Blue Ridge Outdoors May 2017 by Summit Publishing

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May 2017 CONTENTS

For concerts, festivals or just getting together with family and friends,

WILLIAM SPARKLIN

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS 7 CONTRIBUTORS Dream concert? 8 QUICK HITS 82-year-old Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders goes for A.T. thru-hike age record • Wind energy gets boost in Botetort • New adventure park in WNC 10 THE DIRT Charlottesville’s Adam Geilker completed a double thru-hike of the A.T. wearing sandals (or going barefoot) for most of the way • The eight biggest threats to national parks and forests in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions—along with eight actions you can take to protect the places where you play. COVER PHOTO BY

23 2017 FESTIVAL GUIDE Our biggest festival guide ever features the 100 Best Blue Ridge bashes, along with backstage glimpses of top festivals, essential fest gear, and mustsee bands this summer. 50 BEST OF THE BREW RIDGE These five favorite beerways and liquor trails lead to classic Blue Ridge adventures. 55 BEER AND ADVENTURE From pub runs to beer-sponsored bike races, suds and outdoor sports seem to go together. But should beer and adventure go together? 77 FOOD FIGHT: THE APPALACHIAN SMALL FARM REVOLUTION Appalachia has a long history of selfreliant family farms producing fresh, homegrown produce. So why is such a bountiful region struggling to get healthy food onto dinner tables?

800-933-PARK (7275) | www.virginiastateparks.gov

PATRICK HUGHES / PAT RICK HUGHE S P HOTOG R A PH Y.COM M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M BRO_May_2017_00815_FINAL.indd 1

3/17/2017 3:30:23 PM

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CONTRIBUTORS

PRESIDENT

BLAKE DEMASO

ED ITOR I N C H I E F

WILL HARLAN

will@blueridgeoutdoors.com PUBLISHER

LEAH WOODY

leah@blueridgeoutdoors.com A RT D I R E C TO R

MEGAN JORDAN

megan@blueridgeoutdoors.com

Editorial & Production JEDD FERRIS

05.17

WHAT TWO ARTISTS OR BANDS WOULD CONSTITUTE YOUR DREAM CONCERT? BLAKE DEMASO Sturgil Simpson and the Avett Brothers.

S EN I O R E D ITOR

jedd@blueridgeoutdoors.com TRAV E L E D ITO R

JESS DADDIO

jess@blueridgeoutdoors.com S EN I O R D E S I G N E R

LAUREN WORTH

lauren@blueridgeoutdoors.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

PAIGELEE CHANCELLOR

paigelee@blueridgeoutdoors.com C ON T R I B UTO RS

RACHEL WOOLWORTH, GRAHAM AVERILL, LAURA INGLES, WADE MICKLEY, DAVE STALLARD, JEFF KINNEY C O P Y E D ITO RS

RACHEL WOOLWORTH, ROBERT MCGEE Advertising & Business SE N I OR AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E

MARTHA EVANS

martha@blueridgeoutdoors.com AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E / D I G ITA L P U B L I S H E R

CHRIS GRAGTMANS TSwift and Tom Petty. I'm a huge fan of both artists, and the demographic cross section of the crowd would be hilarious.

AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E

KATIE HARTWELL

katie@blueridgeoutdoors.com B U S I N E S S MA N AG E R

MELISSA GESSLER

melissa@blueridgeoutdoors.com CIRCULATION MANAGER / AC C OU N T E X E C UT I V E

HANNAH COOPER

hcooper@blueridgeoutdoors.com

Digital Media CRAIG SNODGRASS

O N L I N E D I R E C TO R

webdir@blueridgeoutdoors.com D I G ITA L ME D I A S P E C I A L I ST

TRAVIS HALL

travishall@blueridgeoutdoors.com SUMMIT

PUBLISHING

116 WEST JEFFERSON STREET CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22902 56 COLLEGE STREET, SUITE 303 ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28801

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S E R IE S C T PRO A T N O C A IR CE FORM A N H IG H P ER SF ER AN LOA D T R

TIM KOERBER Royal Canoe and Foster the People. They share a similar sonic vein and together I think they would create one of the best audio visual experiences you could possibly be immersed in. JESS DADDIO Frank Sinatra and Pokey LaFarge would be my dream concert and the epitome of a class act. MASON ADAMS The Clash opening for Bob Marley & the Wailers—reggae-influenced punk building up to a set by the band who changed music forever.

DUSTY ALLISON

dusty@blueridgeoutdoors.com

LIGHTEUNP

LEAH WOODY My dream concert would be Spoon and The Head and the Heart. They are both playing in Charlottesville this summer so I won't have to wait long for this dream to come true. DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN Fleet Foxes and Beach House, because we are taking our kids to see that show at Red Rocks this year. BEN YOUNG Father John Misty opening for The Lumineers at Red Rocks would be pretty sweet. Something about folky rock and roll goes over well at Red Rocks!

www.deuter.com

STILL CRAZY After 30 Years! 1987

2017

niversary! 30th An

Join us as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary providing great chairs and gear to people all over the world...from the mountains to the seas, and everywhere in between! #stillCrazy

HANNAH COOPER Def Beyonce and The Beatles. It is pretty self-explanatory so, no further comment. GORDON WADSWORTH I’d like to see Hank Williams Jr. armwrestle Dolly Parton. That would be the pinnacle of awesome. M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

QUICK HITS

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SHORTS BLUE RIDGE BRIEFS BY JEDD FERRIS

GREY BEARD GOES FOR AGE RECORD ON THE A.T. Age isn’t slowing down the adventures of Dale Sanders. The 81-year-old Tennessean, who lives in the Memphis suburb of Bartlett, has become known for tackling outdoor accomplishments that would likely seem daunting to most people in their golden years. After decades in the Navy, Sanders has been quite active in retirement. He completed a rim-torim hike of the Grand Canyon, and in 2015, at age 80, he became the oldest person to paddle the entire length of the Mississippi River. In March, Sanders set off to attempt a thruhike of the 2,190mile Appalachian Trail, and if he’s successful he’ll become the oldest person to complete the trail’s full length in a single year. Sanders turns 82 in June, and if he hikes the entire A.T in his estimated six-month timeframe he’ll best the record set by Lee Berry, who hiked the trail in 2004 at 81. Sanders told the website Gearjunkie. com: “If I don’t fall down or fall ill, I’m going to do it. That’s the one thing about me—when I set my mind to something, I’m going to see it through.” FOLLOW SANDERS' PROGRESS

at GreyBeardAdventurer.com

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 017

illustration by WADE MICKLEY

PLANS SCRAPPED FOR BIG RICHMOND CYCLING RACE Back in 2015, the city of Richmond, Va., hosted the UCI Road World Championships, an event that brought some of the best cyclists in the world to the streets of Virginia’s capital city. Last fall it was announced that a follow-up race, the Commonwealth Cycling Classic, would bring pro cycling back to Richmond this August for a smaller race that was nonetheless still going to be sanctioned by the UCI, the sport’s international governing body, and slated to be a four-day multi-stage event. In March, though, organizers announced that the new race would no longer take place, citing not enough time to plan as a reason for the cancellation.

COMMERCIAL WIND FARM APPROVED IN VIRGINIA Officials in Virginia recently approved the building of the first commercial wind farm in the Commonwealth. With a thumbs up from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Apex Clean Energy can now move forward with plans to build 25,550-foottall turbines on North Mountain in Botetourt County, ultimately creating the Rocky Forge Wind Farm. After multiple environmental impact studies, the agency approved erecting turbines on the 7,000-acre site with one condition. To prevent the turbines from striking bats, they must be shut off at night during the warmer months when the flying mammals are most active. A story in the Roanoke Times said the Rocky Forge turbines should be spinning by next year, which will make Virginia the 41st state to use wind as a source of renewable energy. WHITEWATER RAFTING: BY THE NUMBERS West Virginia’s main whitewater rivers aren’t as crowded with rafts as they used to be. A recent report in the Charleston Gazette-Mail provided a round-up of the number of customers annually taking commercial rafting trips in the Mountain State. In 2016,

131,028 people paid for guided trips on the New, Gauley, Shenandoah, and Cheat rivers, down from 134,082 rafters the previous year. Most of those trips (100,312 in 2016) are taken on the New and Gauley, which offer the stomach-dropping excitement of class IV-V rapids and stunning surrounding scenery. Dave Arnold of river outfitter Adventures on the Gorge told the paper last year’s decline happened because of severe flooding in June, during peak rafting season on the New. More long term, though, commercial rafting participation has seen a substantial dip in the past two decades. In 1998, 251,921 customers took rafting trips, with 223,860 of those rafters pouncing down the New and Gauley. Back then, 21 outfitters offered trips on those rivers and now, after consolidations and closures, that number is down to eight. GazetteMail staff writer Rick Steelhammer reported that the decline was due to “an aging client base, new competition from other outdoor pursuits, and declining interest in outdoor activities by young adults.” NEW ADVENTURE PARK IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA Plans have been approved for a new adventure park to be built on the banks of the Tuckasegee River in western North Carolina. As a family-friendly outpost for paddling and rafting, the new operation will be located on seven riverfront acres in Jackson County, near Dillsboro, and reportedly be similar to the nearby, successful Nantahala Outdoor Center, which opened back in 1972. According to a story in the Asheville Citizen-Times, the new park will feature rafting on a class II-III stretch of the Tuckasegee, as well as zip lines, a possible climbing wall, and campsites. Kelly Custer of the project developer WNC Outdoor Development, LLC told the paper the park will likely be open in the summer of 2018.

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THE DOUBLE THRU-HIKER WHO WORE A TUNIC AND SANDALS CHARLOTTESVILLE’S ADAM GEILKER COMPLETES TWO CONSECUTIVE A.T. THRU-HIKES BY ERIC J. WALLACE

rom February 22 to December 29 of 2016, 23-year-old Crozet, Va., native and recent Princeton University graduate Adam Geilker did something rather astounding: Setting out from the peak of Hightop Mountain in the Shenandoah National Park at high noon, he headed northward on the Appalachian Trail, hiking first to its terminus at Katahdin in Maine, then to the southern terminus at Springer Mountain in Georgia, whereupon he turned around and hoofed it right on back to Hightop. All told, the walk totaled over 4,400 miles—over 1,000 of which were completed barefoot. “I carried my own pack every step of the way and never slack-packed,” says Geilker. “I didn’t mail myself

I’M VERY AWARE THAT I COME FROM AN EXTREMELY PRIVILEGED POSITION IN THAT I DON’T HAVE TO STRUGGLE FOR MY BASIC HUMAN NEEDS OFF THE TRAIL, AND THAT I HAVE THE LUXURY OF GOING TO THE TRAIL FOR THIS AUTHENTIC SELFRELIANCE EXPERIENCE food or care packages, but hiked or hitched into town for resupply. And I didn’t use paid shuttles—although that was based more on frugality than any kind of purist principles.” His gear was also simple and self-reliant. It included a homemade wooden backpack; 10-inch bowie knife constructed from an iron 10

railway spike and deer antler; selfwelded hiking poles, trowel, and frying pan; knee-high pair of muck boots followed by shoeless-ness then 3D-printed sandals; military surplus body-bag as bivy sack; and a self-sewn tunic. Taken collectively, the setup weighed around 70 pounds. His do-it-yourself approach earned Geilker his trail name: “Handmade.” “I made the backpack prior to freshman fall orientation at Princeton,” says Geilker. “The college does this big, kind of iconic hiking trip every year. I didn’t want to be the guy carrying his dad’s old hand-medown pack from the 70s, so I decided to make my own.” Geilker was pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, and he “worked maniacally for something like 80 hours” to construct a custom external-framed backpack. First, he harvested with an axe a 6-inch diameter white oak for the frame, which he subsequently split, ran through a planer, and shaped with a jigsaw, drawknife, carving knife, and rasp into two uprights. Using the remaining chunks from the log, he fashioned cross-braces which, like an antique chair, were connected to the frame by means of mortise and tenon joints. For the pack, he used an old denim jacket reinforced with leather. Straps were made of recycled U.S. Army webbing, with buckles gleaned from old laptop bags and throwaway backpacks. While the unit weighed 10 pounds empty, aesthetically it looked more like an artifact from a Kerouac novel than a garage project pulled off on the cheap. However, Geilker’s intentions for the pack wound up unfulfilled.

