FloatLife Fest Revives Old Fort's Spirit Amid Recovery from Hurricane Helene

Mon Sep 29 2025 00:28:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The FloatLife Fest in Old Fort, N.C., attracts motorized Onewheel enthusiasts, bringing hope and financial support to a community still healing from Hurricane Helene's aftermath.

Old Fort, North Carolina, hosts its mid-September FloatLife Fest, a gathering dedicated to motorized Onewheel boards, drawing 400 attendees and boosting local morale and economy as the town grapples with post-Hurricane Helene challenges. While many businesses have reopened, the scars of the storm remain, reminding residents of the resilience required for recovery in this scenic mountain town.

OLD FORT, N.C. — As morning mist lifts from the mountains, Onewheel riders zoom through the quaint streets of Old Fort, where the community is buzzing with the energy of FloatLife Fest, the nation’s premier event celebrating these quirky motorized boards. The festival, held mid-September, welcomed around 400 visitors, significantly boosting the local economy and offering a much-needed respite to the town still healing from the extensive damages caused by Hurricane Helene last year.

“This place has such a welcoming vibe,” said Jess Jones, a 34-year-old marine biologist from Edinburgh. “We should definitely come back again.” Such sentiments echo throughout the festival, as attendees express their enthusiasm for not only the event but also for the beauty of the surrounding areas.

The spirit of FloatLife Fest stands as a testament to Old Fort’s natural charm and its residents’ resilience. Even while much of the town bears visible scars from the hurricane's floods and landslides, there are signs of recovery. Downtown shops are reopening, though some families continue to face housing challenges as they rebuild their lives.

Local businesses, particularly in the tourism sector, have been yearning for a revival following the hurricane’s disruptive impact. Bike shop owner Chad Schoenauer speaks of the community's struggles to return to pre-Hurricane Helene levels of business. “Many people still think we are closed down,” he notes, reflecting a sentiment shared by others trying to recover their livelihoods.

Hurricane Helene's Impact and Recovery

The catastrophic effects of Hurricane Helene profoundly altered Old Fort's trajectory as an emerging outdoor tourism destination. In earlier years, local leaders had worked diligently to transform the area, leveraging its striking natural beauty to attract visitors for mountain biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

The blueprints for this vision, however, were disrupted when the storm swept through in September 2024. Raging waters from the Catawba River left swathes of downtown submerged, prompting an immediate response from local business owners like Schoenauer, who found his bike shop drastically impacted.

Now, as the festival draws crowds, it shines a light on the hard-fought battles local businesses have waged to regain their footing. Each reopened trail and business represents a victory in the community's ongoing recovery process, as evidenced by the continued support and enthusiasm from festival-goers.

The state has reported a slump in overall tourist spending, with areas affected by Helene facing obstacles in attracting visitors. The Blue Ridge Parkway's closure, which continues to limit access to scenic views, exacerbates the economic challenges. However, with a cooperative spirit surging through the town during FloatLife Fest, the community takes another step forward.

Despite the trials faced, events like FloatLife Fest offer a glimmer of hope, signifying a collective effort to rebuild and redefine Old Fort’s reputation as a vibrant hub for outdoor enthusiasts.