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  1. #1
    Rockdawg69's Avatar
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    VA, 8th (almost annual) Grayson Fall Festival Hang - official planning thread - Sep 27- 29

    8th (almost annual) Grayson Highlands Fall Festival
    Hang


    Mt Rogers, Virginia
    Grayson Highlands State Park
    September 27-29, 2019


    HAMMOCKERS! come join the fun again! Family-friendly event!
    Free camping and free parking at group campsite (limited space)
    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.
    We do allow “ground dwellers” but you might get converted!!!

    SIGN IN HERE
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...R6c/edit#gid=0

    SEE PICTURES BELOW!!

    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 Grayson Highlands/Mt Rogers area.

    Since 1976 the Ruby 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 state park allows us to camp for free in the group campground.

    Step back into a simpler age when horses and mules ground cane into juice to be boiled into sorghum molasses; when apple cider was the soft drink of the time; when fresh apples were cooked into apple butter in a copper kettle over an open fire all day long; when Saturday night was reserves for fiddling, and making music with the neighbors. Such was the life style of the early Appalachian pioneers.

    *****************************************
    Free Registration: See Google spreadsheet above.
    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.

    Arrival date: As early as 26 Sept if you are hiking the highlands; 27 Sept for the group hang site.
    Departure date: 30 Sept for those staying Sunday night.

    IMPORTANT: If there is someone at the Park Entrance gate, you will need to check in.

    Most guest pay a fee but simply tell them you are with the Hammock group in the group site.
    They will be aware of our group and you can enter at no cost. The group site is provided free because we contribute to the Festival in the Hammock Camping Demo.
    If anyone travels before Thursday or stays later than Monday, you will have to pay the parking fee for those days and park at the backpacker parking lot.

    Don't forget to bring your camp chairs!

    ************************************************** ****
    Schedule for Hammockers! What goes on when.

    Thurs... a few will arrive early to set up. Some may go out for day hikes or overnight backpacking over the weekend.
    Fri... many more will show up. We do our own meals unless otherwise noted in.
    Often times someone will bring something to share with others but there is no guarantee.
    Big Saturday... Group Breakfast
    Festival starts at 10am. A few will go early to set up for the Hammock Demonstration, some will hang around to help clean up after breakfast.
    Some may day hike.

    During the Festival, it's good if at least 3 or 5 hang around the Hammock Demo to answer questions about hammocks from those that stop in and relieve those that spend most of the day at the Hammock Demo.

    Pony Auction at 2pm

    The festival ends at 5pm but some will go back to the group camp to start preparing for the Group Supper.
    Following the group supper will be the Raffle. Lots of fun during the raffle!
    Proceeds will go to Friends Of GHSP and firewood. (unless otherwise noted)

    Sunday A few leave early but most stick around to eat breakfast, talk and clean up around the group camp. Or stay and go to the festival again. Usually, some will go to the Corner Market & Cafe (about a 15 minute ride from camp) to eat breakfast/brunch/lunch. From there some will head home while others will go back to camp and the Festival for a while.

    Some will stay Sunday night and leave Monday.

    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!


    Hammock Forum Contacts for Hang: Private message Slowhike, Hickery, or Rockdawg69.

    General State Park Information

    Grayson Highlands Fall Festival Website: Here - http://ghfallfestival.50megs.com/

    Park Weather Link: Here - http://graysonfriends.org/pages/ww.html

    Park Link: Here - http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-pa...al_information

    Driving Directions: Use Grayson Highlands State Park, VA

    Google Map: Here - https://www.google.com/maps/place/Gr...!4d-81.4844845

    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. Overflow parking requires driving to the park visitor center and shuttle back to the camp area.
    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 restaurant for a group brunch. Some folks seem to always stay Sunday night and do some hiking or just hang around for some additional socializing. For example, 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.
    What are the rules on alcohol?
    State Park rules say no alcohol in the park.

    A previous Trip Report: Here - https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...-gt-Sept-25-28

    Don't forget to bring your camp chairs!

    Wild ponies! Did we mention there are wild ponies in this park?!


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    Last edited by Rockdawg69; 08-01-2019 at 18:05. Reason: update
    Rockdawg69

    It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll ----- those hills!!!

    Professional Prevaricator: Part-time dealer in Yarns, Tales, Half-Truths, & Outright Lies -1st half-hour session at no cost (Lawyers and Doctors excepted).

  2. #2
    Rockdawg69's Avatar
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    Okay folks, here is the planning thread for Grayson Fall Festival, 2019. If you find something that does not work on the enclosed links, please PM me so it can be fixed. Have at it!!!!!!!!
    Rockdawg69

    It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll ----- those hills!!!

    Professional Prevaricator: Part-time dealer in Yarns, Tales, Half-Truths, & Outright Lies -1st half-hour session at no cost (Lawyers and Doctors excepted).

  3. #3
    slowhike's Avatar
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    Thanks Rockdawg!
    Let's get this show on the road!
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  4. #4
    gunner76's Avatar
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    It never rains at this hang...pours, floods maybe but never rains
    I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !

  5. #5
    Senior Member L.D. Cakes's Avatar
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    Yeah, Wear mud boots and bring a BIG tarp!
    Hootenanny Hang June 11-13, 2021
    Love many, trust few & always paddle your own canoe. American Proverb

    Adventure is Calling... nolilearn.org



  6. #6
    slowhike's Avatar
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    We have had some Festival weekends were there was vey little rain, Mabey no rain one time.
    But there's usually some rain. A real gully washer a time or two.

    But Hickery is bringing Son Of Blue, the 20 x 30 group tarp!
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  7. #7
    Senior Member Silverpalm2x's Avatar
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    i have tentatively added to the family calendar. we might be able to make it.
    "Lets drive up to the Hills and get lost somewhere..." Chinatown by Folk Soul Revival
    Life is a Thru Hike... Hike Well. ΙΧΘΥΣ

  8. #8
    Tacoma96's Avatar
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    On my calendar but doubtful at this time due to in laws visiting.
    Straight out of Clayton.

    Most physical hike: Grandfather Mountain, NC. Aug 13.

    I don't need to make my pack lighter. I need to make my (_*_) lighter.

  9. #9
    Rockdawg69's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tacoma96 View Post
    On my calendar but doubtful at this time due to in laws visiting.
    I think we discussed this at John Rock - drag 'em along. We got tents and cots!!!!!!!
    Rockdawg69

    It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll ----- those hills!!!

    Professional Prevaricator: Part-time dealer in Yarns, Tales, Half-Truths, & Outright Lies -1st half-hour session at no cost (Lawyers and Doctors excepted).

  10. #10
    Rockdawg69's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Silverpalm2x View Post
    i have tentatively added to the family calendar. we might be able to make it.
    Hope to see y'all there. Been a while.
    Rockdawg69

    It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll ----- those hills!!!

    Professional Prevaricator: Part-time dealer in Yarns, Tales, Half-Truths, & Outright Lies -1st half-hour session at no cost (Lawyers and Doctors excepted).

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