Learn Archives - Roanoke GO Fest

GRAB That Trash! and SORT IT!

GRAB That Trash: The Great Trash Race Use trash grabbers to pick up trash as you race your friends and/or family. Who will be the fastest trash grabber in Roanoke? It's up to you to help keep the Valley clean...

Earl B. Hunter, Jr. (Black Folks Camp, Too) Campfire Chat

Oct 15th: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

The Earl B. Hunter, Jr., story is powerful one. After a high-flying career as an executive in global sales, Earl went camping for the first time in Western North Carolina and was suddenly “all in.” While working for Sylvansport RV...

Leandra Taylor of Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards Campfire Chat

Oct 16th: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Join Leandra Taylor and Humble Hustle at the Mast General Store Campfire Stage as they discuss Leandra's passion for science and the outdoors, wilderness stewardship, reconnecting people of color with nature, and her experience as the youngest Black female Outdoor...

Xavier Duckett with Humble Hustle Campfire Chat

Oct 14th: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Join Xavier Duckett with The Humble Hustle Company at the Mast General Store Campfire Stage as he discusses his journey with the non-profit program to empower Black youth in Roanoke.

Outdoor Personal Safety Discussion, Q&A, and Demonstration

Oct 16th: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Join martial artist Tiffany Lee as she aims to provide practical, realistic information for everyone who enjoys outdoor activities. She will focus on identifying potentially dangerous situations, evaluating risks, and the practicalities of protecting yourself while under extreme stress. Demonstrations...

Roanoke Diversity Center Q&A Panel Campfire Chat

Oct 15th: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join the president of the Roanoke Diversity Center Board, Peter Volosin, as he leads a panel discussion regarding sports and recreation access for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies here in the Roanoke Valley. Volosin will be joined by local athletes...

Cooking in the Outdoors with John Park

Oct 16th: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Local foodie and food influencer John Park will grace the Mast General Store Campfire Stage to show us that even when you're roughin' it, you can make delicious meals in the great outdoors. _______ With passion for food and beverage...

Hike It Baby Campfire Chat

Oct 15th: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

NEW THIS YEAR--the Campfire Stage presented by Mast General Store! Join Hike It Baby at GO Fest this year for their campfire chat "There is No Bad Weather, Only Bad Clothing: How to Keep Your Child Safe and Comfortable Outside...

First Aid and Plant Identification

Oct 15th: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Learn important outdoor skills like how to treat injuries and recognize plant life around you with The Humble Hustle's first aid and plant identification demonstrations.

Birding Demonstrations

Oct 15th: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Get a look into the wonderful world of wildlife with the Humble Hustle Outdoor Culture birding and fishing demonstrations. Birding will be in the Outdoor Culture area, Fishing will take place at the Orvis Casting Pond.

Leave No Trace Activity: Would you drink it?

Oct 16th: 11:00 am - 11:30 am

Bodies of water might seem impervious to human activity, but the choices we make can have profound impacts on water quality and on aquatic life. Join Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team members Elena & Jesse for engaging discussion and activities...

Leave No Trace Activity: Bear Poop vs Dog Poop & How to Be a Responsible Pet Owner

Oct 14th: 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Enjoying the outdoors with a beloved pet can offer many physical and emotional health benefits. Just as disposing of waste properly is very important for humans, it also applies to the waste from our pets. Join Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team...

Leave No Trace Activities: Trash Timeline & Yield Triangle

Using the power of science, education and stewardship, Leave No Trace is on a mission to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet. This includes disposing of waste properly, leaving places better than you found them, and...

How to Be a Leave No Trace Champion

Oct 15th: 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Join Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team members Elena & Jesse for engaging discussion and activities that explore how to enjoy the outdoor spaces you love in an environmentally sustainable way. Ever wondered about ways to avoid disturbing wildlife, why not...

Crosscut Saw Bucking Stand

Participants will have an opportunity walk up to the SAWS tent and use a crosscut saw to cut a small slice (cookie) off a log. Take the cookie home, if you like!

Mountain Shepherd Scavenger Hunt

Get a taste of the Mountain Shepherd experience by completing a scavenger hunt around Go Fest! Find each flag using the clues given, and use the punch attached to each flag to mark your card. Once you have punched all...

Broad Security – Women’s Outdoor Safety w/RCPD

Oct 15th: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The Sports Broads, in collaboration with the Roanoke City Police Department, will host Lt. Jennifer Boswell & other RCPD officers on-site to talk and provide tips, advice, instruction and resources for women to keep moving freely & safely in a...

Young Women in the Outdoors

Oct 15th: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Oct 16th: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Love the outdoors? Of course you do - you're at GO Fest! Join ACC staff to learn more about careers in the outdoors and complete a trail work project in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest and return to...

Fishing Demonstrations

Oct 15th: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Talk Rocks with A VT Geologist

Oct 16th: 12:00 pm -

Visit the Humble Hustle Co Outdoor Culture Area for an opportunity to learn about the ground under our feet from a geologist from Virginia Tech.

Renew & Restore Wellness

Come try out our Normatec compression therapy. Joint pain or other aches? Local cryotherapy! Too much fun last night? Try an iv hangover treatment. Notmatec and cryotherapy are free, IV treatment is available for purchase.

Oct 14th: 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Oct 15th: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Oct 16th: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Join us for a fun trivia game related to all things hiking. Topics will include the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. All players will get a sticker for participating. Those who answer 5 questions correctly...

Leave No Trace Campfire Chat: COVID’s Impact on the Outdoors

Oct 16th: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Many of you have heard of Leave No Trace (LNT), the philosophy used to protect our natural resources and minimize our impact on the environment. However, with the unparalleled increase in outdoor recreation since 2020, our trails, campsites, parks, and...

Oct 15th: 9:30 am - 11:30 am

Local Environmental Agriculture Project (LEAP), partnering with Cardinal Bicycle and Ride Solutions, will meet at GO Fest at 9:30 am on Saturday, Oct. 15 for a guided ride from downtown, stopping at Morningside Community Garden, then the Grandin Village Farmers...

Knot Tying

Camp Alta Mons staff will be teaching a variety of knots! Stop by and learn to tie knots such as the figure 8, trucker's hitch, bowline, tautline, and more!

Van Tour

Come check out our camper van and all of its cool amenities! Find out how we sleep & seat up to 8 people with our different set up configurations and hear stories from actual Vandoit owners about their life on...

Lapidary Demo

Oct 14th: 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Oct 15th: 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Oct 15th: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Oct 15th: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Oct 16th: 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Oct 16th: 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm

I will take a rock and explain the process of cutting and polishing natural stones creating beautiful pendants.

Learn