Roanoke GO Outside Festival Earns State Tourism Grant

The Roanoke Go Outside Festival gets a marketing boost as the recipient of a matching grant issued by the Virginia Tourism Corporation this month.

The outdoor festival, which is put on by Roanoke Outside and Roanoke Parks and Recreation, will receive $6,750 to leverage marketing initiatives for the event. This year’s festival is Oct. 14-16 at River’s Edge.

VTC grants are designed to help local and regional tourism entities attract more visitors by leveraging local marketing dollars, and will ultimately impact at least 159 other statewide tourism entities. The current cycle of funding provided more than $900,000 to 43 different organizations.

The grants have a multiplying effect, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore said: “Every dollar invested in these grants resulted in $16 of direct visitor spending. Additionally, marketing campaigns receiving MLP grant funds increased visitation by 15 percent. This kind of effective marketing results in more travelers coming to Virginia to stay longer and spend more money, injecting critical dollars into our economy.”

GO Fest attracted 25,000 people in 2015. The free event, now in its sixth year, is designed to encourage outdoor participation and involvement. Festival-goers walk around in the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, touch and try out gear, sample food and drink, listen and dance to live music, and have fun. You can come for the day, or bring the tent and stay all weekend.