Appalachian Trail Days Festival!!!

OVERVIEW

Hey all! I’m headed to the Appalachian Trail Days Festival in a couple of weeks and I’m super stoked. I initially wasn’t sure if I would just go alone or post it as a trip, but might as well see if a few people are interested and hopefully bring a few of my ODC friends along to this wild & wacky festival. Trail Days is an annual festival in Damascus, VA (Trail Town USA) centered around everything AT related, and it has presentations, lots of gear vendors, a wacky hiker parade, plenty of opportunities for nearby hiking, and much more.

Here’s the schedule:
Thursday
5PM ish: pick up at ur residence; drive to Damascus (about 4 hrs); dinner on the road
9PM: set up camp

Friday-Saturday:
Enjoy all the festivities!!! Here is the full festival guide:
https://www.visitdamascus.org/uploads/1/3/3/9/133901937/2024_trail_days_festival_guide_for_web.pdf
How y’all want to do this is entirely up to you. I have particular things I want to go to & will likely meet up w/ a couple of people I know from my thru hike. You’re welcome to go off on your own and do what you want, or if you’re unsure/feel awkward, you’re totally fine to follow me around the whole weekend. All I ask is that you make smart choices! I have heard there’s a bit of partying that typically occurs in the evening (which tbh I will in all likelihood not be participating in) & I hope to not have to excessively take care of anyone. I’ll probably be planning all of my activities day of based on what I feel like going to.

Sunday
6AM- leave for cville (I know it’s early but I want to be back for something and it’s my trip so I make the rules lol)
10AM- get back to cville

Cost Explanation:
Because this trip is not during the semester, lodging costs will not be reimbursed. It’s $20 to camp for the whole weekend. You’ll want to also have some kind of a food budget. I’d expect there will be a decent amount of free food, but also there’s going to be a ton of people. There will be food vendors and restaurants, or you can bring a camp stove & food to cook (I’ll prob do this to save some $)

Packing list:
-day clothes
-sleep clothes
-microfiber towel (there are showers)
-necessary toiletries
-tent
-sleeping pad
-sleeping bag
-headlamp
-rain jacket
-bag to bring things in
-water bottle
-comfy shoes
-If you want to hike, bring whatever you need for that
-portable charger
-If you want to cook, bring a pot (+ stove/fuel, or you can borrow mine)
-lots of stoke

I will have:
-water filter (there should be tap water access somewhere too)
-first aid kit (there’s also a first aid tent, but still)
-pocketrocket stove + fuel + lighter

Feel free to shoot me a text if you have any questions!
-Carson (7576476745)