Go to GO Fest Like a Pro

Posted on October 2nd, 2018

I couldn’t be more excited heading into the eighth Anthem GO Outside Festival this year.

The event – Oct. 12-14 at River’s Edge in Roanoke – is packed with everything outdoors. There’s stuff to watch, activities and races to participate in, live music, craft beer, gear to play with (and win or buy) … and it’s all outdoors.

We started GO Fest with Roanoke Parks and Recreation to promote healthy active lifestyles and all the fun that comes with outdoor recreation. We never knew this festival would balloon to three days and more than 35,000 people. (Thank you for supporting this free outdoor event.)

With a bigger festival than ever this year, I’ve got a few tips for you to maximize the number of things you do – because it can be tough to do and see it all.

  • Start by customizing your schedule on the website. Visit the schedule pages and click the star next to things you are interested in to add them to your personalized favorites tab. Then everything you want to see and do is in one location.
  • Visit the Used Gear Tent managed by the Boy Scouts. You can sell gently used gear you don’t need anymore or find new gear that’s just right. Just drop gear off with a price, they’ll keep an eye on it, and if someone wants to buy it, you come back and make the deal.
  • Nothing fits with the outdoors like a good craft beer or cider. You spoke, and we listened. The festival includes more beer options this year with breweries Deschutes, Parkway, Starr Hill, Big Lick, Soaring Ridge, Chaos Mountain, and Bold Rock Cider on hand. Beers are $6. Bring a steel pint, a cup from previous GO Fests, or get a 2018 cup onsite.
  • And the best part of GO Fest is that you can stay on site all weekend with multiple camping options (tent camping is free).

The Roanoke Outside Foundation thanks you for your continued support of GO Fest and your support (and that of our sponsors) in helping to keep admission to this event free. Circle the dates on your calendars (Oct. 12-14), bring your friends, bring your kids, bring your dogs (on a leash), and I’ll see you at River’s Edge.

More About GO Fest