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 017

ADAM GEILKER HIKED FROM VIRGINIA TO MAINE, DOWN TO GEORGIA, AND THEN BACK HOME TO VIRGINIA, WEARING SANDALS (OR GOING BAREFOOT) MOST OF THE WAY. THE PRINCETON GRAD ALSO BUILT HIS OWN BACKPACK. courtesy ADAM GEILKER

“The weekend of the camping trip it rained and they canceled the event,” he said. “But when I graduated and decided to hike the A.T., carrying the pack seemed appropriate—like a fullcircle gesture connecting everything together.” He saw his A.T. hike as a onetime post-college rite of passage. "There’s this saying on the trail that goes, ‘Hike your own hike,’” he said. “When I was setting out to do this, I really took that seriously. I wasn’t— and still am not—planning on doing another thru-hike like this one, so, if I was going to do it this one time, I wanted to approach it in a way that was uniquely my own.” As you can imagine, in a realm

dominated by hikers equipped with the latest most ultra-lightweight technologically advanced gear available, Geilker drew quite a bit of attention. “I met him on a stretch of trail outside of Hanover in New Hampshire,” said Sean Cardle, who was working on completing his own NOBO thru-hike at the time. “He had dirty blond hair, blue eyes, a wispy beard and was wearing this strange one-piece tunic that looked a bit like Peter Pan’s outfit, only brown.” Additionally, Geilker had on flip-flops and was carrying a full-sized axe. He looked pretty eccentric.” Geilker was using the axe to

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clear a section of trail littered with blowdowns. “He was cutting through thigh- and torso-sized trees by hand with an axe,” Cardle recalled. “I counted between 175 and 200 blowdowns over the course of a 75-mile segment of trail, which took about eight 16-hour days to cut through by hand,” Geilker explained. “I couldn’t stand to see a trail looking like that, so I did something about it.” Geilker tends to maintain a kind of no-nonsense pragmatism about his double thru-hike, describing the trip as more akin to a lengthy vacation than any sort of find-thyself self-discovery mission. “I set out from Crozet and hiked to the trail because, as an environmentalist, I couldn’t bear the thought of hitching a bus, plane, or train ride 1,300 miles to either end of the trail.” And yet, considering a trek that had him hiking through two winters and thousands of miles of mountains, Geilker doesn’t shy away from pointing out the philosophical virtues of spending that much time on the trail. “Our post-industrial society is somewhat alienating to the individual for two reasons. First, if you were to suddenly disappear, in many respects you’d just be replaced, which makes it feel like society doesn’t need you. Second, the basic necessities of life are so readily accessible that obtaining them sometimes fails to afford satisfaction. In other words, society can alienate you by giving the impression that it doesn’t need you and that you don’t even need yourself,” he mused. “But on the trail, I need food, water, and shelter—and other people—far more immediately than I do in typical dayto-day suburban existence. Not only do I appreciate these basic necessities far more on the trail, but I can appreciate my own agency in getting them. Fundamentally, I need me far more on the trail—my judgment and my physical ability constantly and 12

OESH SANDALS THREE-THOUSAND OF

directly translate into fulfillment of my needs, and are measured by my daily successes or shortcomings as a hiker. This sense of needing yourself and having greater agency is healthy, deeply satisfying, and serves as a kind of antidote to our day-to-day suburban existence.” Ultimately, while he confided the trek sometimes felt like a major

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 017

indulgence, Geilker says he’s happy with what he accomplished and is confident that the experience will inform his life in a myriad of positive ways. “I’m not just a hiker,” he said. “I’ll take the tremendous personal capability I’ve shown on the trail and apply it to bigger, more significant situations throughout the rest of my life.” BlueRidgeOutdoors

Adam Geilker’s 4,400 A.T. miles were walked in two pairs of newly designed, 3-D printed OESH sandals he glowingly described as “the best shoes I’ve ever owned.” Geilker wore a pair of Athena Bubblegums— which are pink—for 1,000 miles and then a pair of black Artemis Obsidians for 2,000 miles. Developed through grant funding provided by the National Science Foundation, the sandals are the product of Dr. Casey Kerrigan’s obsession with human movement. A Harvard Medical School grad, Kerrigan published many scholarly papers based upon her research. “Eventually, I got fed up with the shoe industry continuing to make unhealthy shoes and decided we should make our own.” In 2010, Kerrigan left her job at the University of Virginia, where she’d become the first woman tenured professor to serve as the chair of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The name OESH was a pun suggested by a friend whom, upon considering Kerrigan’s research and what it would mean for women’s footwear, said the M.D. was going to turn around and twist the s-h-o-e industry inside out. This spring will be the first time the company markets its new line of 3D printed sandals. “We make the sandals on demand, and we’re piloting for local customers who can come into the factory for assessment,” said Kerrigan. “We’ll take your measurements and assess your biomechanics, and design sandals specific for your body.” GoOutAndPlay

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M O U N TA I N E D I T I O N / M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

THE ICONIC SERIES, ELEVATED. THE NEW TALON | TEMPEST

Light, nimble and ventilated, this multi-sport chameleon features a redesigned AirScape™ backpanel to limit perspiration and a carry system that stabilizes loads during dynamic activities. A variety of volumes accommodate everything from minimalist day hikes to lightweight backpacking trips. No matter what trail or pack you choose, we’ll see you out there on the #CommonPath.

PHOTO / ©PATITUCCI PHOTO

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THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND

OUR NATIONAL PARKS AND FORESTS NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER BY JESS DADDIO

ublic lands and public health are under assault. Here are the eight biggest threats to parks, forests, and wildlands in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic—and eight ways you can protect the places where you play.

NATIONAL FOREST PLAN

The Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina national forest is the second mostvisited national forest in the country, with large tracts of road-free forest, important headwaters, old-growth forest, and native trout habitat. Unfortunately, the latest draft of the Forest Service’s twenty-year management plan will open much of the forest to logging and not adequately protect its most treasured recreational gems. One of those forests—Big Ivy— has received widespread support

for an expanded wilderness from mountain bikers, hikers, anglers, hunters, and the local community. County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution advocating for expanded wilderness in Big Ivy, and biologists and wildlife officials have advocated for the wilderness, too— the old-growth forest shelters over 40 rare and endangered. Unfortunately, the Forest Service has not heeded the recommendations of scientists, local leaders, or the general public. Most of Big Ivy remains unprotected in the latest draft of the management plan. Big Ivy is not alone. Other recreational and ecological hotspots like the Black Mountains, Mackey Mountain, and Tusquitee Bald have been largely ignored by the Forest Service in its latest draft. Without protections, these areas will be open to timber harvesting for the next two decades. “Shining Rock Wilderness Area is really heavily used, which shows

that people are hungry for that kind of wilderness experience,” says Jill Gottesman, Conservation Specialist with The Wilderness Society. “But it’s not just about wilderness. It’s also about restoration, water quality, cultural heritage, and helping tourism in local gateway communities.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Attend Forest Service plan meetings and submit comments arguing for stronger forest protections that protect old-growth forests, clean water, and recreational resources. Send comments via email to NCplanrevision@fs.fed.us.

OIL AND GAS DRILLING

In January, Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar proposed H.R. 46, a bill that would open more than 40 national parks to oil and gas drilling, including Tennessee’s Big South Fork National

River and Recreation Area, West Virginia’s Gauley River National Recreation Area, and the Tennessee’s Obed Wild and Scenic River. There are currently five national park sites in our region that have operating wells, but nine others, including Alabama’s Little River Canyon National Preserve and Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park, are at risk of future development due to the split-estate condition in which the federal government owns the surface lands and private companies own the mineral rights. Oil and gas drilling fragments wildlife migration routes and habitats, leaks into our drinking water, increases erosion and flooding potential, diminishes the outdoor recreation experience, and pollutes the air with methane. Reducing the Park Service’s authority in overseeing these operations results in direct harm to our parks.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO

Tell your members of Congress that you are opposed to the weakening of oil and gas regulations in national parks. In particular, contact Republican Representative Diane Black from the 6th District of Tennessee to express your concerns—Black was one of the six representatives to cosponsor Gosar’s bill: (202) 225-4231. Outdoor Alliance Communications Director Tania Lown-Hecht recommends adding a personal anecdote to any petitions or comments of opposition. LownHecht says it’s easy to default to the suggested message copy already entered on petition forms especially, but including a short, meaningful entry about the impact these repeals would have on you and the lands you treasure can be powerful. “Say something personal about

why public lands matter to you,” she says. “State clearly what you want your congressman to do, be polite, and be kind. Their offices receive a lot of messages that are hateful,” and that, says Lown-Hecht, is not a level our parks advocates should stoop.

FRACKING AND PIPELINES

To date, there are more than 20 pipelines proposed for the Appalachian region. Pipelines carrying fracked gas are, in and of themselves, dangerous. Leaks and explosions are common occurrences, and onshore gas pipelines built in the 2010s have accident rates more than five times greater than pipelines built just a few decades prior. Pipelines also threaten the drinking water supply of hundreds of thousands of residents. The Mountain Valley Pipeline alone, which would stretch 301 miles from West Virginia to Virginia, crosses three

major aquifers and 377 perennial waterways, including important headwater streams. Leaks from the pipeline at any point along its path can have drastic effects on everything downstream. Three of these proposed pipelines—PennEast, Atlantic Coast, and Mountain Valley—cross the Appalachian Trail at some of its most iconic spots like Virginia’s Peters Mountain Wilderness (Mountain Valley) and Angels Rest (Atlantic Coast). Additionally, the Atlantic Coast pipeline will cut through sensitive habitat in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest and Virginia’s George Washington National Forest. Visitors to the Virginia portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway will encounter great swaths of pipeline construction in Augusta and Nelson counties. Not only would these crossings disrupt wildlife habitats, but the lengthy construction period and lasting eyesores would also negatively impact recreation tourism

in mountain communities that need those dollars most.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Sign up to receive email notifications about public hearings and comment periods for pipeline developments from groups like Wild Virginia (wildvirginia.org), Sierra Club (sierraclub.org), the AlleghenyBlue Ridge Alliance (abralliance.org), Protect Our Water Heritage Rights (powhr.org), and Appalachian Voices (appvoices.org), who are leading the fight against pipelines in our region. Though the official public comment period for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline ended April 6th, opponents are encouraged to continue voicing their concerns to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and their respective elected officials. “Submit written comments, show up to public input meetings, really get involved at the local level,” says Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Director Kate Addleson. “Local folks really have the best ability to make a difference. They

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have strength in the community with respect to what public officials they are putting in office and then holding those officials accountable for their actions.”

MOUNTAINTOP

REMOVAL

There’s no denying the coal industry is on the decline, but it’s not dead yet. Mountaintop removal mining practices continue to destroy biologically diverse mountains and streams every day. Since the 1970s, mountaintop removal has been responsible for obliterating 500 mountains and more than 2,000 miles of headwater streams. Consequently, the water and communities downstream of these sites have abnormally high levels of heavy metals, which not only kill aquatic species but also cause increased rates in cancer and birth defects in humans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found iron and manganese concentrations surpassed drinking water guidelines in about 70 percent of the wells near reclaimed surface coal mines and sludge impoundments in Appalachia. Additionally, communities near mountaintop removal sites are at constant risk of injury to person and property from blasting as well as flooding, which is more likely to 18

occur on mountaintop removal sites due to the lack of trees and vegetation that aid in rooting the soil and preventing erosion.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

The recent repeal of the Stream Protection Rule, which would have made it more difficult for the coal industry to dump hazardous waste into our rivers and streams, was certainly a setback, but that doesn’t mean all clean water protections are on the curb, yet. Appalachian Voices Central Appalachian Program Manager Erin Savage says local citizens, especially those living near mining activity, should be on the lookout for stream pollution and be adamant about requesting investigations on those polluters as well as fighting any pending mining permits. “Write things down, take photos, submit complaints, and keep copies of what you send to state agencies,” Savage says. “If you don’t hear back from them or their response is insufficient, take it up the chain, so to speak, to the federal agencies who oversee that agency. Talk to newspapers, too. Public pressure can be really helpful in convincing a state agency to take enforcement more seriously.” As of March, there were 24 new mining permit requests in West

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 017

Virginia alone, the acres were covered in USE YOUR VOICE BETWEEN TRUMP'S ANTIthe toxic sludge, killing vast majority of which PUBLIC LANDS AGENDA wildlife, destroying were located just a AND INDUSTRY THREATS, OUR RIVERS, FORESTS, AND homes, and causing stone’s throw from MOUNTAINS NEED US TO BE irreparable damage the New River Gorge THEIR VOICE. to the waterways for National River. In VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF decades to come. THE SIERR A CLUB eastern Kentucky, Less than a decade more than 50 new later in Eden, N.C., or renewal permits 39,000 tons of coal ash and 27 million were pending in the 21 counties that gallons of contaminated water oozed comprise the Daniel Boone National into the Dan River. In some places, Forest, home to such recreational gems as the Clifty Wilderness, Beaver mounds of ash were five feet thick and the toxic waste could be traced as Creek Wilderness, Red River Gorge, far as 70 miles downstream. Turtles and the Sheltowee Trace National and mussels died at an alarming rate, Recreation Trail. Mining permit but even today, the spill has hardly applications are typically announced been cleaned up. in local papers and can also be found Similar incidents have taken online (for West Virginia, dep. place across the Southeast, yet there wv.gov/permitting, and for Kentucky, remain no regulations on discharging minepermits.ky.gov) or by registering toxins like arsenic, lead, and mercury for the state mining regulatory into our watersheds. The Southeast agency’s email lists. is particularly at risk from further Finding an organization, like the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition coal ash pond leaks and spills due to sparse or non-existent limitations on (ohvec.org) in West Virginia, to dumping. According to the Southern assist in requesting public hearings Environmental Law Center (SELC), and investigations can be extremely nearly every major body of water in helpful if you’re unfamiliar with the the Southeast has a leaking coal ash process, adds Savage. impoundment on its banks, resulting in dangerous levels of arsenic, mercury, thallium, and selenium In December of 2008, 1.1 billion contaminating groundwater and gallons of coal ash, the hazardous wells. byproduct of burning coal, spilled Despite criminal guilty pleas by into the Clinch and Emory rivers Duke Energy following the 2014 near Harriman, Tenn. Over 300 Dan River spill, the North Carolina

COAL ASH

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Department of Environmental Quality announced it will allow Duke Energy to continue discharging coal ash into the Dan River Basin and Roanoke River Basin at three different sites. They will also allow Duke Energy to dump toxic coal ash into some of North Carolina’s Mayo and Hyco Lakes. In Nashville, Tenn., the SELC is in the midst of an ongoing battle to hold the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) accountable for the more than 27 billion gallons of coal ash wastewater that have leaked from the Gallatin Fossil Plant into the Cumberland River—Nashville’s drinking water supply for 1.2 million people). The TVA refused to supply data that proved sinkholes on the plant site, combined with unlined holding ponds, were contributing to the decreased quality of groundwater wells. Nearby wells now exceed the

state water quality standards for maximum contamination levels, forcing locals to rely on bottled water.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Want to learn if there is a coal ash impoundment near you? Visit SoutheastCoalAsh.org to see if your community is at risk. The Trump administration froze EPA grants, which provided funding to Southern communities to reduce air and water pollution, remove lead from drinking water, and clean up hazardous waste such as coal ash. Ask your Congressional leaders to restore EPA grants and funding. “It’s really unfortunate that some politicians have made environmental protection seem like it’s a right or left issue,” says Addleson with the Sierra Club. “It’s an issue that affects all people. Most people can agree that protecting our lands and our water and having good air quality is something that’s important.”

