You’ve likely seen us posting a ton about our recent experience at Float Fest 2018 (read more about the performances we jammed out to here and here!), but if you haven’t here’s a quick lowdown about this festival that we so quickly fell in love with.
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest was held from Saturday, July 21 to Sunday, July 22 at the beautiful Cool River Ranch just a little outside of San Marcos, Texas. Festival goers had the option to camp on the grounds and even could choose packages allowing them to float on the refreshing San Marcos prior to performances. Over 20 amazing bands performed throughout the weekend on either the Water Stage or Sun Stage.
One thing we absolutely loved about Float Fest was the close proximity between the stages which allowed us to quickly hop over as soon as a new set began. There was also no overlap across sets which lessened that ever-dreadful feeling of FOMO we’ve experienced at so many other festivals. Praise hands! 🙌
The grounds were filled with carnival rides that lit up the sky as the sun went down, and there were plenty of vendors to help you up your festival-wear game (we absolutely loved all the festival fashion). Hungry attendees also had ample options for food with a whole corner devoted to tents representing popular local food trucks and restaurants (our personal favorite on day one was Kababeque).
To quench your thirst, there was bar stands at every corner of the ranch along with festival sponsors handing out free samples of their refreshments and cocktails, such as Mike’s Hard Lemonade, AMP Energy, and Deep Eddy Vodka (we took advantage of em all, y’all).
Overall, day one was a blast! Though we had to make the trek back to Austin and couldn’t stay for night festivities, we were eager to return for more fun in the sun on day two.
Check out some of the photos we captured from day one at the festival below! If you happen to be featured in one, give us a shout in the comments and we’ll hook you up with a downloadable version!
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Lil Wayne at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Run the Jewels at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Lil Wayne at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Run the Jewels at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Run the Jewels at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Lil Wayne at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Lil Wayne at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Lil Wayne at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Run the Jewels | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Run the Jewels at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Lil Wayne at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Lil Wayne at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Modest Mouse at Float Fest 2018 | Photo by Leigh Kettle
Featured image credit: Leigh Kettle/Shuffle Online
Leigh is a native Texan gone temporary New Yorker and now proud Austinite. Passions include but are not limited to music (both as a spectator and dabbler), traveling & cultural adventures, film & television, true crime, design (of the fashion, interior, and graphic sorts), and photographing & writing about all the aforementioned. Self-acclaimed coffee connoisseur & wino, cat aficionado, book worm, and nature junkie.