GO Fest Schedule
Watch It, Try It, Race It, Live It! This schedule has all the activities, shows, races, and demos going on at GO Fest. It will continue to be updated and grow with new events and exhibitors as the event approaches!
How to use it — Watch the video!
- Sort by date using the tabs on the top.
- Sort by type of event, or the host with the menu to the left on desktop/below on mobile.
- Click the stars on the right to save your favorites and come back to them in the “Favorites” tab on top. (Favorites are saved for 30 days!)
Leveraging the Outdoors to Attract Business & Talent: Panel Discussion and G2KN Social Pop-Up
The panel discussion will encompass the regional efforts to establish Roanoke as a rich outdoor destination ready for growth in the form of new business and an expanding workforce. The discussion will accompany a pop-up social where attendees can network and enjoy a “Plant Your Own Succulent” activity (limited to first 50 attendees).
Demo Pool presented by the Department of Wildlife Resources
The Demo Pool presented by the Department of Wildlife Resources is your opportunity to try out kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards from several different vendors. Always a GO Fest favorite! Be sure to bring a towel.
We’ll have boats from Verus Kayaks, Mountain 2 Island, and Roanoke Outfitting and Adventures. Shout out to Roanoke Outfitting and Adventures and Buffalo Mountain Adventures for helping us manage the demo pool!
Lumberjack Show presented by Member One
Captivating audiences for the past 25 years, Timberwork’s Lumberjack Shows provides images of man against the impossible, competing in a sport derived out of a nation’s heritage. Come watch the axes fly, chainsaws roar, and some super-human Lumberjack feats that’ll have you jumping out of your seats!
Be sure to stop by the Member One FCU tent and give them a high five for bringing the lumberjack show to GO Fest.
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain
festivals in the world!
Hot on the heels of the Festival that is held every fall in beautiful Banff, Alberta, the
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour hits the road. With stops planned in over 600
communities and more than 40 countries across the globe, the Banff World Tour celebrates amazing
achievements in outdoor storytelling and filmmaking worldwide.
From the over 400 entries submitted into the Festival each year, award-winners and audience favorites
are among the films that are carefully selected to play in theatres around the world.
Traveling to remote vistas, analyzing topical environmental issues, and bringing audiences up-close and
personal with adrenaline-packed action sports the 2023/2024 World Tour is an exhilarating and
provocative exploration of the mountain world.
Join Mast General Story when Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings the
spirit of outdoor adventure to the Anthem GO Outside Festival at Elmwood Park, October 13 at 7:30pm.
GO Fest will feature films such as The Fastest Girl in the Village, Nuisance Bear, and Danny MacAskill’s Do A Wheelie.
Silent Disco
5K on the ROA Runway
The second annual 5K on the ROA Runway at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport will take place October 14, 2023. This family-friendly 5K run/walk is open to all ages and abilities.
Hosted by the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, the 5K on the ROA Runway will raise funds for Carilion Clinic Cancer Center in memory of Julie Jeavons. Julie was the wife of David Jeavons, ROA’s Director of Finance and Administration, who lost her fight with cancer in 2021.
The race will begin at approximately 9 a.m. on October 14. Race day parking is located in the lot at 1410 Coulter Drive. NW, Roanoke, VA 24012.
- $35 if registering by August 16 at 11:59 p.m.
- $45 if registering between August 17-31
- $55 if registering between September 1-15 (registering before September 15 guarantees a race shirt)
- $55 if registering between September 16 – October 12 (no shirt guarantee)
Young Women in the Outdoors
Demo Pool presented by the Department of Wildlife Resources
The Demo Pool presented by the Department of Wildlife Resources is your opportunity to try out kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards from several different vendors. Always a GO Fest favorite! Be sure to bring a towel.
We’ll have boats from Verus Kayaks, Mountain 2 Island, and Roanoke Outfitting and Adventures. Shout out to Roanoke Outfitting and Adventures and Buffalo Mountain Adventures for helping us manage the demo pool!
The Kind
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
Super Carlin Brothers Pop Corn Podcast Live Recording
The Super Carlin Brothers, J and Ben Carlin, will host a live recording of their Pop Corn Podcast. The Super Carlin Brothers are advocates for Roanoke and for the outdoors as well as YouTube-famous podcast hosts with the mission of providing a welcoming corner of the internet for folks to come together and share in their fandoms. They will also have their Carlin Brothers Coffee for sale which benefits Feeding Southwest Virginia.