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 017

ABANDONED MINES

Our region is still scarred by the devastating 1994-1995 mine blowouts on Muddy Creek, a tributary to West Virginia’s Cheat River. Those massive orange discharges of acid mine drainage dropped the pH in Cheat Lake to 4.5, killed fish populations over 16 miles downstream, and all but decimated the area’s booming whitewater raft industry with business down 50 percent in the following years. The recovery process is still underway, but for the first time since the blowouts, the Cheat mainstem is home to a healthy and thriving smallmouth bass fish population. That turnaround is a direct result of the more than $5.1 million, half of which came from the EPA. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area alone contains over 100 abandoned mines, many of which are contaminating this otherwise pristine park’s waterways.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Volunteering with citizen science programs, like Appalachian Voices’ Appalachian Water Watch citizen monitoring program (appvoices.org/waterwatch), helps environmental non-profits gain the documentation and information necessary to prosecute violators of the Clean Water Act and the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act. “What you do to the land, you do to the people,” Savage from Appalachian Voices adds, quoting anti-mountaintop removal activist Judy Bonds. “This isn’t as simple as jobs versus fish when you talk about clean water protection. If you protect streams, that has a lot of downstream benefits both figuratively and literally.”

AIR POLLUTION

In July 2015, the National Parks Conservation Association released a study that found the vast majority of

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our 48 national parks had harmful levels of air pollution, some of which were comparable to the air pollution in major cities. On the list of top 12 parks most harmed by air pollution were Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. The Clean Power Plan placed carbon emission goals for each state, with an overall mission to cut national carbon emissions from the power sector by 30 percent in 2030. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has announced that it plans to dismantle the Clean Power Plan.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Tell your elected officials to protect clean air, to keep the United States involved in the Paris Agreement, and to hold Pruitt and Tillerson accountable for their actions, which should serve the best interests of our environment’s and citizens' health, not the industry’s.

Sign petitions to support the Clean Power Plan by visiting the Environmental Defense Fund’s website at edf.org.

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

Established in 1973, the Endangered Species Act has been at the very core of conservation work. To date, the act protects more than 1,600 different species, including plants and animals. Species like the gray wolf, bald eagle, and American crocodile have not only been removed from the endangered species list but have thrived in subsequent years. But now, thanks to a Senate hearing to “modernize the Endangered Species Act,” some Republican lawmakers are attempting to repeal the act altogether. Their argument is that the act, which has only successfully removed about 40 species from its list in its 43-year history, hinders business and controls the land in areas where the industry

WHAT YOU DO TO THE LAND, YOU DO TO THE PEOPLE.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

versus conservation war has been a longstanding battle. Nearly driven to extinction in the 1950s, the red wolf is one of those species that is on the verge of disappearing. Fewer than 50 red wolves exist in the world, all of which reside in eastern North Carolina. Other Southern species dependent on the Endangered Species Act include the leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles, the Shenandoah salamander, the Indiana bat, and several freshwater mussels.

Call or write to your elected officials and ask that they support the Endangered Species Act as it exists. The Southern Environmental Law Center is often spearheading efforts to protect many iconic species in the South. And while you’re at it, make sure to spend a little quality time in the outdoors. Taking a stand for the environment is important, tireless work, but it’s important not to burn out in the early stages. “Make sure you’re still providing yourself with the opportunities to experience the places that we must defend,” says Ani Kame’enui of the National Parks Conservation Association. “It sounds a bit silly and trite to suggest that, but that’s a huge part of this is to not get lost in the 120 characters and the volatile headlines. Continue to get into these spaces and places that have written the American story so you know what you’re fighting for.”

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BACKSTAGE A behind the scenes look at the grassroot efforts of three music festivals in the Southeast BY RACHEL WOOLWORTH MUSIC FESTIVALS ACROSS THE NATION

are increasingly incorporating different grassroot initiatives into their events. From environmental sustainability, to music education, to philanthropic endeavors, integrating meaningful actions into festival weekends is the new norm. For many festivals, creating a sense of altruistic collaboration is key to attaining the perfect festival energy. “A lot of fans are attracted to festivals because they enjoy feeling part of something larger than themselves,” said Johnny Buck, organizer of Virginia’s Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival. These three festivals in the Southeast have not only fostered the quintessential festival vibe but are positively interacting with the earth and their local communities. THE HISTORIANS

ROMP FEST

Each summer, the International Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, Ky., produces their very own bluegrass festival—ROMP Fest. Featuring more than thirty bluegrass, folk, and Americana acts, the festival celebrates the roots and branches of the musical genre. “ROMP is a way for the International Bluegrass Museum to showcase the music of the genre we are working to preserve,” explained the museum's Marketing Director Katie Keller. Though there are traditional bluegrass groups showcased each year, the organizers bring in a variety of progressive acts such as the Punch Brothers and Yonder Mountain String Band. There are workshops on clogging and flat-foot dancing, but also yoga classes and healthy living panels. All in

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all, ROMP Fest is a fascinating mix of old and new. Educational opportunities also abound. The museum opens new exhibits just in time for ROMP and features a film festival and live performances throughout the weekend. A shuttle runs back and forth between the two and museum admission is free for festival goers. On Thursday, the festival presents International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame plaques to new inductees on the main stage— the only festival to hold such an honor. ROMP also serves as an important financial backer for the museum; all festival profits go to the organization. Funds from ROMP allow the museum to continue its archival efforts and educational endeavors like their Bluegrass in the Schools program. Together, the museum and festival are able to disseminate bluegrass music in a fun and accessible way. “Bringing people of all demographics together to enjoy the music is the best way to educate attendees about the

genre,” said Keller. THE PHILANTHROPISTS

ROOSTER WALK

The ninth annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival will be held on Memorial Day Weekend at Pop’s Farm, a beautiful 151-acre property outside Martinsville, Va. An eclectic lineup of bands and outdoor activities are on the bill for this year’s fest. The festival was created by Martinsville locals Johnny Buck and William Baptist in memory of two childhood friends who passed away in their twenties. In creating Rooster Walk, Buck and Baptist hope to celebrate “life and the notion that you shouldn’t waste a moment of it,” and give back to their local community. Martinsville has led Virginia in unemployment for more than a decade; its textile-based economy crumbled in the aftermath of NAFTA and the subsequent transfer

of textile jobs to overseas markets. Having experienced this economic downturn firsthand, Buck and Baptist were inspired to help. The festival’s non-profit, Rooster Walk Inc., manages a variety of charitable programs. They also “bring in high quality musicians and artists throughout the year who might not otherwise perform in a small town the size of Martinsville.” Rooster Walk, Inc. established the Penn-Shank Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards a $4,000 college scholarship to an inspiring Martinsville High School senior each year. Rooster Walk Inc. also collects old band instruments from the public which the organization pays to refurbish and then donates to entry level band programs in Martinsville-Henry County. A new addition in 2017, Rooster Walk Inc. has established a micro-grant program to help public school band programs fund smallscale purchases like music stands, sheet music, and more. To date, Rooster Walk Inc. has raised more than $100,000 for local

M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

THE SUSTAINABILITY GURUS

FLOYDFEST

Each year, on the last weekend of July, thousands of festival goers congregate on a sprawling 80-acre mountain plateau off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest Virginia. Over the years, FloydFest has grown sizably, attracting big-name headliners and a devoted following. In addition to stellar lineups and loyal fans, FloydFest has emerged as a beacon of sustainability in the world of outdoor festival production. Across-the-Way-Productions, FloydFest’s event management company, has worked tirelessly to balance the festival’s attendance growth with its steadfast commitment to sustainability. “Limiting our environmentally negative footprint goes hand-in-hand with every decision the company makes,” said Director of Marketing Sam Calhoun. In 2012, Across-the-WayProductions started tracking waste diversion (waste that is recycled or composted instead of being taken to a landfill), successfully diverting 35% of waste in year one. In 2016, FloydFest estimated a 70% waste diversion rate—an auspicious feat for a festival that hosts 15,000 people throughout the weekend. As part of this effort, Acrossthe-Way Productions requires food vendors to use 100% compostable products and recycles all vendor-used vegetable oil. FloydFest processes all their compost on site. Made possible by an

CELEBRATING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL COMMUNITY: DAMASCUS, VIRGINIA

educational exemption in Virginia’s solid waste regulations, the festival can process up to 100 cubic yards of compost at any given time. This ability to compost on site is “a huge asset to our program” said Green Team Manager Anne Bedarf. “It’s the most efficient and retains the valuable nutrients for local use.” Each year, FloydFest partners with Klean Kanteen, the leading purveyor of stainless steel cups, to offer onsite water fill-up stations and reusable cups for libations. They estimate that this partnership eliminates the use of 54,000 plastic bottles and 58,000 disposable cups each festival. “It is amazingly difficult to find a disposable cup onsite during the festival,” said Calhoun. These endeavors are made possible by FloydFest’s very own Green Team, a group of 17 staff and 90-some volunteers. The Green Team works dawn to dusk during the festival; they provide campers with bags and gloves to divide campsite waste, help clarify what goes where at waste receptacle stations, transport compost, and more. The Green Team also hosts a series of “Green Artist Jam” discussions during which artists, vendors, and staff discuss green living, sustainable festival production, and more. In past years, Michael Franti, Railroad Earth, Sam Bush, and Leftover Salmon have all discussed the challenges of sustainable touring amongst other environmental issues. Across-the-Way-Productions has also “greened” their ticketing options. The HOV-EZ Pass (four adults, two kids, two tent tags, and one onsite parking pass) dramatically discounts onsite parking as a reward for carpooling to the festival in highoccupancy vehicles. Crowdsourcing a ride to the festival is also encouraged through FloydFest’s green carpooling forum on Facebook.

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FEST FINDS

5 Emerging Bands to Catch on the Southern Festival Circuit BY JEDD FERRIS TOO PACKED AT THE MAIN STAGE TO

enjoy the headliner? Look for these acts on the undercard at upcoming regional festivals.

LUCY DACUS

AARON LEE TASJAN

Before moving to Nashville and making a name as a left-of-center cosmic country troubadour, Aaron Lee Tasjan played guitar with glam rock legends the New York Dolls and his own band of the same ilk, Semi Precious Weapons. He brings that vibe to his free-spirited Americana tunes and the rhinestone cowboy outfits he often wears on stage. On last year’s Silver Tears, Tasjan covers different trails blazed by his roots predecessors, including the dusty 70s rock of the Flying Burrito Brothers in “Memphis Rain,” while the following “Dime” gallops like a lost cut by the Traveling Wilburys. The standout “Little Movies,” though, is a hazy indie folk gem that shows Tasjan is also very much tuned in to the present. APPEARING AT: The Moonshiner’s Ball, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Forecastle Festival, and FloydFest

Lucy Dacus has a dreamy voice that haunts and persists. The Richmondbased indie rock songstress turned many heads last year with her breakout debut album No Burden, a strikingly honest first effort from a young artist still developing her sound. Set against hypnotic, distorted guitar chords, Dacus delivers smart slices of self-reflection, like the standout single “I Don’t Want to Be Funny Anymore.” As an artist who is just getting started, she’s crafting songs at a level well beyond her 21 years. Dacus has recently been in Nashville recording a sophomore follow-up, and after some dates in the South opening for Sylvan Esso, she’ll be hitting the summer festival circuit. APPEARING AT: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and Forecastle Festival

CABINET

Seven-piece string band Cabinet blends an affinity for roots-rock exploration with elements of bluegrass and hillbilly stomp. The group

indulges in extended picking tangents like jamgrass predecessors Greensky Bluegrass and Railroad Earth, but front man Pappy Biondo also has an earnest pen, writing shaggy folk songs and true country tunes. The hardtouring crew will make the rounds at many regional festivals, but they also host their own bash, the Susquehanna Breakdown in their home state of Pennsylvania. APPEARING AT: French Broad River Festival, Susquehanna Breakdown, DelFest, and Deep Roots Mountain Revival

MARCUS KING BAND

Fresh-faced South Carolina native Marcus King has the voice of an old-school soul man and the chops of a Southern rock guitar hero. He’s only 21, but King’s talent has already been discovered by some of the best in the music business. The eponymous album—released last fall—by his six-piece band was produced by Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes and one of the record’s fiery highlights, “Self Hatred,” features King trading guitar licks with Derek Trucks. King and his band can definitely jam, moving deftly between funk, rock, and swampy grooves, but they also know when to tone it down and hit the sweet spot with soulful tunes like “Ain’t Nothing Wrong” and “Rita is Gone.” APPEARING AT: Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival and the Lockn’ Music Festival

SUSTO

Susto is poised to be the next band to break out of Charleston, S.C., which has an underappreciated local music scene that’s fostered the likes of Band of Horses and Shovels and Rope. The group is the main vehicle for the songs of Justin Osborne, a South Carolina native who, like many before him, has rebelled against a religious upbringing with a guitar. After a lengthy run in his old band, Sequoyah Prep School, Osborne tried to quit playing music and briefly moved to Cuba, where the inspiration for new songs led him to form Susto. The band plays spacey, country-tinged garage rock with Osborne’s husky grunge voice at the forefront. He often uses it to share thoughts from his own existential head trips. In “Waves,” the pulsing alt-rock standout from the band’s January-released latest album & I’m Fine Today, he tries to put strife in perspective: “Why’s there so much trouble?/ We live in such a remarkable place.” APPEARING AT: Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival and Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion BATTLE OF THE BANDS

This month, BRO is asking readers to pick best bands and musicians in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Vote for your favorites at BlueRidgeOutdoors.com and help us crown a winner!

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100 FESTS

Our Biggest Festival Guide Yet BY JEDD FERRIS

around the world. Twice a year, in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell, traditions from around the world are represented through interactive exhibits, activities, food, and especially music. This spring the festival’s six stages will feature musicians from 13 different African countries, along with Macy Gray, Antibalas, Martin Sexton, and Sara Watkins. If you can’t make it in May, LEAF returns for its second yearly running in October. THELEAF.ORG

THE FESTIVALS JUST KEEP ON COMING.

