Special Advertising Section
Sign up for a race or attend a festival this fall and winter at one of the many outoor happenings across the region. Check out some of our top picks here!
AUGUST
Old Fiddlers’ Convention
August 8-13
Felts Park, Galax, Va.
Since 1935, musicians young and old have gathered to exchange tunes, instruments, stories, and traditions. People camp, eat, play music, and forge friendships. In addition to the stage competitions, the jam sessions in the parking lot and camping areas will not disappoint. An American tradition in itself—The Old Fiddlers’ Convention sponsored by Moose Lodge #722 in Galax, Va.
visitgalax.com
Visit historic Lost River State Park!
August 20
Mathias, W.Va.
Hike or enjoy a guided horseback ride to Cranny Crow Overlook. You’ll always remember the view! Don’t miss the Lost River Classic Gravel Challenge & Rides, August 20! Proceeds will help build mountain bike trails in the park.
bikereg.com/lost-river-classic
SEPTEMBER
Beaver Dam Farm
Sunflower Festival
September
Buchanan, Va.
The Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival is the largest sunflower festival and vendor event on the East Coast. With over 100 handmade crafters, hay rides, music, children’s activities, and over 600,000 sunflowers, there is something for every age to enjoy.
BeaverDamSunflowers.com/events
Front Porch Fest
September 1-4
Spirithaven Farm, Stuart, Va.
This intimate gathering on the front porch to the Blue Ridge Mountains is perfect for families of all ages, seasoned festival goers, and first timers. With an entire volunteer staff this labor of love raises funds for local charities.
charities.frontporchfest.com
Gears and Guitars Bike Race
September 9-11
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Back for its ninth year, one of the country’s most prestigious cycling events combines with live music for a weekend of exciting racing, local riding, and a full weekend of FREE live music.
winstonsalemcycling.com
St. Charles Running Festival
September 10 St.
Charles, Md.
A flat, scenic event through St. Charles, starting and finishing at the Maryland Blue Crabs’ Regency Stadium. Participants and the public will enjoy a post-race party focused on the “Taste of Southern Maryland” food festival. Choose from a 5k or a 10k distance. Participants earn an Under Armour race shirt and finisher medal.
runstcharles.com
Patrick County Agricultural Fair
September 13-17
Rotary Field, Stuart, Va.
The Patrick County Agricultural Fair is held every year at Rotary Field in Stuart, Va. Enjoy classic fair rides, delicious food, carnival games on the midway, live music, exciting events like the demolition derby, and view the animals, produce, and artwork in competition.
patrickcountyfair.com
New River Trail Challenge
Sept. 17
New River Trail State Park, Va.
Long-distance adventure triathlon, 40-mile bike, 12.1-mile kayak, 1/2 marathon, in and along the New River Trail.
virginiastateparks.gov
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Go Cross Cyclocross, Presented by Deschutes Brewery
September 17-18
Roanoke, Va.
Professional and amateur cyclists race at Fallon Park, Virginia’s only permanent cyclocross course. The races will be live-streamed and also feature a Deschutes Beer Garden with food trucks, live music, and spectator events like a Beer Mile Relay, Doggie Cross, and Lil’ Belgians Kids Race.
gocrossrace.com
Virginia Regional Enduro and DH
September 17-18
Bryce Bike Park, Va.
Go Nuts Biking is hosting their first ever Virginia Regional Downhill and Enduro races at Bryce Bike Park September 17-18th. The Downhill race will be Saturday, Sept. 17th and the Enduro will be Sunday, Sept. 18th.
bryceresort.com/events-and-activities/events
2022 Valley View Hard Cider Challenge 5k, 10k, & Half Marathon
Sept. 18
Sky Meadows State Park, Va.
Come enjoy the challenging routes of Sky Meadows State Park and Valley View Farm, home of the Gnarled Orchard. These courses are knotty—a mix of cross country, trail, and hills! Runners may also redeem their drink ticket for sweet cider, juice, or soda. Walkers and leashed pets are welcome to attend this event. Now offering a virtual run option for those who cannot make it on race day.
bishopsevents.com
World Chicken Festival
September 22-25
Downtown London, Ky.
Top-notch free entertainment, thrilling amusement rides, outrageous contests, quality craft and food vendors, and the World’s Largest Skillet that cooks up mouth-watering fried chicken! Check this
off your bucket list and join us for a fun and fabulous festival!
chickenfestival.com
NOC Guest Appreciation Festival
September 23, 10:00 a.m. – September 25, 6:00 p.m. Bryson City, N.C.
It’s back! One of the Nantahala Outdoor Center’s most beloved events, Guest Appreciation, is back in time for NOCs 50th year of adventure. Full of great sales, adventure, paddling, live entertainment, vendor booths, and more, GAF is has been our most popular event for decades.
NOC.com
Dawson Pediatrics Peach Kids Triathlon
September 25
Alpharetta, Ga.
Alpharetta, Ga., will host the Dawson Pediatrics Peach Kids Triathlon on September 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wills Park. Delivering a high-quality youth triathlon experience for the entire family—focused on FITNESS, FUN, and SAFETY.
awesomealpharetta.com
Bamboocycles DIY Workshop
September 30-October 2
Roanoke Boutique Hotel, Va.
