Located at 2380 Floyd Hwy South on Route 221 is Wildwood Farms General Store. The owners, Bob and Judy Bowman, have invested heavily into the community through this store and through their farm. Their unique cruise-ins allow the community to gather together around a shared interest in vintage or unique vehicles. This hobby has even allowed the couple to fundraise for certain causes or individuals who are in need of assistance.
Wildwood Farms General Store in Floyd has cruise-ins every first and third Sunday from 1-4PM starting in April, going through October. The daylily garden has been located there for 24 years, with the store and the garden being owned by Bob & Judy Bowman. The Bowman’s have always had a love of gardening and decided on Floyd as the location because Judy had spent so much time here with her step-father, George. The daylily garden has been a staple of Wildwood Farms since its opening in 1999.
After success on the farm, the couple decided to plan for the opening of the Wildwood Farms General Store in 2011. The land where the store resides has been in George’s family since 1957. Judy’s mom, Ethel, and step-father were both very excited to contribute to the daylily garden and general store. However, tragically, they both passed away in the year 2012. After some setbacks, the store was opened in 2013.
The Bowman’s began having cruise-ins shortly after the store opened in 2013. Judy’s brother-in-law Maynard started the idea of having cruise-ins at Wildwood because of his history of attending cruise-ins with his wife, Sue, and their friends. Judy also had a strong connection to old cars, as her step-father was a collector. Anyone with a classic car, truck, motorcycle, tractor, cool ride, etc. is invited to participate. Some folks even like to bring their cool lawnmowers. They always feature some incredible vehicles that are a joy to see! They also appreciate anyone who is restoring their car and would like to share it. The history and stories behind the different vehicles are truly amazing. The owners are always willing to talk to other participants and guests about their ride. The vehicle owners are a fountain of knowledge, knowing the history and interesting facts about their ride. The amount of work and maintenance involved for these vehicles is impressive.
Cruise-in folks are a special group. They travel great distances to attend the events, meet up with friends, and do rides for charity. These activities allow the participants to meet and make new friends and make great memories. The Bowman’s are very grateful for all participants and guests. The cruise-in happens in the field below the store. They have a large field with a selection of parking. Guests and participants can arrive and leave whenever they choose. Many of the participants are regulars and have become like family. There is a music jam from 2-4PM where anyone can join in. There is usually a wonderful audience and dancers who enjoy the music. During some concerts, the store hosts the cruise-in in the parking lot while the band is on the patio above the store. A featured band has frequently been the local group, High Noon. There are regular bluegrass and old-time bluegrass music events throughout the year.
The owners try to help those in need when they can. They have had cruise-ins to raise money for local causes such as Plenty and Roberson Mill, as well as for community members with health problems. They have also had a memorial cruise-in for a dear friend who attended almost all of the cruise-ins. The Wildwood Farms was even asked to be the host venue for a car show this summer for Lauren Worley, who was in a horrible car accident in December of 2023. This event is scheduled for Saturday, July 13th from 10AM to 3PM with an entry fee of $10.00. There will also be music by different bands. More details for this event will be shared on Wildwood’s social media.
There is a special community feeling fostered by the cruise-ins and music jams that takes a person back in time to when people just wanted to spend some time together and enjoy themselves. Wildwood wants to be known as the “neighborhood” place to be. Most of the events are kept free to the public to ensure that the event feels like a community gathering where everyone is welcome.
Wildwood Farms • Judy Bowman • 540-745-5155
2380 Floyd Highway South, Floyd, VA
www.WildwoodFarmsFloyd.com