Every time we appear to hit critical mass in a region filled with fun galas, more events keep surfacing. To keep you in the loop on everything fest, BRO is delivering its biggest Festival Guide to date, featuring 100 of the best bashes in our backyard. Whether you’re looking for stellar sounds, craft beer, art, or adventure, we’ve got you covered.

GETTYSBURG BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL SHAKORI HILLS GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND DANCE SILK HOPE, N.C. MAY 4-7 Shakori Hills brings a stacked line-up of roots acts together for a long weekend of family-friendly revelry. Headliners include Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Donna the Buffalo, Amy Helm, and Todd Snider. A fall version also takes place October 5-8. SHAKORIHILLSGRASSROOTS.ORG

FRENCH BROAD RIVER FESTIVAL HOT SPRINGS, N.C. MAY 5-7 French Broad River Festival was started two decades ago by a group of local boaters with great taste in music. In its 20 years the paddler party has grown into one of the region’s favorite low-key fests, staying relatively intimate at the Hot Springs Campground but featuring an impressive line-up of roots music and plenty of chances to play on the river. This year catch sets by Keller Williams, Larry Keel, Cabinet, Sol Driven Train, and Snake Oil Medicine Show. Also, recruit some friends for the French Broad River Raft Race, a nine-mile, class I-IV run that holds distinction as the biggest mass start raft race in the South. FRENCHBROADRIVERFESTIVAL.COM

CHEAT RIVER FESTIVAL ALBRIGHT, W.VA. MAY 5-6 Expanded to two days, this big annual party is filled with arts, boating, bluegrass, food, and fun, all to support the Cheat River watershed. Paddle in the Downriver Race, run a 5K, and catch tunes by the Hillbilly Gypsies and the Hackensaw Boys. CHEATFEST.ORG

GETTYSBURG, PA. MAY 18-21 This serious bluegrass festival celebrates its 74th running with the Seldom Scene, Rhonda Vincent, the Soggy Bottom Boys, and many more. GETTYSBURGBLUEGRASS.COM

DOMEFEST

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SHAKY BEATS MUSIC FESTIVAL ATLANTA, GA. MAY 5-7 The electronica sister to the older Shaky Knees Music Festival, this fest at Centennial Olympic Park will feature Griz and the Chainsmokers. SHAKYBEATSFESTIVAL.COM

IPA JAMBEEREE CROZET, VA. MAY 6 Starr Hill Brewery hosts the second running of this new fest that will feature the best in hoppy brews from Virginia. STARRHILL.COM

BEALE STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL MEMPHIS, TENN. MAY 5-7 A mega fest in a musically historic city—Beale Street’s 2017 line-up boasts sets by Kings of Leon, Sturgill Simpson, Widespread Panic, and Snoop Dogg. MEMPHISINMAY.ORG

CAROLINA REBELLION CONCORD, N.C. MAY 5-7 Hair metal and grunge live in Concord! Catch Def Leppard, Soundgarden, Tesla, and many more at Charlotte Motor Speedway. CAROLINAREBELLION.COM

NORTH CAROLINA BREWERS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. MAY 12-13 A celebration of tasty beer and good tunes brings some of the region’s best craft brews and bluegrass tunes together on Huntersville’s historic Rural Hill. Bands this year: Mandolin Orange, the Infamous Stringdusters, and Mipso. NCBREWSMUSIC.COM

AIKEN BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL AIKEN, S.C. MAY 12-13 This two-day celebration of bluegrass, biking, and beer returns to Aiken, featuring jams from the Infamous Stringdusters, Larry Keel, and members of Leftover Salmon.

BEDFORD, PA. MAY 18-20 Jam outfit Pigeons Playing Ping Pong hosts this three-day festival at Fort Royal Farm. Additional acts include the Main Squeeze, Consider the Source, and Aqueous. DOMEFESTIVAL.COM

MOOGFEST DURHAM, N.C. MAY 18-21 Sonic pioneer Bob Moog is honored at this festival in Durham featuring Flying Lotus, Animal Collective, and Michael Stipe. MOOGFEST.COM

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SHAKY KNEES MUSIC FESTIVAL ATLANTA, GA. MAY 12-14 The Atlanta indie and roots rock throwdown at Centennial Olympic Park hosts big names including LCD Soundsystem, The XX, Phoenix, and Ryan Adams. SHAKYKNEESFESTIVAL.COM

LEAF BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. MAY 11-14 LEAF celebrates arts and culture from

DAMASCUS, VA. MAY 19-21 With the Appalachian Trail running through town, Damascus is the perfect place to host this big festival that’s an annual reunion for thru-hikers and a huge weekend party that lets all outdoor enthusiasts become immersed in A.T. culture. TRAILDAYS.US

THE MOONSHINER’S BALL IRVINE, KY. MAY 19-21 Indie folk and alt-country ring through the Red Lick Valley at this festival, featuring Con Brio, Lydia Loveless, the Marcus King Band, Margaret Glaspy, and Vandaveer. THEMOONSHINERSBALL.COM

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SUSQUEHANNA BREAKDOWN SCRANTON, PA. MAY 19-20 Pennsylvania bluegrass group Cabinet hosts this festival at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain. Additional acts on the bill include Greensky Bluegrass and the Wood Brothers. SUSQUEHANNABREAKDOWN.COM

DOMINION RIVERROCK RICHMOND, VA. MAY 19-21 Riverrock is a huge outdoor sports and music festival on the banks of the James River in downtown Richmond. Run the James River Scramble 10K, demo a SUP board, and catch sets by Hard Working Americans and the Steeldrivers. DOMINIONRIVERROCK.COM

HANGOUT MUSIC FESTIVAL GULF SHORES, ALA. MAY 19-21 Hang out for three sunny days on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and listen to top national artists like Mumford and Sons, Twenty One Pilots, and Frank Ocean. HANGOUTMUSICFEST.COM

VIRGINIA BEACH FUNKOUT VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. MAY 20 Virginia’s own Keller Williams leads the pack at this one-day groove bash in the Shaka’s Live Parking Lot. VABEACHFUNKOUT.COM

VIRGINIA BEER FESTIVAL NORFOLK, VA. MAY 20-21 Enjoy the best offerings from 65 breweries at Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk. FESTEVENTS.ORG

TOUR DE FAT ASHEVILLE, N.C. MAY 20 New Belgium hosts this traveling celebration of “beer, bikes and bemusement” featuring a large bike parade and live music. The first date is in Asheville, featuring a show by Third Eye Blind, and additional regional stops include Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Ga., Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C. NEWBELGIUM.COM

DR. RALPH STANLEY'S 47TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL WEEKEND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL COEBURN, VA. MAY 25-27 Ralph Stanley II leads his legendary late father’s band, the Clinch Mountain Boys, at this bluegrass festival at the Stanley old home place in southwest Virginia. DRRALPHSTANLEYFESTIVAL.COM

ROOSTERWALK MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL AXTON, VA. MAY 25-28 This family friendly festival held near Martinsville continues to raise the bar with its impressive line-up of roots music. Bands this year: Greensky Bluegrass, The Wailers, Anderson East, and many more. ROOSTERWALK.COM

PAPA JOE'S BANJOBQUE MUSIC FESTIVAL EVANS, GA. MAY 26-27 Dig into some delicious BBQ and killer tunes from the Avett Brothers and Greensky Bluegrass. BANJOBQUE.COM

DELFEST CUMBERLAND, MD. MAY 25-28 When it comes to the High Lonesome Sound, it’s hard to top a festival that honors living legend Del McCoury— once a member of genre founder Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys. Del and his band headline the fest, which takes place in the scenic Potomac River Valley of western Maryland, with help from a generation-spanning line-up of top-notch pickers. This year the roster includes Hot Rize, the Infamous Stringdusters, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, Tim O’Brien, and a duo set by Bela Fleck & Chris Thile. To avoid string overload, Delfest organizers also added some rock into the mix, including Phish’s Trey Anastasio and Gov’t Mule. DELFEST.COM

LONG CREEK MUSIC FESTIVAL LONG CREEK, S.C. MAY 26-28 This mountain rager at the Chattooga River Resort & Campground features plenty of jams in the woods to support the mighty Chattooga River. Catch the Marcus King Band, Charlie Wooten Project, and more. LONGCREEKFEST.COM

MOUNTAIN SPORTS FESTIVAL ASHEVILLE, N.C. MAY 26-28 This annual free fest in Asheville features a full slate of mountain sports fun—running, cycling, disc golf, climbing, and much more. Look for great vendors, live music, and kid’s activities at Carrier Park. MOUNTAINSPORTSFESTIVAL.COM

VIRGINIA MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL FESTIVAL STOKESVILLE, VA. MAY 25-29 Virginia mountain bikers get together for a big hang at Stokesville Campground throughout a long weekend that

includes some epic rides during the day and kicking back with fat-tire-loving friends at night. MTNTOURING.COM

SPOLETO FESTIVAL USA CHARLESTON, S.C. MAY 26-JUNE 11 For 17 packed days and nights this spring, the Spoleto Festival fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with a variety of music, dance, theater, and visual arts. SPOLETOUSA.ORG

BEER CITY FESTIVAL ASHEVILLE, N.C. MAY 27 Head to Roger McGuire Green to sample beers from more than 30 craft breweries while soaking up some great local Asheville tunes.

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MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL OAK HILL, W.VA. JUNE 1-3 ACE Adventure Resort hosts this awesome convergence of music and adventure, pairing a roster of jam heroes with access to world-class whitewater and a top-notch trail network in West Virginia’s New River Gorge. Alongside all your outdoor playtime, listen to sounds from a stacked line-up that includes Umphrey’s McGee, the Revivalists, Twiddle, and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. MOUNTAINMUSICFESTWV.COM

2017 EVENTS MID-ATLANTIC & SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY – JUNE 3-4 VIRGINIA – JUNE 10-11

GRAVES MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL OF MUSIC SYRIA, VA. JUNE 1-3 Three days of the best in bluegrass takes place at the scenic Graves Mountain Lodge in the shadow of Shenandoah National Park. Catch sets from the Steeldrivers, Lonesome River Band, Junior Sisk, and many more. GRAVESMOUNTAIN.COM

NELSONVILLE MUSIC FESTIVAL NELSONVILLE, OHIO JUNE 1-4 With big names and small-town charm, this festival includes Ween, Emmylou Harris, Conor Oberst, and Son Volt. NELSONVILLEFEST.ORG

M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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1ST ANNUAL BREWMASTER BALL ARRINGTON, VA. JUNE 2 On the same site as the Lockn’ Music Festival, this new beer bash will feature top craft brews from the Commonwealth and tunes by Keller Williams. INFINITYDOWNS.COM

includes three days of artists painting outside, inspired by Gilmer County’s scenic mountain vistas, rivers, orchards, and vineyards. The popular event also includes a Family Fun Day and Picnic at Harrison Park on Saturday. GILMERARTS.ORG

COLD MOUNTAIN MUSIC AT LAKE LOGAN

W.C. HANDY BLUES AND BARBECUE FESTIVAL

CANTON, N.C. JUNE 3 Support Lake Logan by catching the string sounds of Steep Canyon Rangers, Love Canon, and Town Mountain.

HENDERSON, KY. JUNE 14-17 Great grub and stellar traditional grooves highlight this festival that’s been around for a quarter century.

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PHILADELPHIA, PA. JUNE 3 Live hip-hop masters the Roots host this annual shindig at Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing, this year playing a set with Pharrell and adding Lil Wayne and Solange to the line-up. ROOTSPICNIC.COM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. JUNE 17 The U.S. National Whitewater Center hosts this annual one-day bash filled with craft beer, live tunes, yoga, and a 6K trail race. USNWC.ORG

MONDO ROOTS CULTURAL ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL

BAYOU BOOGALOO MUSIC & CAJUN FOOD FESTIVAL

CLAYTON, N.C. JUNE 3 Homegrown grooves and artists converge for a day of fun in downtown Clayton. MONDOROOTS.COM

NORFOLK, VA. JUNE 23-25 Get your fill of crawdads, jambalaya, po boys, and beignets, as well as some of the best bands coming out of New Orleans. FESTEVENTS.ORG

BONNAROO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

NORTHERN VIRGINIA SUMMER BREWFEST

MANCHESTER, TENN. JUNE 8-11 The mothership of mega fests returns to the farm in Manchester with U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Weeknd. BONNAROO.COM

CENTREVILLE, VA. JUNE 24-25 A deep roster of breweries coupled with local music, food, and arts makes this annual fest a summer staple in NOVA. NOVABREWFEST.COM

CAROLINA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

ROMP: BLUEGRASS ROOTS & BRANCHES FESTIVAL

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. JUNE 8-11 Kenny Chesney, Montgomery Gentry, and Jason Aldean lead this huge country bash on the beach.

