Hippie / Music Fest

AKA Fleta Fest. The following information was sent to me via email and I must disclose that I’ve never been to this event, however I have been to River John’s Island many, many drunken times. It is a great location away from “city life” and a perfect spot to relax, let yourself go and have a good time. Links are posted with directions, maps, ticket information, musician lineups, photos, etc. They are very excited about this event as you can tell by the 500 or so exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!

River John’s Island, just out outside Maryville, TN. Is the location of this year’s third annual “Fleta Fest”, held this coming May 14, 15, & 16th! “3 days of music and fun on a 3 acre island!!” There will be 20 bands in three days on only one stage. Accessible by car, you can drive right up onto the island and car camp (no big RV's please!) Also in the case of spring showers, there is a big pavilion on the island where everyone can gather for an intimate performance as the show goes on! In addition to the pavilion, we will have two huge tents set up as additional shelter. This year we are allowing coolers as a consolation for the economy being so difficult, but we will have some incredible food vendors on the island too! Come celebrate Spring and a fresh jumpstart for a great Summer festival season! Remember this is a semi-primitive campsite so bring your grills and tents. There will be one bonfire, so if you want a fire at your campsite bring one of those metal things in which to contain it!! There is electric on the island but it's use is limited to a central location.

Pam Munson will set up her massage therapy tent and we hope to have some hippie bead vendors as well. Ta Dye 4 Ink will set up to sell and let the festival goers make their own tye dye shirts. Julie Costner (local Maryville artist) has done the art work for the logo this year! Pope’s Garden Center located in Maryville (and Knoxville) will provide tropical plants throughout the island!

This year will be better than ever! I checked the Farmer’s Almanac and we will have less precipitation than average, as opposed to last year having substantially more than average! In addition we will have more than a thousand square feet of shelter around the stage so that the show goes on rain or shine! Two years ago during a light spring shower everyone huddled under the large shelter and it made the show nice, cozy and intimate. This festival is growing and getting better every year! A new segment called "Short Sets" will feature up and coming artists as a prelude to the evening shows!

The line up so far:

Brent Thompson Band
Cutthroat Shamrock
Hudson K
Stripmall Ballads
Ben Maney & Countless Sheep
Jessica Dawn
Ganacita
Kirk Fleta Band
Terry "Teep" Philips
Majority of Names
Richard Douglas
Alex Thompson
Fish Sticks
Emory Cannon
Scott McMahan
Ni Crow
Brad Blackwell
Ben DeBerry
Luke Gitchel

Kirk and the festival!