Tents aren't the only way to camp. Just ask friend-of-the-fest Don Gravatt of Jacks R Better, purveyor of camping hammocks, hammock quilts and other  backpacking gear. Hammocks have the advantage of being light-weight and easily packable, and they get you off the ground.

Key to comfort, Don says, is picking the right sleeping quilt. (And these quilts perform whether you're hammock or tent camping.)

"Quilts offer a unique way to stay cozy while sleeping outdoors," Don explains. "They are lighter and more compact than sleeping bags, making them easier to carry on long hikes and backpacking trips. They also allow for more customization, as users can adjust the amount of insulation based on their personal preferences and the weather conditions."

Don practices what he preaches. An experienced backpacker, his recent hammock camping trips have included section hiking the A.T. in Pennsylvania, camping in Ohio to view the eclipse and attending HangCon in Florida.
 
Jacks R Better will showcase some new products at the festival, including:

• 1000-Fill Power Ultralight Backpacking Quilts designed for thru-hikers.  
• Alpha Direct Summer Blanket/Quilt Liner. Stand-alone warmth down to 50° weighing only 7 ounces! 

And you can support the festival by bidding on a Jacks R Better Shenandoah Summer Quilt in our auction.

Here's a guest blog from Rick Oxner, friend of the fest and owner of Warm Peet—both a sponsor and a vendor at this year's event:

Warm Peet will be back for its fourth year at the Loudoun A.T. Festival. After all, this festival is where we launched our company in 2021, and it feels like home to us! Some things have stayed the same: we still make great socks and we still donate 100% of our profits to mental health organizations and nature conservation.

In other ways, 2023 was a year of transition for us with personnel changes, departure from social media and a move to the Boston, MA, area. Moving forward in new directions is always exciting. We have a robust festival schedule this year, kicking off on May 18th in Boston at the NAMIWalks event where all profits will go to NAMI Massachusetts to support their work promoting mental health awareness. Find our complete festival calendar here: www.warmpeet.com/events.

New sock designs and weights are in the works, and we anticipate launching new product lines by the end of the year—but, in the meantime, we have the same great OGs and no-shows available. We are also working on a retail presence in the northeast; details to come!
 
Besides the Loudoun A.T. Festival, one of our local recipients of Warm Peet donations has been Rock Recovery located in Arlington, VA. This year, Rock Recovery will be supporting Warm Peet at the A.T. Festival and manning our vendor tent. I can’t say enough about the work they do and how much I appreciate their support. 
 
Rock Recovery bridges mental health treatment gaps by providing access to services including therapist-led groups, mentorship and community-based empowerment programs—regardless of financial position. The nonprofit specializes in treating eating disorders, one of the most destructive and deadliest of mental health conditions about which there is still much stigma and misunderstanding. Many people are surprised to learn that one in 10 individuals will struggle with an eating disorder in their lifetime, and that those suffering range from very young to very old and include all genders and ethnic groups. 

All Warm Peet profits from the A.T. festival will support Rock Recovery—and, through the end of 2024, you can use the code “recovery20” for online orders, and all profits tied to that code will go to them as well.

Yellow House Natives joins the festival again this year, selling native plants that please our pollinators and take care of our critters. We asked Owner Wendy Dorsey to tell us a little about what got her into the native plant business.

What inspired Yellow House Natives?
I was dividing flowers at our house one day when my husband came over to where I was digging. I remember I looked up at him and said, "I should be growing native perennials."  It had just popped into my head. I had always loved growing things and had lately read a lot of articles about the importance of native plants. My husband said, "You should." Then I thought, "Oh, shoot." (Except it wasn't "shoot.")  I recognized this as a moment when I could rise and take the challenge, or treat it like it was just a passing whim. It was scary to think about as I knew it was going to mean a lot of work.  

How does this business fit with your family's history of conservation?
My husband and I care deeply about nature and preserving open and undeveloped spaces. He is a third generation family farmer in Clarke County, and we have put our two farms into conservation easement. We taught our children to be comfortable and respectful in natural places by going into the woods and around wetlands to look for wildlife. Our son graduated college this past spring and decided to come home and help work the farm. Working with farm services and NRCS, we have established field borders of native flowers and warm season grasses for quail and other wildlife and allow cover growth along the creek and on rock breaks. Most recently, our son improved a wetland area to create a better habitat for waterfowl.  

​How long has Yellow House been in business?
I officially opened in 2021, but I refer to this as my soft opening. I didn't advertise much, and I didn't participate in any garden fairs or plant sales off the farm.  My learning curve was steep and I wanted to be a bit more confident. In 2022, I did more marketing and started participating in events. Last year, I added even more events to my schedule—including the A.T. Festival. 2024 will be my third full year in business, and my schedule is busy.  But don't let that stop you from coming to visit my nursery, as I love being able to show people my entire selection.

Do you have any specialties?
Not really, other than the fact that I love to learn about native plants and the ecosystem and continue to do so every day.  I'm happy to share what I know.

Any advice for people getting started with natives?
Yes!  Go for it!  Don't get overwhelmed thinking you have to begin with a huge project. Begin by adding one native plant. Every effort, no matter how small, makes a difference. 

What can people expect to find at your A.T. Festival sale?
I will be bringing native perennials, ferns and grasses.  This year I've expanded my tree and shrub offerings, so I'll have some of those as well.