Mt Rogers, Virginia Grayson Highlands State Park Fall Festival
September 21 through 25.
Some only stay part of this time, (Friday through Sunday?) but we have the group site Thursday through Monday for those that want to hang out longer.
Free of cost to our campers.
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About The Grayson Highlands Fall Festival
The 2023 Festival will be held the Saturday September 23 and Sunday September 24 from 10am until 5pm both days
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. 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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Also, live music, lots of craft booths and food.
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We began participating in the festival by manning a hammock demonstration area on Saturdays, 12 years ago, in Sept of 2011
Although we did miss one year due to not getting the group site reserved in time.
A HF Sign.JPGA demo.jpgA H Demo.jpg
For those taking part in the Hammock Demonstration on Sat, I recommend taking a tarp to keep your hammock dry if it rains.
In return for our participating in the festival, Grayson Highlands State Park has allowed us to camp for free in the group campground.
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All proceeds from the Fall Festival go to the Rugby Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, Inc. for emergency equipment and training.
The Festival is Rugby Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department's main fund raiser of the year.
Clogging!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11gf-XIzBU&t=38s
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We all ways have a raffle on Saturday eve.
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The money from the raffle has mostly been donated to Friends of Grayson Highlands State Park, after paying for the firewood.
There were three times when we made an exception and made the donation to Rugby Fire and Rescue (twice) and to The Wilbern Ridge Pony Association.
Some in our group buy lots of raffle tickets partly to add to the amount the raffle raises for the cause.
Some from our group just make donations.
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Please register on the Google 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.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...R6c/edit#gid=0
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If there is someone at the Park Entrance gate, you will just need to tell them that you are with the hammock group in the group site.
There is no cost for your stay, but they will give you a tag to hang from your mirror, to show that your parked vehicle is with our group.
In the past our group has caused parking issues for others in the campground.
We encourage whenever possible to carpool.
Parking available at edge of group camp site, by the Camp Store and across the road..
Overflow parking requires driving to the park visitor center and shuttle back to the camp area.
The Backpacker Parking lot is no longer an option, unless you make reservations for backpacking.
Same for the parking spaces along the main road, going through Massi Gap.
Don't forget to bring your camp chairs!
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What goes on when.
Thurs, Sept 21...
a few will arrive early to set up the Big Blue Tarp, SOB (Son Of blue, 20' x 30') and put some picnic tables under it.
Some may go out for day hikes or overnight backpacking over the weekend.
Others just enjoy casual times around camp with friends.
Friday,
more will show up. We do our own meals unless otherwise noted.
Often times someone will bring something to share with others but that is not a sure thing so be prepared to feed yourself.
Saturday... See Spread Sheet for Group Meal planning.
Saturday Group Breakfast
The Appalachian Trail runs through the park if you want to plan a backpacking trip or day hike but hopefully some will hang around to help clean up after breakfast first ;~)
Lots of other trails too.
The Fall Festival is always fun and there will be a will ponies auction at 2:00!
Hickery keeps saying he's going to ride one of those ponies.
One day it will happen!
Festival is from 10am until 5pm, Sat & Sun.
We only do the Hammock demo on Sat.
Saturday Group Supper and Raffle, probably starting around 5pm.
Lots of fun during the raffle!
Sunday
A few leave early but most stick around to eat breakfast, talk and clean up around the group camp and leave in the afternoon.
Some may go to a nearby restaurant to eat breakfast/brunch/lunch.
From there some will head home while others will stay Sunday night and leave Monday.
The Corner Market and Restaurant, south of the park, isn't open for breakfast anymore, but there is another nice restaurant, about the same distance (8 miles) going in the direction of Damascus.
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Note: We always leave the group campsite cleaner than we find it.
Those that stay until the end always do a final policing of the area to collect anything missed.
Please help us by picking up during the camp time and as you leave.
Thank you!
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Q&A
Campground Quiet Time: 10 PM to 7 AM.
We have been said to be a group that is appreciated for our respect for the campground and other campers. I hope to remain so.
Is there a place to buy stuff?
Yes. There is a Camp Store right by the group site.
They have Ice Cream!
Can I bring my dog?
Yes! I love dogs but dogs should be kept on leash at all times.
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Is there water for camping?
There are two fresh water spigots at the edge of the group site for drinking, etc.
Are there picnic tables in the camping area?
Yes. 8 tables. We have often lined them in two rows under the 20' x 30' tarp, especially if much rain is suspected.
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 the group camp in the main camp ground.
Will there be campfires?
That's always the plan.
One year it was so dry that they issued a "Fire Ban" but we still had a great time!
We plan to have a fire in the large fire pit in the center of camp. We will be having local firewood delivered to avoid bringing wood from areas that might be infested with the Emerald Ash Borer.
Are there grills?
Yes. I believe there are permanent charcoal grills in the group site. 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. If it looks like much rain, we will assemble at least part of the picnic tables for food prep, eating & socializing.
But always bring your rain gear/ umbrella.
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Don't forget to bring your camp chairs!
Wild ponies!
Did we mention there are wild ponies in this park and a lot of them will be rounded up for the pony auction on Saturday, so you can see them up close?!
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Hammock Forum Contacts for Hang: Private message Slowhike or Hickery.
General State Park Information
Address: 829 Grayson Highland Ln., Mouth of Wilson, VA, 24363
GPS: Latitude: 36.628322 Longitude: -81.496889
Park Phone: 276-579-7092
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-p...yson-highlands
Emergency: Dial 911
We are glad to have “ground dwellers” but you might get converted!!!
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Originally Posted by Crawldaddy
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