REI hosts two new festivals on the East Coast celebrating women and the outdoors through live music, speakers, recreation, and more.
Taking place in Washington D.C. and Shakori Hills, North Carolina, these special one-day events consist of star-studded musical lineups, activities, and classes focused on connecting women with the outdoors. While the events are focused on the awesomeness of women, all are invited to partake in the festivities. Today REI announced the official lineups for the two events.
Washington D.C.
The D.C. event will be held on Saturday, September 29, in Patuxent River Park at Jug Bay. Best Coast is headlining along with performances by Brazilian Girls, Seratones, Lucy Dacus, Oshun, Bat Fangs, Palehound, and Bibi McGill. Unique to this event, go paddling on the Jug Bay with REI’s DC Outdoor School. There is no camping available at this event.
Shakori Hills
Located at the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center in North Carolina, the event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 20. Headlining the show are Mavis Staples and Best Coast, with additional performances by Seratones, Bat Fangs, Mary Lambert, Bibi McGill, H.C. McEntire, and S.E. Ward. There will be limited camping available for attendees as well.
Both festivals open at 10 a.m. with each event hosting local vendors, food trucks, and alcohol sold at select tents.
Outdoor Activities and Classes
Attendees can participate in yoga sessions, rock climbing, paddling, a 5K run, and Firestarter Sessions. These sessions include classes on camp cooking, urban outdoor essentials, wilderness survival, iPhone Photography, and more. Paddling and rock climbing activities will be lead by female instructors from the REI Outdoor School in addition to classes led by brand partners.
Partners include Black Diamond, Garmin, Hydro Flask, Leatherman, Lorissa’s Kitchen, Maui Jim, Merrell, OluKai, Osprey, RXBAR, Salomon, Sea to Summit, Smartwool, and Subaru of America.
Along with their set schedule of activities and classes, there will be surprise events to discover throughout the day. After finishing your 5k or rock climbing session, they will have a hammock zone for relaxing.
Attendees will have to fill out a waiver before participating in any outdoor activities.
About REI’s Force of Nature
Announced in 2017, Force of Nature is a program focused on creating more access to the outdoors for women. Through hosting 1,000s of classes and experiences nationwide, they are looking to make the outdoors a level playing field.
According to a study by REI, “More than 85% of all women surveyed believe the outdoors positively affects mental health, physical health, happiness and overall well-being, and 70% reported that being outdoors is liberating.”
For tickets and more information, check out the Outessafest website. Children 12 and under will be admitted free of charge.