First Bamboocycles workshop in the United States. Participants build their own bamboo bike frames. A unique experience for eco-friendly bike enthusiasts who love a custom build. Owner Diego Cardenas has been featured on Shark Tank and lauded by Popular Mechanics, as a pioneer in sustainable design.
bamboocycles.com/DIY
OCTOBER
High Bridge Half Marathon & 5K
Oct. 1
High Bridge Trail State Park, Va.
The race will be held on an out-and-back course beginning in Downtown Farmville at the High Bridge Trail State Park Plaza. The park is a rail to trail conversion that is wide, level, and has very little grade. The trail surface consists of finely crushed, well-packed limestone. High Bridge is nearly a half mile long and towers 125 feet above the Appomattox River.
runsignup.com/Race/VA/Farmville/HighBridgeHalfMarathon5k
James River Ultra Runs
Oct. 1
James River State Park, Va.
The first Ultra to be held at James River State Park. Choose from a variety of distances including: 10 miler, 50k, 50-mile relay, and 50-mile solo.
virginiastateparks.gov
Bayport Foundation Crawlin’ Crab Half Marathon Presented by Bon Secours
October 1-2
Hampton, Va.
Come run with J&A Racing at the Bayport Foundation Crawlin’ Crab Half Marathon Presented by Bon Secours! Don’t be shellfish—crab your friends and scurry to Hampton for a fun-filled race weekend complete with a snappy fast course and a clawsome post-race shellebration!
Crawlincrabhalf.com
Anthem GO Outside Festival
October 14-16
Roanoke, Va.
A three-day outdoor sports and music festival in the heart of Roanoke. Festival-goers try new sports and demo outdoor gear, watch outdoor films and pro athletes perform, race for gear and glory, and connect with the brands and organizations who are all about getting outside!
Roanokegofest.com
Baltimore Running Festival
October 15
Baltimore, Md.
Charm City’s Annual Running Festival offers races that never disappoint! From the furry cheerleaders at Maryland’s Zoo to the beautiful finish at the Baltimore Inner Harbor, runners are sure to have quite the unique and memorable experience. They’ll tour every corner of the city while tackling some challenging (yet respectable!) hills that only make the post-race festivities in the famed Inner Harbor all the more amazing and certainly well-earned! Plus you walk away with an Under Armour race shirt and a Crack the Crab medal to prove it.
thebaltimoremarathon.com
Conquer the Mountain
October 15-16
Bryce Four Season Resort, Va.
Two-day race series in and around Bryce Resort in the Shenandoah Valley, featuring a four and eight-hour nighttime Adventure Race, 50k Ultra Marathon and Half Marathon, 42 & 31 Mile Mountain Bike Race/Ride, and 31 & 62 Mile Gravel Grinder Race/Ride!
rev3endurance.com
NOVEMBER
Everything Outdoor Fest
November 4-6
Simpsonville, S.C.
Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels are invited to be part of the first Everything Outdoor Fest held at Historic Hopkins Farm in Simpsonville, S.C. The three-day festival will showcase and celebrate the Southeast’s most popular outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and much more.
everythingoutdoorfest.com
AEE International Experiential Education Conference
November 10-13
YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, N.C. or Online
The Association for Experiential Education’s 50th Conference offers 90+ workshops, three powerful keynotes, a research symposium, fun social events, and more. With hundreds of practitioners, teachers, therapists, facilitators, and students in attendance, you’ll learn from leaders and innovators and discover what’s possible in Experiential Education.
aee.org/2022-international-conference
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Run/Walk
November 13
Maryland
Don’t miss your only chance to run or walk across the majestic Chesapeake Bay Bridge which is typically closed to pedestrians. You can expect a fun, well-managed event open to runners and walkers alike. The 10k course will traverse the eastbound span of the bridge from Anne Arundel County to Kent Island in Queen Anne’s county with parking and shuttles to the start available from both sides.
thebaybridgerun.com
Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon Presented by Bon Secours
November 18-20
Norfolk, Va.
You were mermaid for the Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon Presented by Bon Secours! Come seas the day by running this beautiful course through Downtown Norfolk, and then dance your tails off at the fintastic Post Race Celebration in Town Point Park!
norfolkharborhalf.com
Oxbow Ultra
November 26
St. Paul, Va.
The course consists of a five-mile loop circling the scenic Oxbow Lake, then a stretch of singletrack before emerging onto a large open field on top of Sugar Hill. Participants will pass by the remnants of a French Settlement before descending onto the trail next to the Clinch River, one of the most biodiverse rivers in the United States. The trail then merges back onto a dirt road leading to the start/finish area.
Stpaulva.org
RECURRING
The Old Fort Gateway Trail System, Old Fort, N.C.
The Old Fort Gateway Trail System’s Phase I is open! Explore six miles of mixed-use trail inside Pisgah National Forest. Hike, bike, or enjoy a shady backcountry equestrian trail. Call us for information or find trail details online.
blueridgetraveler.com/attractions/old-fort-gateway-trail-system