OWENSBORO, KY. JUNE 21-24 This three-day fest aligns seasoned roots veterans like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with progressive string favorites including the Punch Brothers and Yonder Mountain String Band. ROMPFEST.COM

CAROLINACOUNTRYMUSICFEST.COM

THE CROOKED ROAD’S MOUNTAINS OF MUSIC HOMECOMING SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA JUNE 9-17 A nine-day celebration of bluegrass and traditional mountain music takes place in 20 different communities around Southwest Virginia. Catch tunes by Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys with special guests Larry Sparks and Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Doyle Lawson, and many more. MTNSOFMUSIC.COM

PLEIN AIR, ART IN THE MOUNTAINS GILMER COUNTY, GA. JUNE 9-11 This celebration of open-air painting

HOPS IN THE HILLS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL MARYVILLE, TENN. JUNE 23-24 Taste the finest craft brews being made in eastern Tennessee at this annual festival in Maryville. HOPSINTHEHILLS.COM

FUNHOUSE FEST WILLIAMSBURG, VA. JUNE 23-25 Virginia piano man Bruce Hornsby hosts a hometown gala at the Lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg with help from Lake Street Dive, Rhiannon Giddens, and Sheryl Crow. FUNHOUSEFEST.COM

FLOYD FANDANGO FLOYD, VA. JUNE 23-25 Taking place at the same site as FloydFest, this low-key companion festival features live tunes, craft brews, and plenty of outdoor fun, including a 5K race, disc golf tournament, and a mountain cross bike race. ATWPRODUCTIONS.COM

BACK HOME APPALACHIAN ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.VA. JUNE 30-JULY 2 A solid line-up of down-home roots bands anchors three days of good times in the Mountain State. Catch sets by the Rumpke Mountain Boys, the Davisson Brothers, and the Recipe. BACKHOMEFESTIVAL.COM

2017 ROAD TOUR FIND US THIS MONTH AT:

23 RD ANNUAL CHEAT RIVER FESTIVAL MAY 5-6 ALBRIGHT, WEST VIRGINIA

30 TH ANNUAL APPALACHIAN TRAIL DAYS MAY 19-21 DAMASCUS, VIRGINIA

FESTIVAL FOR THE ENO DURHAM, N.C. JULY 1 AND 4 This annual event at Durham City Park features over 65 acts on four stages, along with great food and art—a big celebration of the great Eno River. Lineup TBA. ENORIVER.ORG

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MASTER MUSICIANS FESTIVAL SOMERSET, KY. JULY 7-8 This fest is all about variety, bringing a big range of multicultural music— blues, bluegrass, Celtic, rock, jazz, country, and Americana acts—to the stage. Lineup includes Dawes, Blackberry Smoke, Old 97’s, and many more. MASTERMUSICIANSFESTIVAL.ORG

FUNKATORIUM INVITATIONAL ASHEVILLE, N.C. JULY 8 The venerable Wicked Weed Brewing hosts this celebration of sour beers from across the country. WICKEDWEEDBREWING.COM

RED WING ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL MOUNT SOLON, VA. JULY 14-16 Virginia string band the Steel Wheels host this annual gathering at Natural Chimneys Park in the Shenandoah Valley. The line-up is always impressive, featuring a full slate of Americana and bluegrass heroes, and the atmosphere is intimate and friendly, meaning M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 017

BlueRidgeOutdoors

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parents can feel good about bringing little ones to the party. The festival’s two main stages are within sight of each other, and the entire grounds are configured into a close-knit village, making everything— vendors, beer garden, local food booths— easily accessible at any time. This year grownups can dig the sounds of Steve Earle, Lake Street Dive, Tim O’Brien, and Sarah Jarosz, while little ones enjoy activities in the Shady Grove kid’s area and get to hear music for youngsters on the Kinfolk Stage. REDWINGROOTS.COM

CAMP BISCO SCRANTON, PA. JULY 13-15 The Disco Biscuits host this multi-band electro rager at Montage Mountain. Additional acts: Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Griz, and Lotus. CAMPBISCO.COM

PASTURE PALOOZA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL BERRYVILLE, VA. JULY 13-15 Roots rock and jam bands dominate this low-key fest in the scenic countryside of northern Virginia. Line-up still forthcoming as of press time. PASTUREPALOOZA.COM

FORECASTLE FESTIVAL LOUISVILLE, KY. JULY 14-16 Forecastle has grown to become one of the premiere music festivals in the country, taking place every summer at Louisville’s scenic 85-acre Waterfront Park. Bands: LCD Soundsystem, Weezer, Odesza, Sturgill Simpson, PJ Harvey, Cage the Elephant, and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats. FORECASTLEFEST.COM

SLOSS FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM, AL. JULY 15-16 Birmingham gets its own big band bash downtown at the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Headliners: Alabama Shakes, Widespread Panic, Odesza, Sturgill Simpson, Run the Jewels, and Spoon. SLOSSFEST.COM

SPLASH. PADDLE. CAST. FLOAT. which takes place at a scenic spot on the edge of Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. Hosting the two-day party at its REEB Ranch outpost near Brevard, Oskar Blues welcomes 50 killer breweries from around the country that put their best liquid in cans. In addition to plenty of imbibing, the weekend features live tunes and plenty of outdoor playtime, including a Beer Relay trail run, group mountain bike rides, a dirt-jumping comp, and paddle trips. Plus, there’s camping, so you don’t have to worry about getting home after drinking too many Dale’s Pale Ales. BURNINGCAN.COM

KAROODINHA MUSIC FESTIVAL CENTRE HALL, PA. JULY 21-23 New mega fest alert. John Legend, Odesza, the Roots, Chromeo, X Ambassadors, and Maren Morris take top billing at this event at Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park. KAROONDINHA.COM

ARTSCAPE BALTIMORE, MD. JULY 21-23 Over 400,000 people regularly attend Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival. Situated in downtown Baltimore, the fest spans 12 city blocks and features a bevy of exhibits, music, dance, theater, and film. ARTSCAPE.ORG

FLOYDFEST

MOUNTAINREVIVAL.COM

FLOYD, VA. JULY 26-30 FloydFest is a multi-stage musical blowout on a beautiful 80-acre mountain plateau reached right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Headliners this year include Thievery Corporation, Shovels and Rope, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Steel Pulse, Railroad Earth, and St. Paul & the Broken Bones. Outdoor adventure is also a key part of this established fest, which offers opportunities for mountain biking, running, disc golf, and shuttled river trips. FLOYDFEST.COM

BURNING CAN

ASHEVILLE YOGA FESTIVAL

BREVARD, N.C. JULY 21-22 Oskar Blues Brewery celebrates its claim to fame—being the first to put delicious craft brews in cans—at this annual fest,

ASHEVILLE, N.C. JULY 27-30 Get in touch with your body at this event in downtown Asheville that features expert instructors and

DEEP ROOTS MOUNTAIN REVIVAL MASONTOWN, W.VA. JULY 20-22 This fest in its second year is bringing music back to Marvin’s Mountaintop, just outside of Morgantown. The impressive line-up includes Brandi Carlile, Dr. Dog, Lettuce, Sam Bush, and JJ Grey & Mofro.

Our Water Adventures give you the flexibility to try something new: explore the nooks and crannies of West Virginia’s largest lake, or experience the many faces of the New River.

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M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

experienced teachers leading classes and workshops, along with a schedule of live music and outdoor activities like SUP Yoga. ASHEVILLEYOGAFESTIVAL.COM

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL ABINGDON, VA. JULY 28-AUGUST 6 Arts and culture collide at this festival in historic Abingdon. VAHIGHLANDSFESTIVAL.ORG

WILLS MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL BEDFORD COUNTY, PA. AUGUST 4-6 This three-day roots fest sits along the scenic Appalachians in Bedford County. Lineup TBA. WMFEST.COM

THE PEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL SCRANTON, PA. AUGUST 10-13 Widespread Panic and My Morning Jacket top the bill at this festival at Montage Mountain. THEPEACHMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

STAUNTON MUSIC FESTIVAL STAUNTON, VA. AUGUST 11-20 This annual event features an extended program of world-class chamber music in a quaint historic town in the Virginia Blue Ridge. STAUNTONMUSICFESTIVAL.ORG

MICROFESTIVUS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL ROANOKE, VA. AUGUST 12 Situated at Elmwood Park in the heart of downtown Roanoke, Microfestivus offers nearly 130 beers for your sampling pleasure, along with great music and local food. MICROFESTIVUS.SQUARESOCIETY.ORG

SMITH RIVER FEST AXTON, VA. AUGUST 12 Celebrate the Smith River with a full day of paddling, fishing, running, and biking, along with vendor booths, live music, and fun for the whole family. The fest takes place at the Smith River Sports Complex near Martinsville. VISITMARTINSVILLE.COM

THE BIG WHAT FESTIVAL PITTSBORO, N.C. AUGUST 17-19 With three big nights of camping and jams in central North Carolina, Big Something leads an impressive lineup. THEBIGWHAT.COM

WILDWOOD REVIVAL

FRONT PORCH FEST

ATHENS, GA. AUGUST 18-20 The hipness of Athens retreats to the countryside of 30-acre Cloverleaf Farm for a laidback, intimate festival that features top national acts playing in an open-air barn along with an artisan market, local beer and food, and even a Sunday morning Wiffle ball game.

STUART, VA. AUGUST 31SEPTEMBER 3 This relaxed weekend campout sits on the picturesque Spirit Haven Farm in Patrick County. Bands this year: Col. Bruce Hampton, Brother Jocephus and the Love Revolution, and Dangermuffin. FRONTPORCHFEST.COM

WILDWOODREVIVAL.COM

HOT AUGUST MUSIC FESTIVAL COCKEYSVILLE, MD. AUGUST 19 Soak up that hot August sun with the best of rock, folk, and bluegrass. Lineup TBD. HOTAUGUSTMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

VIRGINIA CRAFT BREWERS FEST CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. AUGUST 19 Over 50 Virginia breweries make their way to this annual festival, this year moving to a new site at the IX Art Park in downtown Charlottesville. VACRAFTBREWERSFEST.COM

LOCKN’ MUSIC FESTIVAL ARRINGTON, VA AUGUST 24-27 The ultimate jam rock marathon takes place on the scenic grounds of Nelson County’s Oak Ridge Farm, located about halfway between Charlottesville and Lynchburg. The main stage at the Lockn’ Music Festival rotates like a turntable, so sets between acts are linked together and fans don’t miss a note of music due to overlap. Add morning and late night sets at the Blue Ridge Bowl side stage and you’ll be basking in sonic overload. The huge line-up mixes classic rock vets, roots heroes, and jam band upstarts, this year including Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, John Fogerty, Widespread Panic, and the Avett Brothers. LOCKNFESTIVAL.COM

JAM IN THE TREES BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. AUGUST 25-26 Pisgah Brewing Company is the place to be for this two-day progressive bluegrass bash. Bands on the bill: Acoustic Syndicate, the Infamous Stringdusters, Peter Rowan, Larry Keel, and Jim Lauderdale. JAMINTHETREES.COM

RTE. 23 MUSIC FESTIVAL WISE, VA. AUGUST 26 This fun little fest on the rise features a great line-up at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

BREWGRASS FESTIVAL

JAM FISH MUSIC FESTIVAL MOUNT SIDNEY, VA. SEPTEMBER 1-2 This annual Labor Day weekend festival celebrates local arts and food and grassroots music. JAMFISHMUSICFESTIVAL.COM

APPALOOSA FESTIVAL FRONT ROYAL, VA. SEPTEMBER 1-3 Celtic-minded string outfit Scythian hosts this three-day roots music festival in Front Royal; this year featuring sets by the Black Lilies, Mipso, and many more. APPALOOSAFESTIVAL.COM

ABINGDON MAIN STREET BUSKERFEST ABINGDON, VA. SEPTEMBER 2 Street performers of all stripes are the main event at this festival in downtown Abingdon. MAINSTREETBUSKERFEST.COM

HOPSCOTCH FESTIVAL RALEIGH, N.C. SEPTEMBER 7-10 Every year an eclectic mix of indie rock and experimental acts converge in downtown Raleigh for this annual festival. HOPSCOTCHMUSICFEST.COM

MOUNTAIN SONG FESTIVAL BREVARD, N.C. SEPTEMBER 8-10 The Steep Canyon Rangers curate another weekend of spectacular bluegrass at the Brevard Music Center’s open-air auditorium. Additional bands: Hot Rize, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Mipso, and Sierra Hull. MOUNTAINSONGFESTIVAL.COM

GAULEY FEST SUMMERSVILLE, W.VA. SEPTEMBER 14-17 This bash brings together class V whitewater runs, live music, and boater shenanigans at the biggest paddling festival in the world. AMERICANWHITEWATER.ORG

ASHEVILLE, N.C. SEPTEMBER TBD New beer festivals keep popping up everywhere, but, started two decades ago, Brewgrass was around long before the current craft beer boom. This pioneering event features tasty offerings from 50 craft breweries and a full day of progressive bluegrass. BREWGRASSFESTIVAL.COM

BRISTOL RHYTHM AND ROOTS REUNION BRISTOL, TENN./VA. SEPTEMBER 15-17 This annual fest incorporates roots music from all generations, featuring a range of artists from national headliners to regional upstarts to down home Appalachian pickers playing along the bustling main drag of State Street. Confirmed acts include Hiss Golden Messenger, Southern Culture on the Skids, Jesse McReynolds, the Whisky Gentry, and Susto; with some big headliners still to be announced. BRISTOLRHYTHM.COM

WATERMELON PARK FEST BERRYVILLE, VA. SEPTEMBER 21-24 This small Americana gathering in Berryville feature some serious sounds along the scenic Shenandoah River. The initial lineup includes Marty Stuart, Keller Williams, and the Seldom Scene, and more will be added in late May. WATERMELONPARKFEST.COM

WORLD CHICKEN FESTIVAL LONDON, KY. SEPTEMBER 21-24 It doesn’t get much more Southern than this. Country music and delicious fried chicken dominate this Kentucky fest. CHICKENFESTIVAL.COM

IMAGINE MUSIC FESTIVAL ATLANTA, GA. SEPTEMBER 22-24 Feel the untz. The Atlanta Motor Speedway is the site of this electronic dance music blowout. IMAGINEFESTIVAL.COM

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M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

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HOOPLA ROSELAND, VA. SEPTEMBER 28OCTOBER 1 This emerging festival at the Devils Backbone Brewing Company Basecamp Brewpub and Meadows will feature a long weekend of live music, as well as plenty of delicious craft beers and outdoor playtime. DBBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

WIDE OPEN BLUEGRASS RALEIGH, N.C. SEPTEMBER 29-30 Always full of High Lonesome heroes, this two-day festival closes the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass Week in downtown Raleigh. Line-up still TBD. WIDEOPENBLUEGRASS.COM

GRAHAM PARSONS GUITAR PULL AND TRIBUTE FESTIVAL WAYCROSS, GA. SEPTEMBER 29-30 The true country legend gets a proper tribute at this multi-band festival. STGDFEST.COM

THE FESTY EXPERIENCE ARRINGTON, VA. OCTOBER 5-8 Settled in to a new site, the expansive Infinity Downs in Arrington, about a half hour south of Charlottesville, this annual festival will feature its usual impressive roster of roots music acts, headed by the Infamous Stringdusters. In addition to the tunes, expect an experience full of local food, craft beer, and plenty of outdoor action, including the Blue Ridge Burn, the annual 10K/5K trail race hosted by Blue Ridge Outdoors. THEFESTY.COM

RIVERROCKS CHATTANOOGA, TENN. OCTOBER 6-21 Celebrating the best of Chattanooga, this fest features mountain biking, trail running, paddling races, hikes, and outdoor activities for novices and seasoned athletes alike. At night, enjoy great food and music by the river. RIVERROCKSCHATTANOOGA.COM

RICHMOND FOLK FESTIVAL RICHMOND, VA. OCTOBER 13-15 Celebrate the rich roots of American culture through music, dance, storytelling, and food at this yearly Richmond staple born out of this city’s previous reign as the host of the National Folk Festival. Lineup and events TBA. RICHMONDFOLKFESTIVAL.ORG

GO OUTSIDE FESTIVAL ROANOKE, VA. OCTOBER 13-15 Roanoke continues to up its game as an outdoor mecca, boasting a bevy of recreation opportunities in town and in the surrounding Roanoke Valley. Highlighting all of the action is this annual festival, which turns River’s Edge Sports Complex into a mountain sports playground filled with running, biking, climbing, slacklining, paddling, and fishing. Organizers of this threeday fest, set along the Roanoke River, want it to be an event that offers more than gear gazing. Accordingly, they encourage everyone to participate, offering 125 activities over the course of the long weekend, from climbing clinics and bike demo rides to survival classes and a hiker obstacle course. The festival also features 12 races, including a half-marathon and beer relay. Live music, craft beer, and onsite camping mean you’ll have a chance to party after all the adventure.

