Three-day Outdoor Sports and Music Festival Breaks the Mold
Roanoke, VA – The Anthem GO Outside Festival (GO Fest) proved itself as a premier outdoor festival, drawing 44,000 attendees and redefining what it means to celebrate the outdoors. Hosted in Roanoke, VA (one of The 24 Best Mountain Towns in the U.S.), GO Fest has emerged as a must-attend event for outdoor enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.
A Unique Dual-Location Experience
GO Fest sets itself apart by offering an extensive “metro mountain” experience across two unique locations. At the heart of downtown Roanoke, the Elmwood Park basecamp took over eight city blocks with activities ranging from BMX stunt shows and live outdoor-themed art to kayak demos, highline slackliners, and live music. Attendees could also explore the “Adventure Outpost” at the nearby Explore Park, an well-appointed outdoor recreation area less than 15 minutes away, where they enjoyed camping, the Ultimate Air Dog show, gear demos, trail building workshops, and even acrobatic paramotor performances.
“Our goal was to merge the vibrant energy of downtown Roanoke with the adventure and scenery of Explore Park.” GO Fest event manager Kait Pedigo noted, “we had thousands come out to both locations and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Folks are looking forward to the Festival growing into this expanded format.”
Building a New Kind of Outdoor Community
GO Fest is more than a festival —it’s a hands-on outing built for thousands and designed to get people of all ages and backgrounds excited about the outdoors. Each year, new activities help diversify the experience and engage attendees in ways few other festivals can match. This year’s standouts included:
- Mountainfilm on Tour: Hosted by Mast General Store, this film festival showcased inspiring films and hosted panels on topics like public lands funding and conservation.
- Cycling Initiatives: The City’s temporary cycle track and “bike bus” led by Roanoke Mountain Adventures introduced safer, more accessible cycling, while a “traffic garden” gave young cyclists a safe, hands-on way to practice.
- Walkabout Wild Gear Chase: A two-hour scavenger hunt, offering $20,000 in gear prizes, added a competitive twist with checkpoints spread throughout downtown.
- $5 5K by RunAbout Sports: This affordable race saw impressive turnout, with many participants completing their very first 5K.
A Community of Change Makers
With an emphasis on sustainability, GO Fest is the perfect platform for brands focused on environmental impact. Partnering with Oboz, GO Fest the planting of 200+ trees and led trail rehabilitation projects at Explore Park and Mill Mountain. The GO Fest Green Team’s efforts reduced plastic use by 28%, recycled 920 pounds of waste, and collected 500 pounds of compost.
Festivalgoers also supported Hurricane Helene relief in North Carolina by donating 70 bags of winter clothing and raising $10,000 for the Outdoor Business Alliance of North Carolina. These efforts solidify GO Fest’s commitment to giving back to the larger outdoor community.
Why National Brands Should Join GO Fest 2025 GO Fest is more than an event; it’s a celebration of outdoor adventure, community, and sustainability. Whether you’re looking to showcase your latest gear, engage directly with consumers, or support environmental initiatives, GO Fest offers unparalleled access to a community that values the outdoors as much as your brand does.
GO Fest by the Data
- 350+ volunteers
- 18 Unique Gear Demos
- 22% reduction in Single-use plastic
- 1420 lbs of waste recycled or composted
- $10,000 and ~70 bags of warm clothes donated to Hurricane Helene relief
- $20,000 in outdoor gear prizes
- 32 pro athlete shows
- 102 unique activities
- 22 unique points of view (Campfire Stage speakers, panels, storytellers and films)
- Two close locations: Elmwood Park & Explore Park
- 200+ trees planted thanks to Oboz
- $3 million in economic impact
- 44,000 attendees
- One very happy outdoor community
With attendance continuing to grow, don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this unique outdoor gathering. Contact event manager Kait Pedigo at kait@roanokeoutside.org or 301-848-8042 to learn more about sponsorship, booth space, and engagement opportunities for October 17-19, 2025.
GO Fest is where the outdoor industry and the outdoor community meet—mark your calendars and be part of something unforgettable!