in place, Johnson said, and part of the job will be making sure no outside alcohol gets in.

The festival theme for this year is “A Family Affair”. Johnson said the theme reiterates with the event has always been. Last year when the CIT’s presence escalated, she said it was really gratifying not to have to make an issue of what kind of event it is – “a family-oriented, safe, music and arts event.” The organizers instead “let the public speak,” and through their letters and the media the message got out, she said.

About the 2008 FloydFest, Hodges had this to say: “The theme of this year’s event bespeaks of the growing trend and awareness of people of all communities which has come to the world’s attention that how we practice business, how responsible we are socially, greatly effects every single person near and far. It has come to attention, with the ever-growing awareness of technology and green building practices, that now is the time to recognize the impact that each and every one of us has on this homebase that we call ‘Planet Earth.’ It is our desire with FloydFest, ‘A Family Affair,’ that we can be a part of bringing this awareness to fruition.”