Funktafest

🎮 MEET YOUR GUIDES 🎮

Every great adventure needs a guide.

This year, Funkle Sam and Eye Gal are stepping out of the game world and into the real world to help lead the way through Funktafest X.

Over the coming weeks, they’ll be exploring all the side quests, secret levels, hidden treasures, music, art, vendors, Funktivities, and funky surprises that await October 2–3 at Ritter Park Amphitheater.

Whether you’re a first-time player or a seasoned veteran of the Funktafest universe, they’ll be here to help you PRESS START on your next adventure.

And judging by how quickly the first round of tickets has been disappearing, plenty of players have already begun their quest.

Stay tuned for reels, updates, challenges, and plenty of shenanigans along the way.

🎮 The next level awaits.

Funktafest.com


Graphic design by Heath Holley Design + Illustration

🎮 PRESS START: Funktafest.com is LIVE. 🎮

The official home for all things Funktafest X has been refreshed and updated for Year 10.

Want to dive deeper into this year’s festival? Head over to www.Funktafest.com to explore:

🎟️ Ticket options and our 10-Day Press Start Flash Sale
🎶 The full lineup and after-party details
🎨 Funktivities, visual artists, and fire & flow performers
🍔 Food vendors and festival experiences
🙌 Volunteer opportunities
❓ FAQs, directions, and everything you need to plan your weekend

Whether you’re a Funktafest veteran or joining us for the first time, this is your one-stop destination to prepare for October 2–3 at Ritter Park Amphitheater.

Take a look around.

Plan your adventure.

Claim your tickets before Level One unlocks the next stage.

🎮 PRESS START. THE NEXT LEVEL AWAITS.

🌐 www.Funktafest.com

🎮✨ PRESS START ✨🎮

The next level has arrived.

Funktafest X returns to Ritter Park Amphitheater October 2–3 as we celebrate 10 years of music, art, community, and good vibes.

🎟️ Level One: Press Start tickets are ON SALE NOW.
https://events.humanitix.com/funktafest-x/tickets

These are the lowest-priced tickets you’ll see all year.

Featuring:

🔥 Magnolia Boulevard
🔥 The Kind Thieves
🔥 Freekbass
🔥 The Settlement
🔥 THE M.F.B.
🔥 Dinosaur Burps
🔥 HVH: The Heavy Hitters
🔥 Friendly Fire
🔥 Here KeKe
🔥 Mr. Awful
🔥 Mamba Beatz
🔥 Future Anonymous
🔥 Kitana
🔥 Baedizzle
🔥 Arcana

PLUS the Official After-Party at THE LOUD featuring Massing, Randy, and Eye.V on the patio.

🎉 To celebrate Funktafest’s 10th anniversary, Level One: Press Start pricing is available for 10 days only (or while supplies last).

🎮 75 Friday GA – $10
🎮 75 Saturday GA – $10
🎮 50 Weekend Passes – $20
🎮 50 After-Party Tickets – $5

🎮 Once Level One sells out, the next level unlocks and prices increase. Don’t wait to press start.

Gather your party. Complete a few side quests. Make new allies.

🎮 PRESS START. THE NEXT LEVEL AWAITS.



Graphic design by Heath Holley Design + Illustration

What a tremendous loss for the greater Huntington community with today’s heartbreaking news of the passing of Tyson Compton, longtime director of the Huntington Area CVB, only weeks after his retirement.

Tyson was there from the very beginning of our humble beginnings with Funktafest. When I was given the opportunity to organize the festival in 2016, we had only three short months to pull everything together. Tyson and the incredible people at the CVB were among our earliest supporters and sponsors, and they continued supporting the festival every single year since.

A consummate professional and an all-around wonderful human being, Tyson would always graciously hear my yearly “sales pitch” about new developments, ideas, and improvements for the festival. No matter the year, no matter the budget limitations the CVB faced, Tyson always believed in what we were building and found ways to support local arts, music, and community.

That was the brilliance of Tyson. He genuinely cared. He was welcoming, encouraging, thoughtful, and energized by the good things happening throughout Huntington. He championed people, organizations, and ideas that helped move the community forward, and he earned the admiration and respect of so many because of it.

Personally, I will always be grateful not only for his support of Funktafest, but for his kindness, friendship, and unwavering belief in our community.

Tyson, you will be deeply missed. Your leadership, compassion, and commitment to Huntington will leave a lasting impact for many years to come. Rest peacefully, my friend. 💙

— Parry Casto
Funktafest Founder & Producer

One of our most supportive and loyal sponsors, Mike and Paul from Route 60 Music Co., have announced they’ll be closing their doors this May after an incredible 25-year run in Barboursville.

From the very beginning of Funktafest, they believed in what we were building. In year one, when we were just trying to figure it all out, they stepped up with pro audio gear to help us operate. Over the years, they continued to show up in every way possible, from instrument giveaways to financial support, always willing to help however they could.

Their impact goes far beyond our festival. For decades, they’ve supported musicians, students, and the entire local music community with generosity, knowledge, and heart. That kind of presence is rare, and it will be deeply missed.

We’re incredibly grateful for everything Mike, Paul, and the extended Route 60 family have done, not just for Funktafest, but for the region as a whole.

