New stuff this year includes not only the Keen Timberworks Lumberjacks Show, but also a river clean-up and an adult lounge area.
The lumberjacks are coming … to the Anthem Go Outside Festival, that is.
The Keen Timberworks Lumberjack Show will debut at the free outdoor sports festival, Oct. 16-18, at River’s Edge in Roanoke. The free festival is a celebration of everything outdoors and includes more than you can possibly do in just three days.
The band of flannel-wearing, log-rolling and practical joking lumberjacks is sure to entertain. The professional show includes plenty of things you might expect, such as axe throwing, speed climbing, and plenty of wood chopping, mixed in with some twists you may not see coming. The Hayward, Wisconsin, troupe has been performing for more than 25 years and features “man against the impossible.”
The show will be quite the spectacle—and is family-friendly. You’ll see the lumberjacks in action in an environment that showcases their wide range of strength and skill. And it’s all in fun. The show is not a competition and there will be plenty of antics sprinkled in along the way.
This is the first year for the lumberjack show at GO Fest, which is in its fifth year.
There are other additions to the line-up this year as well. There will be new bouldering wall (and shoe demos), adult zone with activities and lounging areas for 21+, and a river clean-up with United By Blue. Plus, all the free activities and demos GO Fest has earned a reputation for over the years.
GO Fest is designed so you can get outside and get active with plenty of gear to try, demos, races and camping. There will be plenty of food and local craft brewers on hand, plus a stage with a great local music lineup. It’s the type of event where you can come for the day, or bring the tent and stay all weekend.
And you won’t be alone.
GO Fest has grown rapidly, drawing tens of thousands of participants. What began as a partnership between Roanoke Parks and Recreation and Roanoke Outside as a way to engage the outdoors community has evolved into one of the premier outdoor festivals in the country.
Some of the biggest names in the outdoors industry will be on-site with gear for you to test out. Grab a bike, sit in a kayak or try on a new pair of shoes. And this is top-notch gear. You can take out a bike that retails for $5,000 and ride it out on Mill Mountain or test a pair of new shoes during a group trail run.
Pick the brains of experts in hiking, biking and backpacking for the best tips and techniques to make the most of your next outing. If you have been thinking about trying something new, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of an opportunity to learn. There will be plenty of experts on hand to help you learn to do everything from cast a fly rod to cook over an open flame, or roll a kayak.
When you need a break from the action, you’ll have ample opportunity to wind down with plenty of other outdoors-loving people just like you. There’s something for every family member to do with a Kid’s Zone full of activities, and leashed dogs are welcome.
While the focus of GO Fest is fun, it is a good time to stop and think about the Roanoke Region’s natural assets and how to preserve them for future generations. Learn about outdoor initiatives happening in your community, conservation groups, trail building workshops, and opportunities to get involved.