Create your own eco-friendly re-usable tote bag with Grateful Gypsy
Join Grateful Gypsy to create and take home your own eco-friendly reusable market tote bag. We’ll supply the materials and inspiration, be sure to bring your creativity and imagination! Register now for the event time/date that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule!
Registration via Grateful Gypsy’s website is required to participate and each member in your party must be registered in order to participate; 1 ticket purchase is required for each member of your party that wishes to participate. Your registration assists us in knowing the number of materials/staff needed for the weekend.
Our event is designed for ages 6+. Youth participants must have parental or guardianship supervision for the duration of the event.
A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Be sure that you are selecting the date/time for the activity that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule; if you miss your scheduled registration time, we are not able to move you to a new date/time and refunds will not be given.
The Ambassador
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
Lumberjack Show presented by Member One
Captivating audiences for the past 25 years, Timberwork’s Lumberjack Shows provides images of man against the impossible, competing in a sport derived out of a nation’s heritage. Come watch the axes fly, chainsaws roar, and some super-human Lumberjack feats that’ll have you jumping out of your seats!
Be sure to stop by the Member One FCU tent and give them a high five for bringing the lumberjack show to GO Fest.
Create your own eco-friendly re-usable tote bag with Grateful Gypsy
Join Grateful Gypsy to create and take home your own eco-friendly reusable market tote bag. We’ll supply the materials and inspiration, be sure to bring your creativity and imagination! Register now for the event time/date that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule!
Registration via Grateful Gypsy’s website is required to participate and each member in your party must be registered in order to participate; 1 ticket purchase is required for each member of your party that wishes to participate. Your registration assists us in knowing the number of materials/staff needed for the weekend.
Our event is designed for ages 6+. Youth participants must have parental or guardianship supervision for the duration of the event.
A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Be sure that you are selecting the date/time for the activity that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule; if you miss your scheduled registration time, we are not able to move you to a new date/time and refunds will not be given.
James Gregory: The Ethnic Explorer
Gregory was 5 years old living in Drakes Branch, VA (population: 500) when his passion for nature began to grow through mountain biking, paddle boarding, and hiking. He will speak on promoting diversity within outdoor spaces and his steadfast belief that nature belongs to all. He derives joy from sharing his experiences outdoors and will encourage listeners to delve into less explored paths.
Lazy Man Dub Band
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
Lazy Man Dub Band is a reggae band hailing from Roanoke, Virginia. Formed in 2007, the band is comprised of 9 talented musicians who share a passion for the one drop grooves of classic reggae music. Their sound is anchored by a tight and soulful rhythm section, complemented by a powerful horn section that adds an extra layer of depth and energy to their live performances.
Lazy Man Dub Band draws inspiration from the great reggae bands of the past, such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Skatalites, and The Maytals. Their music combines classic elements of roots reggae, dub, and one drop with a modern sensibility, resulting in a sound that is both timeless and fresh.
The band’s live shows are renowned for their high energy and infectious grooves, as well as their tight musicianship and improvisational flair. Whether playing at local clubs and festivals or opening for national acts, Lazy Man Dub Band always brings their A-game and leaves audiences wanting more.
With a dedicated fan base and a growing reputation as one of the top reggae bands in the region, Lazy Man Dub Band is poised for even greater success in the years to come. Whether you’re a die-hard reggae fan or simply love great music, be sure to catch Lazy Man Dub Band at their next show!
Lumberjack Show presented by Member One
Captivating audiences for the past 25 years, Timberwork’s Lumberjack Shows provides images of man against the impossible, competing in a sport derived out of a nation’s heritage. Come watch the axes fly, chainsaws roar, and some super-human Lumberjack feats that’ll have you jumping out of your seats!
Be sure to stop by the Member One FCU tent and give them a high five for bringing the lumberjack show to GO Fest.
Parks Director Panel Discussion
Topics will delve into the development of regional outdoor assets like the Roanoke River Greenway, Explore Park, and Waid Park. Attendees will get to hear about both the visionary mindset and organizational reality of this progress from the point of view of municipal parks and recreation departments. The Directors who will be speaking will be Michael Clark from City of Roanoke, Allen Hayes from Roanoke County, and Paul Chapman from Franklin County.
Create your own eco-friendly re-usable tote bag with Grateful Gypsy
Join Grateful Gypsy to create and take home your own eco-friendly reusable market tote bag. We’ll supply the materials and inspiration, be sure to bring your creativity and imagination! Register now for the event time/date that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule!
