The 14th annual Anthem GO Outside Festival (GO Fest) is set to return to Roanoke, VA, from October 18-20, with an exciting expansion that adds a second location at Explore Park. This expansion aims to enhance the festival experience with the debut of the new “Adventure Outpost” at Explore Park while maintaining its bustling “Festival Basecamp” at Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke. A complimentary shuttle will connect each location, offering on-going passage for all attendees.
Pete Eshelman, director of the Roanoke Outside Foundation and founder of the Anthem GO Outside Festival, shares his excitement: “This year’s festival promises a true mountain-metro adventure. The ‘Festival Basecamp’ in downtown Roanoke will continue to buzz with energy, surrounded by restaurants, retail, and entertainment. Meanwhile, the ‘Adventure Outpost’ at Explore Park will provide a picturesque setting with its scenic beauty, mountains, trails, and river—perfect for camping, testing outdoor equipment, and enjoying the Ultimate Air Dog Show.”
Festival Basecamp at Elmwood Park highlights:
- Adventure Films – high energy and inspiring films on the amphitheater screen
- BMX Stunt Show – inspiring bike skills and gravity-defying aerial feats
- Lumberjack Show – chainsaws, axes, logs, and plenty of humor to go ‘round
- Free live music, DJs, and two nights of the silent disco – A.K.A. plenty of opportunities to dance
- Paddle zone with a pool for trying stand-up paddleboards and canoes
- Climbing area with climbing towers and slacklines
- Outdoor gear demos in all types of outdoor sports
- Talks and storytelling designed to build community and connection
- Over 100 outdoor exhibitors, including local non-profits, regional outdoor retail shops and outfitters, and national brands
Adventure Outpost at Explore Park highlights:
- Festival-style camping
- The Member One Ultimate Air Dog Show where dogs leap into a 40’ pool
- Van-life experiences designed to give attendees a taste of the nomadic lifestyle
- Treetop Quest aerial adventure course, including a special twilight hour offering
- Live music at Twin Creeks Brewpub
- Cabin, Yurt, and RV camping with Don’s Cab-Inns
- Hundreds of acres with hiking and biking trails and river access
“Explore Park’s natural beauty and outdoor activities create a perfect setting for the expansion of the GO Outside Festival,” says Allen Hayes, director of Roanoke County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. “This event adds to the variety of outdoor experiences we offer in Roanoke County, providing another great opportunity for community recreation and connection.”
“GO Fest has always been about celebrating the outdoor community here in the Roanoke Region,” says Patrick Boas, recreation manager at Roanoke City Parks and Recreation. “With the addition of Explore Park, we are excited to have our neighbors from the County join in and provide yet another fantastic opportunity to highlight what we have to offer in this metro-mountain town.”
On Sunday, October 20, The Adventure Outpost will also feature a “Try It” day where attendees will have the opportunity to use the park’s trails and greenspace for mountain bike demos, trail running, disc golf, and other activities hosted by outdoor exhibitors.
The expansion to Explore Park is not only a big move for the festival, but it is also a prime example of the Roanoke Region working together to play toward its strengths. Establishing festival experiences in both Roanoke City and Roanoke County showcases both localities’ cooperation and shared advocacy for the region’s reputation as a first-rate outdoor destination.