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Summer is arriving and it’s time to set aside academics and have some fun. FloydFest , without a doubt, is the thing to do.

Whether you’re looking for a cathartic, relaxing, slow-paced environment or an up beat place to party, FloydFest can accommodate.

FloydFest is held for five days in July and is celebrating its eighth anniversary this year. For those of you who don’t know anything else about FloydFest (shame on you), learning by experience is the best way to go.

“I didn’t know what it was at first,” said Community High School student Emma Gust, who has been to FloydFest once before. “I knew it was about music. If you go there, you see crazy colors, literally stuff everywhere, nice hippies, random people who give you hugs, and good music.”

She described the atmosphere at FloydFest, which has a “tent city” where people sleep and does not have phone service, as the feeling of having no concept of time. “I don’t think there’s a way you can’t enjoy it,” concluded Gust.

“FloydFest is a rock music extravaganza,” said Will Hooper, who attends Community High School. You can get into FloydFest for free if you volunteer, Hooper said. The best part of the experience for him was being able to help out backstage while still having time for the music.

However, FloydFest is more than just a festival for teenage music lovers. “FloydFest is a diverse musical festival embracing originality and family spirit,” said John McBroom, who has been working at the festival since it began. Of all the festivals he’s been to and worked at, he thinks FloydFest is the most family friendly. When asked what kind of music was played at FloydFest, McBroom began listing genres and bands. Eventually, he decided that there is no type of music that is not played at the festival, and that’s why it appeals to all audiences.

Also, McBroom talked about the planning that goes into FloydFest. The people who organize the festival are invested in it 100 percent. “It’s a full-time occupation for them,” said McBroom. “That’s why it’s so great.”

So, if you are free from July 23-26, check out the festivities at FloydFest. Come with your friends and family to sleep in tents and listen to incredible music from all over the world. Tickets are selling quickly, so get to it.

The deadline for volunteer applications is June 15. Applications and more information on FloydFest can be found online at http://atwproductions.com/index.php?pr=ffhome.

See you there!