Registration via Grateful Gypsy’s website is required to participate and each member in your party must be registered in order to participate; 1 ticket purchase is required for each member of your party that wishes to participate. Your registration assists us in knowing the number of materials/staff needed for the weekend.
Our event is designed for ages 6+. Youth participants must have parental or guardianship supervision for the duration of the event.
A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Be sure that you are selecting the date/time for the activity that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule; if you miss your scheduled registration time, we are not able to move you to a new date/time and refunds will not be given.
Social Assassins, a side project by Gabriel Marin, of Consider the Source
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
Asia Bright, Black Girls Hike
Asia Bright was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where she began a grassroots effort to bring more black people in her community outdoors, ultimately sparking the Black Girls Hike movement. Bright will share how Black Girls Hike showcases a community of black and brown outdoor enthusiasts through storytelling content and curated hiking and travel experiences from all over the world. Bright will speak about how she built this community and what it means for the greater outdoor community.
Create your own eco-friendly re-usable tote bag with Grateful Gypsy
Join Grateful Gypsy to create and take home your own eco-friendly reusable market tote bag. We’ll supply the materials and inspiration, be sure to bring your creativity and imagination! Register now for the event time/date that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule!
Registration via Grateful Gypsy’s website is required to participate and each member in your party must be registered in order to participate; 1 ticket purchase is required for each member of your party that wishes to participate. Your registration assists us in knowing the number of materials/staff needed for the weekend.
Our event is designed for ages 6+. Youth participants must have parental or guardianship supervision for the duration of the event.
A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Be sure that you are selecting the date/time for the activity that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule; if you miss your scheduled registration time, we are not able to move you to a new date/time and refunds will not be given.
Lumberjack Show presented by Member One
Captivating audiences for the past 25 years, Timberwork’s Lumberjack Shows provides images of man against the impossible, competing in a sport derived out of a nation’s heritage. Come watch the axes fly, chainsaws roar, and some super-human Lumberjack feats that’ll have you jumping out of your seats!
Be sure to stop by the Member One FCU tent and give them a high five for bringing the lumberjack show to GO Fest.
Magic Beans
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
Magic Beans have a passion for music that is as infectious as their songs, both of which have gained them national notoriety in a short time. The band honors the wide diaspora of American music by incorporating the flavors of funk, R’n’B, rock, soul, and even some country influence into a complete package that is noticeably their own. Their latest release, Unzipped, is an all instrumental tribute to lo-fi recording techniques, hip hop beat tapes, and 90’s neo-soul. Previous studio releases like, Slice of Life, showcase the bands’ depth of songwriting and composition as well as their knack for catchy lyrics. The Beans have extensively toured their analog dance music and neo-jam across the whole country, earning them an expansive fanbase.
Seamlessly combining the familiar tones and accessible sounds of the past with a modern spin makes the band a hit with music fans of any generation. Their soulful songs and entrancing dance grooves will fill your cup and leave you wanting more. Intended to move your body and your heart, the band draws you in with their music and their wonderful fanbase, Team Bean, makes sure you stick around. With an impressive repertoire of 100+ songs and resume of 1000+ shows in their wake as a young group, Magic Beans are sure to be one of those bands you’ll keep your ear on for a long time.
The Werks
The main event, The Werks, hit the GO Outside Festival Mainstage, Saturday at 9pm.
On their latest LP Magic , melodic visionaries The Werks transcend their funk rock roots while never
losing their identity. Poignant songwriting and engaging improvisation come together on a record that
showcases their maturation as a multidimensional group of uniquely creative musicians.
The virtuosic rhythm junkies of The Werks have released four highly acclaimed studio albums over
the past ten years – Synapse (2009), The Werks (2012), Mr. Smalls Sessions (2014), and Inside a
Dream (2015) – performed well over one thousand shows (including launching their own multi-day
music festival The Werk Out), and released countless live recordings including last year’s Live at the
Werk Out 2016 live album. In that time they’ve earned a devoted fan base across the world and
reputation as one of the most energetic, compelling, and downright entertaining live acts in the
business. They’ve developed a hard won confidence, and a willingness to fearlessly chart new sonic
territory on Magic.
“This is our first truly multi-genre album” says Chris Houser. “Each track has its own unique vibe and
sound. We didn’t write these songs to please people, we wrote them because this is what we hear
when we turn off the outside and let the creativity flow.”
GO Fest Music presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary.
Details
Tickets: Free Entry thanks to Anthem
Rules: No outside food or beverage. No weapons or drugs. Blankets and stadium seats are ok – but you’ll want to be dancing anyway.