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BRIDGE JAM OCTOBER 20-21 FAYETTEVILLE, W.VA. Fayetteville’s legendary Bridge Day gets a complementary music festival downtown at the Cascade Festival Grounds. Get down to the sounds of bluegrass, country, and rock in this fun little town on the edge of the New River Gorge. THEBRIDGEJAM.COM

TOWN POINT VIRGINIA FALL WINE FESTIVAL NORFOLK, VA. OCTOBER 21-22 Taste 200 of the Commonwealth’s finest wines at Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk. FESTEVENTS.ORG

TOWNSEND GRAINS & GRITS FESTIVAL TOWNSEND, TENN. NOVEMBER 4 Head to the Smokies and enjoy craft spirits and gourmet grub made in the South. GRAINSANDGRITSFEST.COM

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S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

Genuine small town personality even in the midst of a big festival. Charming downtowns, beautiful mountain & friendly people Charming downtowns, beautiful mountain views &views friendly people who love who to celebrate, add up toall great featuring everything fromeverything railroad heritage love to all celebrate, addfestivals up to great festivals featuring from to classic cars. It’s uniquely Alleghany. railroad heritage to classic cars. It’s uniquely Alleghany.

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS: FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS THE ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS: George Washington Train Show: AprilIN 29-30 Douthat Lake Run Car Show: May 21 George Washington Train Show: April 29-30 Alleghany Highlands Heritage Day & C&O Railway Festival: June 3 Lake Run Car Show: TheDouthat Homecoming Festival: JuneMay 9-1121 Alleghany Highlands Day &June C&O 23-24 Railway Festival: June 3 Covington Cork & Pork Heritage BBQ Festival: 39th Annual Street Scene Car Show: The Homecoming Festival: June 9-11August 12 Fall Foliage Festival: October 20-22 Covington Cork & Pork BBQ Festival: June 23-24

See a complete list of events at visitalleghanyhighlands.com 36th Annual Street Scene Car Show: August 12 Fall Foliage Festival: October 20-22

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Come to Madison for the hiking, history, artisans, scenery, the Taste of the Mountains, Music & Apple Harvest Festivals, the brewery, wineries, or your destination wedding! Stay in a B&B, cabin, camper, RV, lodge, vacation rental house, tent or even a yurt!

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The best gear for long days and crazy nights at multi-day festivals. BY JEDD FERRIS

SUNSKI ALTA ($55) Props to Sunski for removing the stress out of losing a pricey pair of shades. These lightweight frames are outfitted with UVA/B/400protective polarized lenses to provide a crystal-clear view of the main stage.

EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS NOMAD HAMMOCK STAND ($250) No trees near your campsite in Tent City? No worries. ENO's portable Nomad Hammock Stand is made with lightweight aluminum alloy poles that go up easily; simply attach the hammock to the durable shock cords. Compatible with any ENO hammock—it packs in a small 15-pound suitcase. ICEMULE PRO COOLER ($100) If you’re shuttling gear to your campsite, you’ll feel grateful for the IceMule. The large, portable cooler has room for 18 cans of your favorite beer, and high-performance insulation means those suds will stay cold for 24 hours. A key feature—the padded, ventilated backpack strap; perfect for long walks across festy grounds.

BIG KAT BUGGY ($399) This durable gear hauler makes festival-going hassle free. Just load it up, attach it to your tow hitch, and hit the road. Once you arrive, you can easily remove the Big Kat from your vehicle and roll it to your preferred destination.

HYDRO FLASK 10 OZ. ROCKS ($30) Hydro Flask’s 10 oz. Rocks glass is perfect for making craft cocktails at the campsite. Double-wall insulation keeps ice from melting for 24 hours, so your beverage of choice will always be chilly—even in a mid-summer heat wave.

GCI OUTDOOR SUNSHADE EAZY CHAIR ($50) Keep covered between sets with this portable chair and adjustable, removable shade, which rotates 270 degrees front to back.

YAKIMA SKYRISE TENT ($1,000) Be the envy of your festivarian neighbors with the Skyrise, a rooftop tent that easily attaches without tools to a Yakima roof rack with SKS Lock Cores. The well-ventilated tent pops quickly, and it comes with a wall-to-wall foam mattress for all-night comfort.

FORSAKE MEN’S LEWIS AND WOMEN’S ACADIA ($89.95-99.95) Festivals mean long days on your feet. Forsake’s Lewis for men and Acadia for women are similarly styled travel shoes made with lightweight breathable uppers to keep feet cool and sticky, grip-ready soles.

GREGORY CITRO ($120) This lightweight daypack features a moisture-wicking back panel for comfort in hot, sweaty fest conditions. It also includes quickaccess stretch pockets and sternum straps that stow everything from electronics to sunglasses.

PRINCETON TEC SYNC HEADLAMP ($17) The compact, versatile Sync offers 150 lumens of light and a dial-control that easily changes settings. With a 250-foot range and 150 hours of burn time, it's the perfect tool for festival goers.

M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

HAPPY TRAILS

NEW BEERWAYS AND LIQUOR TRAILS LEAD TO CLASSIC BLUE RIDGE ADVENTURES by MASON ADAMS These days, you can cap off a long day of adventure outside with local wine, beer and spirits without traveling far. The woods have gotten so thick with makers of craft beer, wine, cider, and spirits that it’s become fairly easy to sort them into trails that can be visited over the course of a day or two. Pair them with easy access to the Blue Ridge’s bounty of outdoor hotspots and you’ve got a road trip.

VIRGINIA’S BLUE RIDGE BEERWAY ROANOKE VALLEY, VA

visitroanokeva.com Not too long ago, Roanoke was thought of as an aging railroad town with few places to find local beer. That all changed after early 2012, when the Virginia city 50

finished as runner-up to Asheville in the competition for Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s eastern facility. Regional economic development officials started targeting the craft beer sector. The push paid off last year when Deschutes Brewery and Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits both announced plans to build in or just outside the Star City. The arrival of the West Coast brewers shouldn’t obscure the fact that Roanoke-grown brewers have also built up a hardy local scene. The Roanoke Valley’s embrace of craft beer comes at a time when it’s also pursuing status as an emerging outdoor city, attracting outfitters, putting on outside-centric festivals and touting the recreational opportunities that beckon just a few miles away.

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 017

DO THIS: The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon Series

attracts runners from around the world for its hills, but don’t overlook the Mountain Junkies Non Ultra Trail Series, built around 10K races building up to a trail marathon at Carvins Cove Natural Reserve. Road cyclists will find plenty of loops on and off the Blue Ridge Parkway, while paddlers can explore numerous blueway networks along the James, Blackwater, Pigg, and New rivers. DRINK THIS: The

breweries along the beerway offer a wide variety of styles and settings. The Big Lick Brewery, located downtown, rarely brews the same recipe twice and has worked through dozens of different beers since opening in 2014. Its current location can get a bit packed on weekends, but the brewery is building a new facility up the road with a lot more space. In neighboring Salem, Parkway

Brewing Company hosts live music in a lively space that’s become a friendly community gathering spot.

SHENANDOAH SPIRITS TRAIL WINCHESTER—HARRISONBURG, VA

shenandoahspiritstrail.com Encompassing 27 wineries, craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries between Harrisonburg and Winchester, the Shenandoah Spirits Trail has a little something for everyone, or at least everyone of drinking age. It ain’t quite Napa, but the Shenandoah Valley is soaked in Virginia wine. Harrisonburg, meanwhile, has become a quiet mecca for craft brewers. Convenient to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive to the east and George

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SHINE ON The Southeast has a long tradition of homebrewed spirits—both to avoidance whiskey taxes and to ensure the quality of product. In recent years, a number of regional distilleries have opened to sell legal spirits, many with recipes based on the corn liquor made through the 19th and 20th centuries in stills hidden back in the mountains.

CATOCTIN CREEK DISTILLERY

PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA

Located in Loudoun County, the multiple award-winning Catoctin Creek Distillery makes spirits from locally sourced organic fruit and grains. Its products include rye whisky, gin, brandy and three varieties of its signature Roundstone Rye. Think high-end craft distillery. CATOCTINCREEKDISTILLING.COM

FIVE MILE MOUNTAIN DISTILLERY FLOYD, VIRGINIA

Located in the heart of 1930s bootleg country, near some of the most famous running routes out of neighboring Franklin County, so-called “Moonshine Capital of the World, Five Mile Mountain Distillery operates out of a former public service building that pumped and treated water from Dodds Creek. It makes three varieties of corn and barley whiskey. 5MILEMOUNTAIN.COM

BROADSLAB DISTILLERY BENSON, NORTH CAROLINA

Broadslab master distiller Jeremy Norris makes liquor from a family recipe passed down from his grandfather. Their list of products includes three varieties of corn whiskey and two of rum. BROADSLABDISTILLERY.COM

SUGARLANDS DISTILLING CO. GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE

The tourist-baiting city of Gatlinburg, just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sports several

A SAMPLING OF BREWERIES YOU'LL FIND ALONG THE SHENANDOAH SPIRITS TRAIL.

distilleries. Sugarlands clearly attracts many moonshine tourists, marketing a large variety of flavored moonshinebased liquors that range between 40 and 100 proof. SUGARLANDSDISTILLING.COM

RIVER HILL WINE AND SPIRITS LURAY, VIRGINIA

The Shenandoah Valley has its own bootlegging history, less celebrated than that of Franklin County but no less authentic. This small distillery taps into that history by producing corn whiskey, along with bourbon and wine. While you’re there, you might pick up some cuts of farm-grown beef, which are also available for sale. RIVERHILLDISTILLERY.COM POPCORN SUTTON'S TENNESSEE WHITE WHISKEY NEWPORT, TENNESSEE

Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton was the real deal, a longtime moonshiner who played up his image as a character to sell his self-published autobiography while continuing to bootleg in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. In 2009 he committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning to avoid serving time after being convicted of moonshining and illegal firearms possession. Country singer Hank Williams Jr. partnered with Sutton’s widow to sell whiskey based on his recipes and production method. The 50,000-squarefoot distillery is designed for commercial production but is open for tours. POPCORNSUTTON.COM

Washington National Forest to the west, the locations along the Shenandoah Spirits Trail are perfect for cooling down after a romp in the woods. DO THIS: Road cyclists will flock to Skyline Drive, which connects on its southern end to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Shenandoah National Park has more than 500 miles of trail and is open to backcountry camping, fishing and rock-climbing. Spelunkers will find an embarrassment of riches, from well-lit show caverns to wild caves that hide in unexpected places. There’s even a Virginia Cave and Karst Trail with a concentration of sites in this area. DRINK THIS: Harrisonburg’s

Pale Fire Brewing Co doesn’t just make tasty beer, but offers an exceedingly comfy place to drink it. Located in a renovated ice house building, the brewery has sofas, a fireplace and an inhouse library, among other features. Or visit Winchester Cider Works, which ages its hard cider in brandy, bourbon, rye and rum barrels.

NELSON 151 TRAIL NELSON COUNTY, VA

nelson151.com Snuggled between the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville, in the shadow of Afton Mountain, the Rockfish Valley in the northern part of Nelson County, Virginia, has developed a pretty heady line-up that includes five wineries, three breweries and a cidery. Within just a few miles of one another, you’ll find Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Blue Mountain Brewery, Wild Wolf Brewing Company and Bold Rock Hard Cider, all of whom are making waves in the brewing world. And for outdoor attractions? Oh, just the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. DO THIS: Like the Shenandoah Spirits Trail, Nelson 151 is just a mountain descent from Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Hikers, however, should not miss Crabtree Falls, a series of five major cascades M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

STOPS ALONG BREW TRAILS ARE HOT SPOTS TO CHILL AFTER AN APPALACHIAN ADVENTURE.

and several smaller ones that plunge 1,200 feet. For more of a challenge, keep going to the Appalachian Trail, where you can head north to the Priest or south to Spy Rock, which presents 360-degree views. DRINK THIS: It’s hard to go wrong with any of the breweries or cidery along Nelson 151, but there’s a reason Devils Backbone has dominated the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup: It makes great, Germaninfluenced beer that goes well beyond the standard lager and IPA. Not far down the road at Bold Rock Hard Cider, visitors can watch tons of apples get crushed in a large cider press or just enjoy a beverage above the Rockfish River.

