4th Annual Grayson Highlands Fall Festival
Mt. Rogers, Virginia
Grayson Highlands State Park
September 26-28, 2014
* Hammockers! Come join the fun again! Family-friendly event!
* Free camping and free parking at group campsite!
* Bonus for Hikers!! The Appalachian Trail runs through the park if you want to plan a backpacking trip or day hike before or after the festival.
How sweet was last year! Photos courtesy of SquirrelGirl. Thank you!
The Annual Grayson Highlands Harvest Fall Festival is mountain music, crafts, old time living history activities, and LAST but not LEAST, the annual pony sale from the Grayson Highlands/ Mt. Rogers area.
Since 1976 the Rugby Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, Inc. and Grayson Highlands State Park have entertained tens of thousands of people each year with their live exhibits of Appalachian culture. We participate in the festival by manning a hammock demonstration area and in return the festival allows us to camp for free in the group campground.
Step back into a simple age when horses and mules ground cane into juice to be boiled into sorghum or molasses; when apple cider was the soft drink of the time; when fresh apples were cooked in a copper kettle over an open fire all day long to render apple butter; when Saturday night was reserved for fiddling; and making music with the neighbors. Such was the lifestyle of the early Appalachian pioneers.
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Free Registration: Google spreadsheet here. Please register on the spreadsheet. It helps greatly with planning. The sheet is setup so you can change your answers at any time if your plans change or if you need to add or delete information.
IMPORTANT: Campers need to stop at the Park Entrance and tell the gate they are with the Hammock Forums group -- this way you can enter at no cost. If anyone arrives before Thursday or stays later than Monday, you will have to pay the parking fee for those days and park in the backpacker parking lot.
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Schedule for Hammockers! What goes on when.
• The Hammock Demo will take place on Saturday only, from 10 am until 5 pm.
• We have a group breakfast Saturday morning before time for the set-up crew to drive over to the festival area (about a 5 minute drive). Some stay and clean up from breakfast.
• Go to the Google spreadsheet to see what is needed for breakfast and supper on Saturday.
• We usually have about 5-7 hammocks set up in our Hammock Demo area which is in a shaded wooded area with a short path between the music pavilion & the food area.
• Not everyone joining the group hang needs to be there. We usually like to have at least 5-7 (or more) hanging around to answer questions about hammock camping as people stop by. The same people don't need to stay at the Hammock Demo the whole time. We switch out while others do whatever they like (see other parts of the festival, the pony auction at 2pm, go for a day hike,etc).
• As 5 pm approaches, some will go back to camp to start preparing for the evening group meal which will be followed by the raffle.
Hammock Forum Contacts for Hang: Private message Slowhike or Rockdawg69
General State Park Information
Grayson Highlands Fall Festival Website: Here
Park Weather Link: Here
Park Link: Here
Driving Directions: Use Grayson Highlands State Park, VA
Google Map: Here
Address: 829 Grayson Highland Ln., Mouth of Wilson, VA, 24363
GPS: Latitude: 36.628322 Longitude: -81.496889
Park Phone: 276-579-7092
Email: [email protected]
Emergency: Dial 911
FAQ’s
Where are we hammock camping?
Group Hang Site: Anyone who wants to hang for free should go to the group campsite located near the Country Story, the Amphitheater and the Hickory Ridge Campground.
Free Parking
Available at edge of group camp site.
Group Camping Check-In: Can be as early as Thurs morning.
Group Camping Check-Out: Most leave by late morning or noon on Sunday and those that want to will drive to the Log Cabin restaurant for a group brunch.
Last year a few of us drove back to the group site & stayed Sunday night as well. They will probably let some stay an extra night if we ask.
Campground Quiet Time: 10 PM to 7 AM.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Dogs should be kept on leash at all times.
Is there water for camping?
There are two fresh water spigots at the edge of the group site.
Are there picnic tables in the camping area?
Yes.
What about bathrooms? I don’t poop good in the woods.
Group camping has flush toilets for both men and women.
Where can I get a showers?
There is a shower house a short walk or drive from our camp.
Will there be campfires? It ain’t camping without a fire.
We will have a large fire area in the center of camp. We will look into having local firewood delivered.
Are there grills?
There are at least two permanent charcoal grills. You will need to bring charcoal if you want to use it.
What happens if it rains?
We will have a 20' x 30' tarp strung high, under which we will assemble 6 picnic tables for food prep, eating & socializing. There is a large pavilion at the edge of group camp but we don't spend much time there during this event. They have a few park events at the pavilion during the weekend.
How can I find out about pre and post hikes?
We don’t keep track of them but feel free to start a separate hiking thread on HF.
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What are the rules on alcohol?
State Park rules say no alcohol in the park.
Last Year’s 2013 Trip Report: Here
Don't forget to bring your camp chairs!
Wild ponies! Did we mention there are wild ponies in this park?!
Ya see what you get for reading all the way to the bottom . . . pony pictures!
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