If you’re a hiker, biker, paddler, angler, climber, yogi, runner, slacker, craft beer drinker . . . there’s only one place to be October 13-15 – GO Fest.
The twice voted “Best Festival” by Blue Ridge Outdoors readers is technically called the Anthem Go Outside Festival, but everyone just calls it GO Fest. Last year the festival attracted 30K adventurers from across the East Coast making it the primo festival for outdoor enthusiasts.
This bad ass festival is 100% free, so that’s a huge bonus right out of the gate. Roanoke Outside and the Roanoke Parks and Recreation collaborate on the festival and have stayed true to their goal of keeping the event free so that everyone can live a healthy active lifestyle.
For simplicity sake the hundreds of activities found at GO Fest can be broken into three categories: Watch It, Race It, and Try It.
Watch It: Any person who wanders into the festival not sure what’s going on can at least catch an awesome show. Pro slackliners, pro BMX stunt shows, dogs jumping 20+ feet into a tank of water, bike trial pros, a lumberjack show, bands, and a heck of a lot of other people doing cool things around the clock.
Race It: GO Fest hosts multiple competitive events – the Super Hero 5K, the Wild Gear Chase urban scavenger hunt, a Beer Mile Relay, Cyclocross Exhibitions, and a Strava-based King and Queen of the Mountain Challenge just to name a few.
Try It (Our Favorite Part): Demo bikes, shoes, kayaks, sups, fly rods, and more. Sit in on one of over 100 different hands-on classes ranging from wilderness first aid and Leave No Trace to bike maintenance and backpack 101 clinics. Try slacklining, yoga, ride adult big wheels, jump 30’ onto a big air bag, learn to fly cast, hop on the pumptrack, take a shuttle to the top of Mill Mountain for a downhill ride, go for a group trail run, go for a night run, take a hike, chillax in an ENO hammock . . . and that’s just off the top of our head. There truly is something for everyone.
Daytime at GO Fest is filled with checking out gear, testing your skills, goofing off, catching up with friends, noshing on grub, and sipping a beverage (or two).
But as the sun sets and the moon comes out the day ain’t over. It’s time to head back to your campsite (free camping) and swap your active wear for your dance wear. GO Fest has partnered with the music-minded geniuses behind FloydFest to provide nightly concerts – and a Silent Disco DJ Tent – to boogie the night away.
And the best part (other than being 100% free) . . . you get to go to sleep, wake up the next day, and do it again. Learn more at roanokegofest.com.
