Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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FloydFest books Gov’t Mule, Travelin’ McCourys, Maggie Rose and more
Rock and blues juggernaut Gov’t Mule tops the latest performer announcement list for FloydFest 25~Aurora.
Bluegrass scions The Travelin’ McCourys, presenting The Grateful Ball, Americana-soul singer Maggie Rose and 11 other acts that were also part of a Tuesday morning announcement. FloydFest is scheduled for July 23-27 at FestivalPark, in the Floyd County community of Check.
Other performers in the news release were LA LOM, Toubab Krewe, Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, Kelsey Waldon, Eddie 9V, Nat Myers, Isaac Hadden, Seth James, The Point, LadyCouch and Tan & Sober Gentlemen. They join an already announced lineup that features The Black Crowes, Mt. Joy and JJ Grey & Mofro.
The Warren Haynes-led Gov’t Mule returns to FloydFest for the first time since 2018. Haynes brought a side project, Ashes & Dust, to the festival two years before that. The Mule, which began as an Allman Brothers Band side project, is celebrating 30 years as a band, according to the news release.
Get ticket information at tinyurl.com/FloydFest2025, and more about the festival at floydfest.com.
— Tad Dickens
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Allegiant adds Roanoke-Sarasota flight
Allegiant announced Tuesday that it is adding nonstop service from Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
The twice-weekly service will launch Feb. 14.
This will be Allegiant’s third Florida destination from Roanoke. The carrier has offered flights from Roanoke to Sanford-Orlando and St. Petersburg-Clearwater since 2006.
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VCEDA grant will help fund work at Breaks Interstate Park
A grant of up to $100,000 will help pay for infrastructure and improvements at the Breaks Interstate Park.
The award from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority will be put toward projects including renovating the park’s potable water tanks, expanding its gift shop, repairing or replacing the roof and gutters on the chief ranger’s residence, and improving the park’s amphitheater, according to a news release from VCEDA.
The award comes from the VCEDA Civil Penalties Fund.