Roanoke’s GO Outside Festival has been offering an engaging weekend for all ages since it’s start more than a decade ago. Each year brings new and exciting opportunities for festival-goers to enjoy, and 2023 is no exception! From highline stunt shows and BMX bikers to the Banff Mountain Film Festival and the Silent Disco, GO Fest is an experience the whole family will enjoy.
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This article is sponsored by Anthem Go Outside Festival.
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Here’s our day-by-day Parents’ Guide to the 2023 Anthem GO Outside Festival:
DAY 1 – Friday, October 13
It’s Friday! Finish work, pick up your kids from school or daycare and head to Elmwood Park to start your weekend off right. Pay a visit to the bouldering wall or climbing tower, presented by the Peaks Retreat and Adventure Center. Both of these hands-on activities are great for a wide range of ages and will kick-start your GO Fest experience with a bit of adventure.
Next, grab dinner while you explore the wide variety of GO Fest vendors, and maybe score some new outdoor gear or official GO Fest merch! Then, pick up a bag of kettle corn and finish off the night cuddled up with the whole family for a screening of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, presented by Mast General Store. This outdoor film festival is one of the biggest in the world, offering epic films that are sure to inspire, especially with the addition of a highline slackline performance high above the Elmwood Amphitheater (presented by Freedom First)!
DAY 2 – Saturday, October 14
Saturday is a great day to discover something new. If you need to work out some energy, start with the YMCA Ninja Course! Or, if you’re looking for a calmer pace, stop by the Little Plants Kids Zone for a nature-inspired play area specifically designed for little ones. We also recommend visiting the Dick’s Sporting Goods tent for a fun scavenger hunt, and you can’t miss out on a chance to get your feet wet at the Demo Pool, presented by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Spend the afternoon enjoying professional stunt shows like the Timberworks Lumberjacks, presented by Member One. These impressive individuals are sure to entertain with their axe-throwing, log-rolling, speed-climbing, joke-cracking show! ProTown BMX, presented by Gentry Locke, is another festival favorite. You can find them flying through the air beside the Patrick Henry building off Jefferson Street.
The Haley Toyota Main Stage is the place to be throughout the festival for all your live music needs, and you won’t want to miss Saturday evening’s headline performance by The Werks!
DAY 3 – Sunday, October 15
Spend your Sunday checking off everything left on your GO Fest to-do list! This is a great day to travel on two-wheels by joining the Greenway Bike Celebration & Parade with Roanoke Mountain Adventures! Meet in Vic Thomas Park, enjoy free coffee and donuts, try out the bike loop in the park, then bike together as a group to GO Fest! This is a great way to have some active fun and enjoy the morning as a family.
Once you arrive at Elmwood Park, the kids can try the Pop-Up Traffic Garden with Ride Solutions and PedalSafe ROA. This fun, educational opportunity helps kids learn and practice traffic safety, and is designed for 3-9 year-olds. When you’re done, use the bike valet to park your ride while you wander the rest of the festival!
This is just a sample schedule, of course. With so much to do, you can create your own perfect day at the Anthem GO Outside Festival, so get ready to have some fun and explore the outdoors with your kids!
Be sure to visit RoanokeGoFest.com/Schedule for the full weekend schedule!
