WildFlowers Festival of Music & Dance Kicks Off with a Strong Debut, Setting the Stage for Years to Come
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Marking the first-ever gathering at WildFlowers Music Park, a newly preserved 270-acre landscape dedicated to music, nature, and community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MELROSE, FLORIDA - March 13–15, 2026 — More than 1,800 attendees gathered for the inaugural WildFlowers Festival of Music & Dance, a vibrant debut featuring 40 musical acts and 32 workshops set across 270 acres of natural Florida landscape. The 3-day event also featured a dynamic Healing Arts Village, a dedicated kids and teens area, and a diverse array of local art and food vendors alongside participating nonprofits. Bringing music, movement, and community together, the festival established a strong foundation for future gatherings at WildFlowers Music Park.
Friday kicked off with a dynamic mix of regional and local talent, including North Carolina artists Stefan Edward and Mason Via, alongside local favorites Amy Webster’s Sum of the Parts and Beulah Mae Blues from Melrose, as well as Gainesville-based acts Weeds of Eden and United Boots of Funkadelica, a high-energy all-star ensemble.
Festival highlights included a high-energy Friday night in the Cabaret Tent with Morelli and the Groove, where an epic dance party brought attendees of all ages together on the dance floor, creating a shared sense of connection that many described as pure magic. That same evening, Remedy Tree drew a packed field for an electrifying bluegrass set, helping set the tone for the weekend ahead.
Saturday built on that momentum, opening with acts like Gainesville-based Sam & Luci and Second Fiddle from Jacksonville, FL. In the evening, Grammy-nominated Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers took the stage, filling the dance tent with movement and lively zydeco dancing, followed by Cortadito, a Cuban folk band from Miami, who kept the energy going. Standout moments continued across the grounds, including an unforgettable performance by Mighty Mystic, whose guitarist, John DeCarlo, stepped off the stage and into the crowd, playing guitar while interacting directly with festivalgoers. Later that night, Toubab Krewe packed out the field with their infectious rhythms and high-energy performance.
Sunday on the main stage opened with the sweet sounds of Henry Melendy, lead vocalist for Melrose band The Deal, followed by a Cabaret Tent performance from Wax Wings, led by Chelsea Carnes of Heartwood Soundstage. In the afternoon, Pangea brought West African-inspired rhythms to the main stage, carrying the global musical thread of the weekend. The day also featured encore performances from crowd favorites Toubab Krewe and Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. The festival closed on a high note with an electrifying performance by Les Greene, known for his appearance on American Idol, leaving attendees energized and inspired as the inaugural weekend came to a close.
Beyond the main stage, the festival experience extended across the property under the canopy of majestic ancient live oaks. The children’s area remained active throughout the weekend, while attendees enjoyed on-site camping, nature walks and talks, and collaborative art experiences such as group painting. Workshops ran continuously, with West African dance and drumming emerging as a crowd favorite, reflecting the festival’s spirit of participation, creativity, and cultural connection.
"Thank you to each and every person who was part of the inaugural WildFlowers Festival of Music & Dance. We were truly blown away by the energy shared throughout the park. The magic could be felt all around," said Catherine Booth, Chief Communication and Community Engagement Officer & Festival Coordinator, WildFlowers Music Park.
The festival featured many local food vendors, including Blue Water Bay, Gator Baits, Wildman Foods, and the Flying Frog Mushrooms food truck. Community support was remarkable, from the healing artists who gifted their time and shared their talents to the incredible volunteers, without whom this event would not have been possible, assisting with parking, gates, stage support, and sanitation. Operations ran smoothly, and guests shared overwhelmingly positive feedback. As one neighbor who initially opposed the park put it, “We came to see if you were good or bad… and you were real good. We’ll be back tomorrow.”
Guests repeatedly commented on the beauty of the park, the talented musicians, the skilled dance workshop instructors, and the phenomenal kids and teens area.
This is just the beginning. Next year, the WildFlowers Festival of Music & Dance will return in February 2027.
Festival coordination was led by Jordan Puryear, co-founder of the GrassRoots festivals in Trumansburg, New York and Pittsboro, North Carolina, alongside Catherine Booth, a North Florida native bringing deep regional roots to the event, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who helped bring the festival to life.
WildFlowers Music Park is a new 270-acre music and nature park in Melrose, Florida, just 17 miles east of Gainesville.
At its heart, it's a conservation project. The aim is to restore the land and protect and honor all of the ancient Live Oaks on the property while preserving the land for future generations.
The festival of music & dance hosted on March 13-15, 2026 was the first-ever event at the park.
Ticket proceeds support festival operations and help steward the newly protected 270-acre property.
MEDIA CONTACT
Catherine Booth
Chief Communication and Community Engagement Officer, Festival Coordinator
WildFlowers Music Park
352-776-8776 (Text/Call)
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