Wishing you both a well-earned and joyful retirement. Thank you for all the years of music, support, and community. 💚

Hello Friends of Route 60 Music.
This is Mike and Paul coming to you with some bittersweet mixed emotions as we announce the upcoming closing of The Route 60 Music Co.
We will be shutting our doors in early May after a wonderful 25 year run here in Barboursville WV. As much as we have enjoyed serving our stellar music community for nearly 50 years each, time takes no prisoners and as members of the elderly, it’s time we retire.
In the next few weeks there’ll be more news so please stay tuned. We are also thrilled that the bulk of our school of music teaching staff will continue as The Barry L. Smith School Of Music coming soon!!
Needless to say we are in:
LIQUIDATION CLEARANCE SALE mode.
EVERYTHING MUST GO!!
MERCHANDISE-FIXTURES- DECOR!
If you see something you want, speak up as we are entertaining all reasonable offers. We have about 5-6 weeks left so please come and help us clear this building out.
And more on this later, but thank you thank you to so many people!! More later. P&M

BITTERSWEET doesn’t even to begin to describe it. 🎸💙☮️

Help spread the word and support Funktafest graphic designer Heath Holley Design + Illustration!

Heath’s graphic design for Gaming Paradise is currently in the running to become their official mascot and logo. It’s down to the Final 4, and your vote can help push his design back into the lead.

To vote:
👉 Click on the original post below
👉 React with the ❤️ heart emoji on Heath’s design

Comments do not count as votes.

He’s currently trailing, so a share and quick vote could make a big difference. Let’s help show some love for a talented artist who has contributed his creativity to Funktafest over the years.

Voting continues through March 31 at 11:59 PM.

Thanks for supporting the artists who help make our community vibrant. 🎨✨

Alright everyone here are our Final 4! 🎉

The rules are simple: everyone gets one vote. Any votes coming from bot accounts or obvious spam profiles will not be counted. Voting must be done through the reaction button. Make sure your reaction matches the contestant you wish to vote for.
* COMMENTS DO NOT COUNT *

The artist with the most votes by March 31st at 11:59:59 PM will be declared the winner of the contest, receive the grand prize, and their design will officially become the Gaming Paradise mascot.

We already have plans to feature this mascot in future promotions, marketing campaigns, and store content, so get ready you’ll likely be seeing this character everywhere. Even in Real-Life mascot form, if you've seen our Mario you know what I'm talking about 👀

We truly appreciate everyone who submitted their original artwork. There were a lot of great entries! Today we want to highlight our final four artists, so make sure to show them some love and support as the voting begins. 🏆

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First Contestant - Austin Short from Huntington, West Virginia!

Austin is a graphic designer for The Telegram newspaper in Jackson, Ohio, and he also takes on art commissions on the side. Online, many people know him as “The Lemon Squid” across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms.

He’s been a lifelong creative, with a passion for drawing, painting, and making videos. On his YouTube channel you might see everything from storytime videos and original cartoons to creative ideas like drawing fake Pokémon and even a cartoon about a killer cat.

Austin lives with his wife, their 6-month-old daughter, and their 16-year-old nephew, and continues to share his creativity with the world through his art and content.

To Vote for Austin react with 👍 (thumbs up)

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Second Contestant - Paige Bowen from Barboursville, West Virginia!

Paige is a Marshall University art school graduate who works as a full-time artist alongside her partner, Vel Smith. Together they run their creative company Candy Critters, where they design and sell fun items like keychains, stickers, f***y packs, blankets, and more.

You can usually find them setting up at markets and conventions throughout the year, sharing their creations with the community. They’re also getting ready to launch a brand-new dinosaur plushie series after a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Paige also has a 12 year old daughter who would absolutely loves video games.

To Vote for Paige react with a Care reaction (Face hugging a heart)

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Third Contestant - Heath Holley from Huntington, West Virginia!

Heath is a full-time freelance graphic designer who spends his time creating professional design work. When he’s not designing, he’s also playing shows with his band, Massing.

If you’d like to check out more of his work or follow along with what he’s doing, you can visit his website:
heathholleydesign.com.

To Vote for Heath react with a Love reaction (Red heart)

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Forth Contestant - Amilah from Charleston, West Virginia!

Amilah is 12 years old and will be turning 13 this May, and she has already developed an amazing passion for art. Her creativity spans across drawing, video editing, and even creating short animations.

While art is currently a fun hobby for her, she hopes that one day it will take her to college where she plans to study graphic design.

Very honored to showcase her creativity!

To Vote for Amilah react with a wow reaction (Face with Open mouth)

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Best of luck to our Final Four! 🎉

If you haven’t had a chance yet, this is the last week for voting for Born & Bred’s Best Of 2025 for West Virginia-centric musical acts, venues, songs, producers and festivals.

We would be totally thrilled if you gave Funktafest your vote for best music festival in West Virginia. We’re on our 10th year of putting on what we think as the best community-driven, music and arts festival in all of West Virginia.

Also, if you’d like, we would be through the funkin’ roof if you gave a thought and vote today before voting closes for THE M.F.B. as Best Funk Act. Of course, brother Jeremy Short and his band is up for the same award and we would be thrilled if you voted for this Funktafest alum instead.

We’re just tickled that you participate in giving props to any of the Funktastic acts and festivals!

Thanks! You can vote ONLY ONCE! We’re happy to be among so many great acts and festivals, we appreciate each and every one of you for giving us consideration!

Funkle Sam NEEDS YOU!!

Voting Is Now Open For The BEST Of 2025 Born & Bred Awards The nominations are in! The ballot is set and voting begins now! Click the link below to vote. You may only vote once. Duplicate votes will not be counted. We aren’t looking for a band to get 1,000…