Drumming News :
The inaugural Florida Drum Fest brought drummers, percussion enthusiasts, industry professionals, educators and collectors together on Sunday, September 20, at the Lake County Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Eustis, Florida, for a full day celebrating everything drums and percussion.
Designed as an all-ages gathering for the entire drumming community, the first Florida Drum Fest featured an impressive combination of major manufacturers, boutique builders, vintage collectors, educators and specialty brands. The event showcased the diversity of products in today’s percussion industry while giving attendees a firsthand opportunity to see, hear and try the products and talk with people behind them.
The event also featured two educational clinics highlighting different sides of modern drumming. Renowned extreme-metal drummer Derek Roddy brought his experience as a performer and educator to the event, while percussionist and educator Greg Hersey presented his clinic, “Finding Your Artistic Imprint”, focusing on creativity, musical identity and developing an individual approach to performance.
The 2026 Florida Drum Fest allowed attendees the opportunity to meet various artists and industry personalities, explore custom instruments and drum-related accessories, shop new and vintage gear and even participate in the show’s consignment area.
“Florida Drum Fest was created to bring the entire drum community together under one roof,” said event organizer John Spinelli. “From the world’s biggest drum companies to small independent builders, educators, collectors and everyday players, everyone has a place at Florida Drum Fest. The response to the first event has been incredibly encouraging.”
The inaugural Florida Drum Fest has established a new destination for drum enthusiasts creating a platform for manufacturers, independent builders and the wider percussion community to connect directly with players. Florida Drum Fest aims to build on the momentum of its inaugural event and continue growing into an annual gathering for drummers throughout Florida and beyond.
FDF organizers wish to thank all the attendees, volunteers and exhibitors for making the first annual Florida Drum Fest a rousing success. Gretsch Drums, DDrum USA, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drum Sticks, Modern Drummer Magazine, Paiste Cymbals, The Sessions Panel, Humes & Berg, Lucky Drums Company, Percussive Arts Society, Angel Bartolotta (AB Drum Lessons), RL Drums, Clear Tune Monitors, Hayward Drum Company, TRX Cymbals, Mr. SawBladeHead Designs, RoadKill Custom Drums, Spinelli Drums, Omete Cymbals, Tone Wings, Cymbalic Jewelry, Drum Notation by Beat Note, Larry Matthews Vintage, Homer Made Custom Drums, DrumStatic Drum Heads, Drumtopia, Golden Legends Cymbals, Heavenly Drums, Light and Sound, The Roadkill Podcast, Drum Menace, Groove-Clix Mega Metronome, Keith Munger Drums, Deaf & Drum, Artstruments, Drum Quig Podcast, Michael Welch (Quadra Grip), Gear by Morgan and Centent Cymbals.