ASHEVILLE ALE TRAIL WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

ashevillealetrail.com Roanoke is chomping at its heels, but Asheville still reigns as Appalachia’s beer city. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and New Belgium Brewing Company both built here because of the mountain 52

mecca’s bubbling local scene. I still remember the outpouring after North Carolina lawmakers removed the state’s longstanding 6 percent ABV cap in 2005, inspiring the mad brewing scientists of Asheville to ever greater heights. Since then the brewers in Asheville and greater western North Carolina have taken it to the next level, expanding and experimenting with an ever growing number of styles. Their concoctions taste even better after a day spent in the nearby outdoor playgrounds of Pisgah National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Weed Brewing’s dedicated taproom in the South Slope Brewery District, which has more than a dozen varieties of sour and barrel-aged beer on tap. Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co. is one of the best, most family friendly breweries in the Southeast, with sci-fi decor on the walls, a game room and cheap, late-run movies. Or, if you want to go old-school and explore Asheville’s beer roots, check out the Green Man Brewery downtown.

BREWLY NOTED BEER TRAIL BRISTOL, KINGSPORT AND JOHNSON CITY

brewlynotedbeertrail.com DO THIS: The 30.1-mile Art Loeb Trail delivers vista after panorama after scenic view. If you catch Black Balsam in season, grab handfuls of wild blueberries along the trail for an onthe-go snack. Take along Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain to read for context as you crest that particular summit.

B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 017

DRINK THIS: Pair your outdoor escapades with adventuresome beer at the Funkatorium, Wicked

Brewly Noted touts itself as the first multi-state beer trail, centered around the Tri-Cities of Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. The region sits roughly equidistant between Asheville, Knoxville, and Roanoke, making it a great stopover that’s deserving of exploration in its own right. The Brewly Noted Beer Trail includes nine craft breweries. It comes with an app that not only allows

users to check into various breweries and tap houses, but also awards koozies and t-shirts for visiting enough of them. DO THIS: Cyclists should head east to the Virginia Creeper Trail, which runs 35 miles along an old rail bed between Abingdon and Whitetop, Virginia. Hikers and rock climbers, meanwhile, might think about going west to explore the the Great Channels of Virginia, a set of slot canyons that feel like a small slice of southeast Utah set in Appalachia. DRINK THIS: Johnson City’s Yee-Haw Brewing Co. makes a variety of beers that stand out from the pack, including its dunkel and maibock lager. On weekend nights, the brewery stands out as a destination in Johnson City’s growing nightlife scene. For East Tennessee’s spin on apples, check out the Gypsy Circus Cider Company in Kingsport, which makes ciders such as Raindancer, Queen of Swords, Fire Juggler and Vaudevillian.

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Welcome to summer in the big, blue sky. Where hiking-boot-mornings turn to bikini-afternoons, fishing flies are chosen as wisely as swinging clubs, and the thirst for gravity and velocity never goes unquenched. Where a perfectly banked downhill mountain bike line is worshiped as much as a perfectly seared scallop. And where every day, without a doubt, is an invitation for more adventure, and more sticky memories. Welcome to summer on The Mountain.

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These days, the worlds of beer and adventure are inextricably linked. From pub runs to beersponsored bike races, every time we step out the door to recreate, it seems as if the suds are right there with us. But is this boozy relationship good or bad for the outdoor community?

through the Tye River area. Two of their beers even support outdoorrelated non-profits—proceeds from the Trail Angel Weiss benefit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy while $1 per case sale of Striped Bass Pale Ale goes to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “To me, adventure and beer go hand in hand and one without the other would be disappointing,” says Crandall. Not everybody in the adventure

IT’S ALL ABOUT GETTING THAT INSTAGRAM PHOTO OF A BEER WITH THEIR BIKE AND POSTING ABOUT HOW COOL THEIR DAY WAS.

ig beer brands like Coors Light, Budweiser, and Miller Light have gone arm in arm with mainstream sports for decades, sponsoring everything from baseball teams to soccer leagues. But as the craft beer industry has continued to blossom across the country, so, too, has the relationship between beer and adventure sports, once considered at the fringe of modern day athletics. This trend, says Devils Backbone Brewing Company founder Steve Crandall, came as little surprise to him. After a ski trip to Cortina, Italy, in 1992, where he and his wife spent their days skiing from village to village drinking Weihenstephaner, Crandall recognized that both the skiing and the beer were integral to the cultural identity of this southern Alps town. A decade later, having hiked and hunted throughout the American West, Crandall saw the beginnings of that same rapport as small-scale breweries started popping up in towns boasting backdoor access to recreation. “There’s nothing better than going out and having an adventure, whether

by JESS DADDIO

it’s mountain biking or hiking or floating, and at the end of that adventure, sitting down with those people and regaling each other with what an amazing time you had over a couple of beers,” Crandall says. Thus, Crandall’s vision for Devils Backbone Brewing Company was born. Situated at the foothills of Three Ridges Wilderness and Wintergreen Resort, Crandall wanted the brewery to be as much a part of

the adventure as the adventure itself. Throughout the year, the brewery hosts guided hikes as well as on-site mountain bike races and a 75-mile Brewery 2 Brewery road ride from their Lexington Outpost Brewery to the Basecamp Brewpub in Nelson County. During thru-hiker season, the brewery offers free shuttles, free camping, and a $5 breakfast for Appalachian Trail hikers passing

community shares Crandall’s sentiment. Take Brevard-based adventure photographer Tim Koerber. Koerber’s lost a few friends and family members to liver failure and other byproducts of alcoholism. Personally, he doesn’t drink much, although he doesn’t see the harm in a post-ride beer at the parking lot. But he’s worried that some of his friends might be unable to have, as Crandall put it, “one without the other.” “They crack a beer in the morning and slowly drink all day,” Koerber says. “They’re never drunk, but I’ve also never known them to go a day or two without a few drinks.” That, coupled with the overwhelming presence of beer at organized races and even casual group rides, has Koerber concerned that it’s sending the wrong message to the outdoor community. Particularly in places like Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest, where alcohol is clearly not allowed, Koerber finds it discouraging that trail users ignore

M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

ReCreate M EMO R I E S

the rules for a buzz. “I won't come down on someone for enjoying a ‘sports beverage’ or two, but I think that the whole community needs to have an awakening in a sense,” he says. “We don't need to have folks out there on six or 10 beer rides. We don't need to be getting wasted on the water. What happens when there's an incident on the trail, maybe a head-on collision with a hiker, or a runner, WHAT SAY YOU?

How do you feel about mixing alcohol and adventure? Leave a comment at BlueRidgeOutdoors.com or drop us a Tweet @GoOutAndPlay using the hashtag #BeerAndAdventure

or a horse? And it comes out that alcohol was involved? That's the day that I fear the most. It will happen, it's just a matter of when.” Iron Mountain CrossFit owner Paul Gadola says that alcohol can also hinder performance.

LAT

38.5798° N

According to the American Athletic Institute, alcohol causes dehydration and decelerates the body’s healing process, resulting in double the injury rate for weekly drinkers (54.8 percent) versus non-drinkers (23.5 percent). Getting drunk, even once, can cause athletes to lose up to two weeks of training benefits. “There’s also the issue of people who want a six pack and it’s like, well, you probably want to stop drinking those excessive calories,” Gadola says. “Especially with crossfit, intensity [of a workout] does matter, but consistency matters more. If you drink too much one night and you don’t show up to work out the next day, it just starts this downward spiral.” Still, Gadola argues that if an active person enjoys running or cycling for the psychological benefits the activity affords, as opposed to the competitive stimulus, he doesn’t see the

LONG

CARB LOADING DRINKING ALCOHOL DURING AND AFTER EXERCISE DECELERATES THE BODY'S HEALING PROCESS, BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP MANY FROM IMBIBING IN THE WOODS. courtesy of OSK AR BLUES BREWERY

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M AY 2 017 / B L U E R I D G E O U T D O O R S . C O M

harm in tossing back a few beers, too. Alcohol, not unlike running or biking, releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins in the brain, all of which are known contributors to increasing happiness and decreasing stress. “If you’re trying to win races and you’re really trying to increase performance, [drinking] is not what I would advise,” he says, “but if they’re out having fun and enjoying the psychological state created by the drinking and the sense of community and belonging, that can be more important for your health and wellbeing.” “Most people who are focused on the outdoor lifestyle are also much less likely to overindulge because they want to be able to enjoy the mountain biking or paddling, and it’s hard to do that when you’re drunk,” says Oskar Blues Brewery spokesperson Aaron Baker. A 2016 study conducted by The Harris Poll found that 57 percent of regular craft brew drinkers exercise

I THINK THE WHOLE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO HAVE AN AWAKENING. several times per week. Additionally, two out of three craft beer lovers say they are more likely to attend a brewery-sponsored health or wellness event if a beverage is included. The study also found that craft beer fans drink less overall than big beer brand consumers. Oskar Blues has seen these facts play out firsthand at the brewery. For starters, every Oskar Blues employee that works at the brewery for two years receives a free Reeb mountain bike. As a result, the company culture is overwhelmingly active. Every Thursday, the Oskar Blues Brevard location is packed with

cyclists who show up for the weekly group ride, and the brewery’s larger events, like its signature Burning Can festival, attract outdoor enthusiasts of every type. The festival takes place on the Oskar Blues Reeb Ranch, a 140-acre property that neighbors DuPont State Forest and is home to world-class dirt jumps, a pump track, slalom course, and a handful of crosscountry trails. “It’s definitely a part of what we do,” Baker says. “Overall, I think the industries help one another. There is a ton of crossover with people who enjoy outdoor recreation and also enjoy beer,” a fact, he says, that has been integral in redefining the economic structure of Brevard after the town’s two key manufacturing employers shut down in the early 2000s. Back in Beer City, U.S.A., aka Asheville, N.C., Astral employee Ty Caldwell is an anomaly among his beer-drinking, whitewater kayaking friends. Caldwell’s never had a drop of the stuff, which means he’s

1,102 “Tastes great! Keeps for a long time. Good for camping, preppers, boats, etc. Just add hot water, zip it closed for 7-8 minutes, then eat! My family loves the lasagna, chicken teryaki, and beef stew.” - CF

usually the shuttle bunny by default. He doesn’t mind, necessarily, that every outing he’s on involves booze to some degree, but he can’t help but wonder if it’s more about the “cool factor” associated with partying and recreating. “It’s all about getting that Instagram photo of their beer at Sunshine [on the Green River Narrows] or their beer with their bike and posting about how cool their day was,” Caldwell says. “I was on a birthday ride last week and everyone shotgunned a beer before going. Maybe it’s the camaraderie they enjoy, but hell, I don’t want to do that before I go climb up a side of the mountain.” In general, though, Caldwell has rarely come across a group of paddlers on the Narrows, his hometown class V run, where he was genuinely concerned about their level of intoxication. He says that, with the exception of Gauley Fest, which is notoriously rowdy, most people know their limits when it comes to boozin’ in the outdoors.

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T H E A P PA L A C H I A N

FOOD REVOLUTION by JESS DADDIO

WHY IS SUCH A BOUNTIFUL REGION STRUGGLING TO GET HEALTHY FOOD ONTO DINNER TABLES?

n the outskirts of Staunton, Va., sits a little red brick building with a screen door and whitewash shutters. It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but what happens inside the aptly named restaurant The Shack is emblematic of a movement that is much larger than its 400-square-foot space. “Do I cook Appalachian food? Well, I cook food of the region inspired by the region with ingredients from the region, so sure, I’m an Appalachian chef. Why not?” says The Shack’s owner and chef Ian Boden. His hesitancy to associate with the label “Appalachian” might come across as crass were it not for the fact that The Shack is a tribute to Boden’s wife’s Grandma Tissy, who raised her children in a humble cabin nearby. The Shack’s logo is an artistic rendering of Grandma Tissy’s home. Inside the restaurant, framed black and white photos of the family’s

history adorn the walls. “She was the epitome of Appalachian hospitality,” says Boden. “She raised the neighborhood even though she had no money. She gardened, she canned, she bartered, she did whatever she had to do to get by and feed her family.” It’s that sense of good-natured, open door geniality that Boden was yearning for after spending nearly a decade in New York’s exclusive restaurant scene. His own RussianHungarian-Jewish upbringing in northern Virginia, which at the time was largely farmland, fostered a strong sense of place that he hardly realized was important to him until he ate at restaurants that missed the mark. “It felt forced,” he says of eating at a barbeque restaurant in New York. “It felt like a hoax,” not because of the ingredients or techniques the restaurant used, says Boden. “I think it’s a feel.”

FORAGING FOR WILD MUSHROOMS, FRUITS, AND ROOTS IS A MAINSTAY OF APPALACHIA'S FOOD HERITAGE. MIKE COSTELLO

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food in general has been pigeonholed into a stereotype, a caricature of itself,” Boden says. “People have simplified what The Shack was listed as runnerAppalachia is. They’ve tried to up for best new restaurant in boil it down to its essence and Esquire’s inaugural American what they think the essence of Food and Drink Awards in 2014 it is is completely off-base.” and ranked as one of Southern No one understands this Living's Best Restaurants in misperception more than the South. Boden’s locally chef Mike Costello. His own sourced dishes reflect the blend Appalachian roots can be of Appalachian and eastern traced back to the late European influence in his 1800s when his greatlife: chicken and dumplings grandmother moved made with matzo, butterbean to Helvetia, W.Va., hummus without the chickpeas. from Switzerland at Despite his tendency to hold the age of 10. For so labels like “Appalachian” and long, Appalachian “farm-to-table” at arm’s length, culture and cuisine Appalachian food advocates are has been depicted rejoicing in the national coverage as a monoculture, restaurants like The Shack are Costello says, and receiving for one reason—the with mainstream region is finally being recognized media playing into as the culturally diverse hotbed that skewed portrait, that it is. he worries that it’s gsi_2017_BeerWine_BlueRidgeOutdoors_5.2017_r.1.pdf 1 3/27/2017 1:14:42 PM “Appalachian and southern even affecting how

SO WHAT IS APPALACHIAN FOOD?