Silent Disco
Demo Pool presented by the Department of Wildlife Resources
The Demo Pool presented by the Department of Wildlife Resources is your opportunity to try out kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards from several different vendors. Always a GO Fest favorite! Be sure to bring a towel.
We’ll have boats from Verus Kayaks, Mountain 2 Island, and Roanoke Outfitting and Adventures. Shout out to Roanoke Outfitting and Adventures and Buffalo Mountain Adventures for helping us manage the demo pool!
Colby T. Helms & The Virginia Creepers
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
At the bottom of the Southwest Virginia foothills, in Franklin County, south of Roanoke, about a half-mile from the nearest neighbor, Colby T. Helms resides in an underground house built by his late father. He chops wood daily for the stove, hunts, and takes care of his mom. He also pens raw and real storytelling music that cuts to the bone. Colby suffered the loss of his dad to cancer when he was only 12 years old. Beset by sadness and loneliness, he turned to music. He taught himself guitar, banjo, and mandolin by watching local performers and videos. He amassed a growing record collection, combing through the stacks at flea markets and browsing online. He began to perform countless gigs around the area with his band, The Virginia Creepers. He also shared a series of performance videos on YouTube. Colby’s honest songwriting, raw vocals and talented guitar licks began turning heads, and with a debut album on the not-too-distant horizon, it won’t be long before the music world takes notice of Colby T. Helms.
Amber Wendler, Ph.D. Candidate in Biological Sciences at Virginia Tech
Amber Wendler kicks off the day sharing her passion for making science and the outdoors more inclusive. Wendler has a breadth of outdoor experiences from field research, outdoor education, volunteer work, and recreation that has taken her across the U.S. and Latin America. As a co-editor of the book Been Outside: Adventures of Black Women, Nonbinary, and Gender Nonconforming People in Nature, and as a runner; backpacker; birdwatcher; and kayaker, Wendler offers her perspective on storytelling in the outdoors and amplifying voices that have been silenced and excluded.
Create your own eco-friendly re-usable tote bag with Grateful Gypsy
Join Grateful Gypsy to create and take home your own eco-friendly reusable market tote bag. We’ll supply the materials and inspiration, be sure to bring your creativity and imagination! Register now for the event time/date that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule!
Registration via Grateful Gypsy’s website is required to participate and each member in your party must be registered in order to participate; 1 ticket purchase is required for each member of your party that wishes to participate. Your registration assists us in knowing the number of materials/staff needed for the weekend.
Our event is designed for ages 6+. Youth participants must have parental or guardianship supervision for the duration of the event.
A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Be sure that you are selecting the date/time for the activity that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule; if you miss your scheduled registration time, we are not able to move you to a new date/time and refunds will not be given.
Lumberjack Show presented by Member One
Captivating audiences for the past 25 years, Timberwork’s Lumberjack Shows provides images of man against the impossible, competing in a sport derived out of a nation’s heritage. Come watch the axes fly, chainsaws roar, and some super-human Lumberjack feats that’ll have you jumping out of your seats!
Be sure to stop by the Member One FCU tent and give them a high five for bringing the lumberjack show to GO Fest.
Laney Jones
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
Press play on Jones’ mesmerizing new album, Stories Up High, and you’ll find yourself transported there, too. Recorded at East Nashville’s famed Bomb Shelter studio with producer Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Langhorne Slim), the collection is lush and immersive, with rich, elegant arrangements that ebb and flow beneath Jones’ velveteen vocals. The performances here are graceful and timeless, evoking a faded, old Hollywood glamour full of longing and melancholy, but dig a bit beneath the surface and you’ll find that Jones is actually an optimist at heart, a believer in the relentless beauty of this mixed-up world. She wrote the album in what she describes as a “flow state,” surrendering herself to the creative process the way a monk might approach meditation, and the result is a captivating, cinematic work that’s equal parts stream-of-consciousness and careful introspection, an honest, intuitive record that hints at everything from Angel Olsen and Judy Garland to Brandi Carlile and Andy Shauf as it reckons with growth, change, and the very fabric of life itself.
Create your own eco-friendly re-usable tote bag with Grateful Gypsy
Join Grateful Gypsy to create and take home your own eco-friendly reusable market tote bag. We’ll supply the materials and inspiration, be sure to bring your creativity and imagination! Register now for the event time/date that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule!
Registration via Grateful Gypsy’s website is required to participate and each member in your party must be registered in order to participate; 1 ticket purchase is required for each member of your party that wishes to participate. Your registration assists us in knowing the number of materials/staff needed for the weekend.
