It’s Friday, July 18, 2025.

Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

I was so nervous the first time I attended a music festival. One of my best friends had an extra ticket and asked if I’d like to join her—and while I’d normally shy away from something that big, for some reason I said, “Sure.” I’m so glad I did. Attending Red Wing Roots with Meghin at Natural Chimneys in Mt. Solon was one of my favorite days last year, period. 

I had no earthly idea what I was doing, but she showed me the ropes and by the end of the day, had me feeling like I was a tried and true festival goer. I was so exhausted afterwards, I think I slept 12 hours that night. This year, she invited me to go with her again and I didn’t hesitate to jump at the chance to spend time with her. I knew what to bring, where to go, what to do, and all the ins and outs. We even added a couple short hikes and a dip in the creek to the itinerary and had a ball.

That brings me to this: Attending a festival you haven’t been to before can be a little intimidating. That’s why Sam Cohen—also one of my friends who lives and breathes live music—wrote all about FloydFest, which happens next week. If you’re curious about attending a local event, it’s a great one to check out. I’m so glad you’re here. 

First Aid Kit Performing at Floyd Fest in 2015. (Holly Anne Cromer/Shutterstock)

Here’s what you need to know: FloydFest 2025~Aurora is scheduled to take place Wednesday, July 23 through Sunday, July 27 at Festival Park, located in Check. This multi-day music festival hosts a range of performances, food and beverage vendors, and camping opportunities to provide you with a one-of-a-kind event.

Our top tips:

• The lineup for FloydFest 2025~Aurora features a mix of well-known and up-and-coming acts. The schedule for each day encompasses performances from artists in both categories. Essentially, attending the festival is a “choose your own adventure” where you can plan out what your day is going to look like based on who’s playing and when.

• Camping and glamping options are available for those who want to stay close to the action during FloydFest 2025. Please note that there’s currently a waitlist for these options, which you can add your name and information to through this link. If you’re unable to secure on-site accommodation, looking for a nearby hotel, motel, bed & breakfast, or Airbnb is going to be your best option this close to the festival’s start date.

• Free water is available at numerous hydration stations found throughout the festival grounds, and both NA and AA meetups will be held for those in need of support and a sense of community. Service animals will be vetted on site by security, and FloydFest adheres to all ADA guidelines. 

Ready to enjoy a weekend you won’t forget? We’ve got more tips on how to do just that at the link below. 

I’ll never forget gawking when my grandfather, Papa, picked up my brand new Woodrow (similar to a mountain dulcimer). He immediately started strumming “Shall We Gather at the River.” No, he’d never seen an instrument quite like it before—but that didn’t stop him from playing it. When I learned guitar, I did so by using one of his older ones, hoping that some of his musical talent would rub off on me. So far, I’m only proficient in kazoo. 

Do you play an instrument—and if so, what is it and who taught you? Be sure to let me know at amie@couriernewsroom.com. If you send me a picture of you playing, I might feature it in an upcoming newsletter! 

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Salem Va., Saturday, Nov 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Winsome Earle-Sears has embraced President Donald Trump’s unpopular federal cuts, despite multiple polls showing her lagging behind her opponent, Abigail Spanberger.

Earlier this month, Earle-Sears, Virginia’s lieutenant governor and the Republican nominee for governor this fall, told the conservative station Newsmax TV that Trump’s massive policy bill that’s expected to take away health care from hundreds of thousands of poor and middle-class Virginians “does so many great things.”  

Those comments followed others in which she downplayed the pain of laid-off federal workers, saying she doesn’t understand why, “The media is making it out to be a huge, huge thing,” and telling workers, “Don’t despair.”

But previously unreported audio obtained by Dogwood shows that Earle-Sears understands the challenge her campaign faces in aligning with an unpopular president advancing policies that are putting Virginians out of work and threatening their health care. 

I’ve got some good news! Dogwood’s own Michael O’Connor is launching Virginia Capital, a newsletter exploring the full landscape of Virginia’s policy disputes and labor battles. The twice-a-week newsletter will help you understand the ideas and agendas that are shaping the lives of workers and businesses across Virginia. And like everything else we do, it’s free. Sign up by clicking here.

• Trump’s tariffs are pushing up prices, with inflation rising to 2.7% in June. That’s the highest increase in over a year. (See post here)

• Did you know that Virginia recently dropped from the No. 1 spot on America’s Top States for Business list by CNBC, due to current federal policy? (Watch here)

• Virginia Democrats recently criticized Gov. Glenn Youngkin for removing childcare from the state budget. The decision to use his line-item veto power affected a $25 million child care pilot program. (Watch here)

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