CHEF AND LOCAL FOOD ADVOCATE MIKE COSTELLO POSES ON LOST CREEK FARM, A PROPERTY HE AND HIS WIFE INHERITED FROM HER FAMILY. MIKE COSTELLO

COSTELLO HOPES DISHES LIKE HIS MUSHROOM SLATE (TOP) AND VENISON MEATLOAF (BOTTOM) WILL CHANGE THE STEREOTYPE OF APPALACHIAN CUISINE. SHAWN POYNTER

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Appalachians view themselves. “Our heritage here in Appalachia is so rich and so diverse. Food is our opportunity to tell a better, more accurate story of Appalachia,” he says. “If you ask someone what are three items they think of when they hear ‘Appalachian food’ they’ll say biscuits and gravy and country ham. What might surprise people about Appalachia is something like an eastern European borscht is just as Appalachian as gravy and Italian sausage is just as Appalachian as country ham. The list goes on and on.” Through their 170-acre property, Lost Creek Farm, Mike and his wife Amy are giving Appalachia’s food heritage the voice it never had. They forage for wild ramps, plant heirloom crops, pickle and can. Then they take those ingredients, as well as their own family stories, on the road. From The Central Collective in Knoxville to Rising Creek in Mount Morris, Penn., Mike and Amy’s schedule is packed with pop-up dinners and culinary workshops throughout and beyond Appalachia. Part dining, part storytelling, their message is simple: Appalachian food is defined by sense of place. “What they eat at the base of New York state, the top of the Appalachian region, is completely different than what they eat in northern Georgia,” adds chef Travis Milton. Like Costello, Milton’s past is rooted deep in the hills of Appalachia. Originally from Castlewood, Va., Milton decided to return to his hometown to open not just one but three restaurants in Southwest Virginia that pay homage to the food and farm culture on which he was raised. His restaurants feature items like leather britches, sour corn (think sauerkraut, but with corn), and Candy Roaster squash, an heirloom variety native to central Appalachia. Having worked as a chef outside of Appalachia for years, Milton says that when he finally made the decision to head out on his own, he knew his restaurant had to be

close to home. “One of the things I preach is being non-extractive,” Milton says. “If I open an Appalachian restaurant in Richmond, what benefit is the Appalachian region seeing other than the word ‘Appalachian’ appearing in an article in the magazine? I wanted to come back here because foodways can be a part of the economic diversification that needs to happen in Appalachia.”

RECLAIMING SENSE OF PLACE

What Milton is putting into action is something indicative of Appalachia as a whole: an unabashed sense of pride in place. It’s a fierce, determined pride, subtle, not gloating, and according to Milton and Costello both, if the region could just harness that passion, Appalachians might stand a chance of actually deciding their economic future, as opposed to having an outside industry dictate it for them. The problem, says Costello, has everything to do with the stigma surrounding all things Appalachian. “When I first worked at a restaurant in Charleston, the further away ingredients came from the better,” Costello says. “In a place like West Virginia, ‘local’ was not a symbol of quality. It was frowned upon. We sort of have this tendency to see what we have to offer as not all that special or marketable. We look at other states and see what looks popular and then try to do it here. What we come up with is a much less authentic version.” Costello likens this phenomenon to opening a beach-themed water park in the mountains—it just doesn’t make sense. As with the region’s musical heritage and outdoor recreational amenities, Costello wants Appalachians, and especially West Virginians, to honor their place-based food heritage and be the ones to share those stories. Otherwise, somebody else will. “If there’s a chef in Brooklyn who’s decided that he’s going to show off an Appalachian menu with ramps

CHEF TRAVIS MILTON RETURNED TO HIS SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA ROOTS TO OPEN NOT JUST ONE BUT THREE RESTAURANTS THAT WILL FEATURE MENU ITEMS LIKE LEATHER BRITCHES AND SOUR CORN. BETH FURGURSON

HAWK KNOB CIDERY IN LEWISBURG, W.VA., USES 100 PERCENT HERITAGE VARIETY APPLES TO CRAFT A PRODUCT THAT IS TRUE TO ITS ROOTS. courtesy of HAWK KNOB CIDERY

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"THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR KEEPING THINGS CLOSE TO HOME." JOSH BENNETT

and morels, if he doesn’t know those stories behind those things, it goes from Appalachian food to Brooklyn food that just so happens to have some Appalachian ingredients,” he says. “There is a movement around Appalachian food right now and if we don’t do enough to insert ourselves in the narrative, that’s going to continue to happen and those rich stories about our land, our people, and the traditions connected to that land aren’t going to be told and that’s going to be a real shame for Appalachia.” Josh Bennett doesn’t need to be told to own his story. A West Virginia native, Bennett is keeping the cidermaking traditions of his community alive through Hawk Knob Cidery in Lewisburg, W.Va. The cidery, which Bennett started with his business partner Will Lewis back in December 2015, is West Virginia’s first cidery. Dry yet approachable, Hawk Knob’s ciders are unique not only in their slight bourbon aftertaste (a result of using oak casks for barrel aging), but in the fact that Bennett uses 100 percent West Virginia heritage variety apples. “Financially it’s quite a bit harder to do,” Bennett says of sourcing locally, particularly with heritage varieties. “If I weren’t dedicated to having a truly West Virginian grown product, I could do this a whole

lot cheaper. But in the end, it’s not going to be the same kind of product. There’s something to be said for keeping things close to home.”

LOCAL FOOD ON THE NATIONAL AGENDA

Business for Hawk Knob has been good. In the first three months of opening, the cidery sold out of product. For Bennett, the challenge isn’t so much getting West Virginians to drink his cider—it’s connecting the dots to form a bigger picture that puts West Virginia right up there with its Virginia neighbor as a food and beverage destination unto its own. “Napa Valley didn’t happen because there were a couple of producers doing their own thing,” Bennett says. “Napa Valley happened because of a conglomeration of growers and the state backing that industry. We have the same potential here. We’ve had to shoulder the weight ourselves of promoting this sort of thing. There’s a lot of room for the state to be involved.” More importantly, argues Burnsville, N.C.,-based author Ronni Lundy, the federal government should be involved, too. Lundy, a Corbin, Ky., native, has spent the better part of her career immersing herself in Appalachian culture. Her recently released book, Victuals (pronounced,

“vidls”), explores Appalachian food traditions across the region. In eight years of research for Victuals, Lundy says she was heartened to see the regional food movement’s scope thus far, but fears the change in political agenda may be a detriment to that energy. “What we have right now is a moment. People are interested in the food and the stories we’re telling about that food, but we’re scrambling as fast as we can to figure out how to make it economically feasible for us,” says Lundy. “If we could get just a little bit of help in the right places, we could do just fine, but I’m afraid we’re again going to become a colony for an extractive industry.” The federal government’s change in priorities is proving especially worrisome given that federal grants from the Obama-era POWER Initiative are already in play in Appalachia’s coalfields. Some of that money created small-scale agriculture programs, like Refresh Appalachia. But those funds aren’t endless, and many are concerned about the future of initiatives that support agriculture. As central Appalachia in particular seeks other means of economic diversification while battling ongoing health crises like obesity and food deserts, these programs are desperately needed.

LOCAL FOOD ACCESS IN APPALACHIA: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

For some communities, simply finding local produce is hard enough, let alone affording a “farm-totable” meal. In central Appalachia, where poverty rates are high, car ownership is low, and distances to grocery stores can be over 10 miles, people are especially at risk of losing access to fresh fruits and vegetables altogether. In West Virginia and North Carolina, for example, four out of five counties are considered food deserts. That number is increasing by the day as Wal-marts force momand-pop grocery stores out of business and then, as in the most recent case of McDowell County, W.Va., Walmarts begin shutting their doors, too. There’s another underlying issue that is essential to understanding the current state of Appalachia. As a whole, the region is losing population at an alarming rate. In McDowell County, population dropped 2.2 percent in 2015, bringing its overall population below 20,000 for the first time since the 1900 census. “My generation, we were encouraged to go away if you were smart, if you were talented, if you were good in some field,” says Lundy, now in her late 60s. “You were

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encouraged to get your education somewhere else and establish your life somewhere else.” That’s exactly what many of Appalachia’s younger generations have been doing for decades. Factor in the former coal miners leaving the region in search of work, and it’s no wonder McDowell County’s Walmart decided it wasn’t economically viable to stay open. Refresh Appalachia is hoping to address some of those problems. The program, an arm of the Coalfield Development Corporation, targets disadvantaged young people ages 1825 and those that have lost coal jobs. In addition to providing small-scale farming experience and an Associate’s degree, Refresh Appalachia pays its participants above minimum wage for the nearly three-year duration of the program. That’s a drop in the bucket for former coal miners used to a $60,000 salary, but it’s an income nonetheless. “People who used to work in mining are going to be taking a huge

pay cut if they stay in the region, no matter what they do,” says Refresh Appalachia Program Director Savanna Lyons. “We want to give them all the tools they can to help them figure out this transition.” Programs like Refresh Appalachia are also helping tackle a much larger issue: the disparity between low-income families living in food deserts and farmers trying to make a living. Food labeled “local” is often associated with higher price tags, and rightfully so. It is more expensive to grow on and buy from a small-scale farm. Refresh Appalachia delivers its produce to communities where food access is limited and offers scheduled sliding scale pricing, but the struggle to implement accessibility regionwide is not going to be an easy obstacle to overcome. In Knoxville, Tenn., that access to fresh produce is very much a challenge. Despite the fact that Knox County has a farmers’ market nearly every day of the week, year-round, and that many of those markets

accept EBT and SNAP doubling, the county alone has 20 food deserts. According to Nourish Knoxville’s Executive Director Charlotte Tolley, part of the problem is that farmers’ markets feel too trendy, which alienates the people who could benefit from them the most. “East Knoxville is considered a food desert and that is one of the communities that feels like downtown is not ‘for them,’” says Tolley. “There’s some urban planning I would blame for that. The James White Parkway is a huge road that visually divides East Knoxville from downtown. It feels much more difficult to walk to, but we want to let people know that the farmers’ market and downtown is for everyone.” “Crummy food is subsidized and far more available and cheaper to people who have issues with money, and many of us in Appalachia have issues with money," adds Lundy. "We don’t want to gentrify food to such an extent that we make it impossible for the people who have worked so hard

to continue to live here to be able to eat.”

APPALACHIA’S FUTURE RETURNS TO ITS ROOTS

A 2016 economic report conducted by the University of Kentucky showed that the state ranks 11th in the country for CSA farms. In West Virginia, restaurants and lodging facilities have increased their purchase of local food by 360 percent. Restaurants in North Carolina like Rosetta's Kitchen in Asheville and F.A.R.M. Cafe in Boone are offering sliding scale meals and work-forpayment plans to help increase accessibility to local foods. Studies also show that staying local and living sustainably are of increasing importance to the millennial generation. Just ask Lars Prillaman, 33, of Shepherdstown, W.Va. Prillaman and his girlfriend Leslie own and operate Green Gate Farm where they grow vegetables, raise animals, and operate almost

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entirely on horsepower. Literally. Prillaman owns two Percheron draft mares, May and Tulip. Together, the two-horse team weighs in around 3,600 pounds. With their combined strength, the horses can take care of everything a tractor would normally do, from mowing to tilling. That’s all part of Prillaman’s plan to not only have a sustainable farm but to also reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Running a farm hasn’t been an easy, or extremely profitable, endeavor—after four years of operation, Prillaman says they finally turned a profit just last year. But he’s not in it for the money. It’s a lifestyle choice. “Things go wrong inherently in this line of work,” says Prillaman. “If you’re wanting a career that rakes in the dough, and you think organic agriculture is the next hot thing, forget it.” Prillaman is one of many in Appalachia going back to the region’s roots, and not because it’s the trendy

thing to do. Chef Mike Costello and his wife Amy inherited Lost Creek Farm, where Amy’s grandparents settled in the mid-1800s. Unlike Prillaman, Costello isn’t a full-time farmer yet. He and his wife both maintain part-time gigs to help supplement their lifestyle. But he says preserving the heritage and history of not just their farm but the region at large is something he is deeply committed to. “We wanted to operate a business that was very much based on sense of place and the heritage that’s connected to that place," says Costello. "The marketability of food is all about the story that’s attached to the food, and that’s what’s really giving us in Appalachia the opportunity we have today.” For Mountain State Trout owner Thomas Wimer, upholding his family’s history is precisely the reason he bought back the family hatchery two years ago. Nestled in the hills of Franklin, W.Va., the hatchery was first built in 1953 by Wimer’s

great grandfather. In 1990, he sold it out of the family, but Wimer was determined to buy it back and carry on the tradition. “I’ve been around all over the country and I love it here. I knew this is where I wanted to be and this is what I wanted to do." His trout have some of the cleanest, purest water in the region thanks to a spring that surfaces on the property from an underground cave. Wimer charges about $6.50 per pound for his frozen trout, which is cheaper even than the fish you’d find at Kroger. “My ancestors lived off the land, and I think there are a lot of people in our age group getting back to that idea because it makes sense. It’s what’s good.” Appalachia has long been painted as a region where dependency on outsiders is systemic, but that’s not been Wimer’s experience. Nor Costello’s or Milton’s. By and large, the backbone of their Appalachia has been a uniquely creative sense

of resilience and communitymindedness. “It’s hard as outsiders to visualize just how hard of a time this is in Appalachia,” says Refresh Appalachia’s Savanna Lyons, “but it’s not just a story about victims. It’s a story about people who have persevered in the region and have been through a lot of hard times. All of that tenacity is still here. These are truly resilient people.” The road ahead will be filled with no shortage of bumps and dead-ends. Restrictions on cottage industry food processing and an increasingly heated political and environmental climate mean farm and food advocates have their work cut out for them in the years to come. But there’s probably no other segment of America more accustomed to hard work than the people of Appalachia. “Hopefully we can come to more consensus in our communities and not have this great division,” says author Ronni Lundy. “If we can’t do it over food, we can’t do it over anything.”

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