Our event is designed for ages 6+. Youth participants must have parental or guardianship supervision for the duration of the event.
A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Be sure that you are selecting the date/time for the activity that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule; if you miss your scheduled registration time, we are not able to move you to a new date/time and refunds will not be given.
Virginia Electric
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
Lumberjack Show presented by Member One
Captivating audiences for the past 25 years, Timberwork’s Lumberjack Shows provides images of man against the impossible, competing in a sport derived out of a nation’s heritage. Come watch the axes fly, chainsaws roar, and some super-human Lumberjack feats that’ll have you jumping out of your seats!
Be sure to stop by the Member One FCU tent and give them a high five for bringing the lumberjack show to GO Fest.
Outside Magazine Get Outside Tour: Essentials for Outdoor Living
The Get Outside Tour by Outside Magazine presents on the essentials to outdoor life. After hearing from speakers on the cultivation of the outdoors through communities, public lands, and an outdoor-focused business climate, attendees will be ready to get outside and start growing their own outdoor groups. They will hear from experts on the nuts and bolts of going on outings and may even walk away with some free gear.
Led Zeppelin 2
Free music on the Elmwood Stage, presented in partnership with 5 Points Music Sanctuary!
Create your own eco-friendly re-usable tote bag with Grateful Gypsy
Join Grateful Gypsy to create and take home your own eco-friendly reusable market tote bag. We’ll supply the materials and inspiration, be sure to bring your creativity and imagination! Register now for the event time/date that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule!
Registration via Grateful Gypsy’s website is required to participate and each member in your party must be registered in order to participate; 1 ticket purchase is required for each member of your party that wishes to participate. Your registration assists us in knowing the number of materials/staff needed for the weekend.
Our event is designed for ages 6+. Youth participants must have parental or guardianship supervision for the duration of the event.
A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Be sure that you are selecting the date/time for the activity that best meets your Roanoke GO Outside Festival visit schedule; if you miss your scheduled registration time, we are not able to move you to a new date/time and refunds will not be given.
Camping at Explore Park
Festival camping is available at Explore Park
Thanks to our friends at Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism!
Stay at Explore Park during GO Fest! In addition to the offerings of Don’s Cab-Inns, registration for primitive camping is now open for GO Fest attendees. This is a great way to experience the metro-mountain lifestyle we love so much.
For those spending part of their GO Fest weekend at Explore Park, we’re offering a free, courtesy shuttle to transport attendees back and forth between Elmwood Park and Explore Park. The shuttle will run hourly from GO Fest to Explore Park from Friday to Sunday.
River Rock Painting
The Camp Bethel Outdoors booth will offer “River Rock Painting” (using rocks to create paint – not painting on rocks) as an activity for visitors to enjoy. At Camp, one of our camper’s favorite activities is creek exploration. Campers love finding out you can turn river rocks into paint with just a little bit of water and some friction and emerge from head to toe adorned with the colors of the creek. We will bring a selection of rocks straight from Camp Bethel and a shallow water bin to produce different colors so that visitors can learn to rock paint!
Gear Exchange Booth
Since the beginning of this event the Blue Ridge Mountains Council has provided the personnel to operate this booth at the event to help anyone who would like to buy, sell or trade sporting type items to do so at whatever price they wish to ask. The Boy Scouts simply help the two parties to connect and do not receive any commissions in this process.
If your items do not sell and you think our Scouts or camp could use this for future activities, donate your gear to the Scouts. Please be aware that we have moved to much smaller offices and we have very limited ability to receive donations in this same manner.
Vermicomposting Demonstration
“Do you want to see my worms?” This year we will not only explain about the importance of composting by showing off our worm bin, but we will also have a demonstration of how to make your very own worm bin at home using simple materials you can find at Walmart or the Dollar General.
We always offer handouts and we will also have a display board with the information.
DICK’S Sporting Goods Scavenger Hunt
At DICK’S we believe sports matter and getting outside (or even staying inside) to play sports helps build character and a healthy lifestyle. During the festival, attendees can seek out 5 sports balls hidden throughout the festival site. Take a selfie with the five sports balls and return to the DICK’S tent located next to Elmwood Park to receive a special prize and enter for a chance to win a daily Grand Prize to include a Kayak, Camping Package or Tailgate grill/cooler package. Visit our tent location for more details!
SUP Inflation Races
The Wild Way will have stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) on display next to the Demo Pool. Come join us for some SUP inflation races and win a prize!
