Float Fest is moving to private ranch

Float Fest has found a new location. According to a Wednesday press release, the tubing and music festival will be held on a private ranch in Gonzales County, and lineup and ticket information will be announced Thursday.

Gonzales is located on the Guadalupe River about an hour’s drive from Austin and San Antonio, and approximately two hours from Houston. The festival’s organizers had to move it this year after they were denied a mass gathering permit from the Guadalupe County Commissioner’s Court. In previous years it had been held at Cool River Ranch across the river from Martindale.

Organizers appealed the Guadalupe County decision but it was upheld by a district judge.

“Float Fest is happening and we are excited about that. We have been working on another location for months,” said Marcus Federman, founder of Float Fest. “We have been thinking about moving the festival for some time now to allow for expansion and more attendees, and a great opportunity presented itself with Gonzales. Gonzales is known as the birthplace of Texas independence and we can’t think of a better place to celebrate a festival rich in Texas traditions such as live music, floating the river, and camping.”  

Float Fest will still include all the amenities of floating the river, camping, and live music, with the property being three times larger than past festivals, the press release said. With river access to float being on-site at this year’s festival, no more shuttles are needed, which means immediate access to the water upon arrival. 

The camp grounds are a pecan orchard right by the Guadalupe River as well as larger camping sites with 20x20 spaces available. The festival also includes improved traffic flow with multiple exit points. The city center of Gonzales is just a few miles away for convenience with amenities such as hotels, restaurants, retail, supermarkets and more.