DryFoxCo Hiker Packing Challenge
DryFoxCo will be hosting a packing challenge! Our mission is to create lightweight gear so you can adventure lighter & smarter. Participants will pack a DryFoxCo daypack full of the hiking essentials, choosing from a variety of gear items provided, with the goal of packing everything they need for a day hike. Participants will then be asked to guess the weight of their packs. The participant closest to the exact weight will win a DryFoxCo daypack and towel. All other participants will also win prizes. The goal of this activity is to encourage participants of all ages to learn the weights of different hiking gear and learn how to pack lighter.
Climbing Wall
Thanks to our partnership with The Peaks Retreat and Adventure Center, you can come try out your climbing skills on the GO Fest climbing wall. Race you to the top!
Bouldering Wall
Back by popular demand, come try your hand at the Go Fest Bouldering Wall!
Camping at Explore Park
Festival camping is available at Explore Park
Thanks to our friends at Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism!
Stay at Explore Park during GO Fest! In addition to the offerings of Don’s Cab-Inns, registration for primitive camping is now open for GO Fest attendees. This is a great way to experience the metro-mountain lifestyle we love so much.
For those spending part of their GO Fest weekend at Explore Park, we’re offering a free, courtesy shuttle to transport attendees back and forth between Elmwood Park and Explore Park. The shuttle will run hourly from GO Fest to Explore Park from Friday to Sunday.
River Rock Painting
The Camp Bethel Outdoors booth will offer “River Rock Painting” (using rocks to create paint – not painting on rocks) as an activity for visitors to enjoy. At Camp, one of our camper’s favorite activities is creek exploration. Campers love finding out you can turn river rocks into paint with just a little bit of water and some friction and emerge from head to toe adorned with the colors of the creek. We will bring a selection of rocks straight from Camp Bethel and a shallow water bin to produce different colors so that visitors can learn to rock paint!
Gear Exchange Booth
Since the beginning of this event the Blue Ridge Mountains Council has provided the personnel to operate this booth at the event to help anyone who would like to buy, sell or trade sporting type items to do so at whatever price they wish to ask. The Boy Scouts simply help the two parties to connect and do not receive any commissions in this process.
If your items do not sell and you think our Scouts or camp could use this for future activities, donate your gear to the Scouts. Please be aware that we have moved to much smaller offices and we have very limited ability to receive donations in this same manner.
Vermicomposting Demonstration
“Do you want to see my worms?” This year we will not only explain about the importance of composting by showing off our worm bin, but we will also have a demonstration of how to make your very own worm bin at home using simple materials you can find at Walmart or the Dollar General.
We always offer handouts and we will also have a display board with the information.
DICK’S Sporting Goods Scavenger Hunt
At DICK’S we believe sports matter and getting outside (or even staying inside) to play sports helps build character and a healthy lifestyle. During the festival, attendees can seek out 5 sports balls hidden throughout the festival site. Take a selfie with the five sports balls and return to the DICK’S tent located next to Elmwood Park to receive a special prize and enter for a chance to win a daily Grand Prize to include a Kayak, Camping Package or Tailgate grill/cooler package. Visit our tent location for more details!
SUP Inflation Races
The Wild Way will have stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) on display next to the Demo Pool. Come join us for some SUP inflation races and win a prize!
DryFoxCo Hiker Packing Challenge
DryFoxCo will be hosting a packing challenge! Our mission is to create lightweight gear so you can adventure lighter & smarter. Participants will pack a DryFoxCo daypack full of the hiking essentials, choosing from a variety of gear items provided, with the goal of packing everything they need for a day hike. Participants will then be asked to guess the weight of their packs. The participant closest to the exact weight will win a DryFoxCo daypack and towel. All other participants will also win prizes. The goal of this activity is to encourage participants of all ages to learn the weights of different hiking gear and learn how to pack lighter.
Climbing Wall
Thanks to our partnership with The Peaks Retreat and Adventure Center, you can come try out your climbing skills on the GO Fest climbing wall. Race you to the top!
Bouldering Wall
Back by popular demand, come try your hand at the Go Fest Bouldering Wall!
Click the stars next to your favorite events and they will be saved under the “Favorites” tab for future reference.
Our activities are unique, human-powered recreational and sustainability activities that support the outdoor community. Have an activity you think would be perfect for GO Fest? Let us know.
Follow @Roanokegofest on Instagram and Facebook for updates!
Or, if you like being the first to know, sign up for our email newsletter!
