Here's what we lined up for the 2024 fest:
Friday, June 7
5:30–7 p.m. Old Stone School West Room
Art of the Trail: An A.T.-Inspired Invitational Art Show. The Appalachian Trail serves as muse for these five talented artists--Monica Aguilar, Janet Hensley, Melinda Irby, Morris Jensen and Mike Wurman--who paint, sketch and photograph Trail inspirations. Meet the artists at our show opening. Refreshments will be served.
5:30–8 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
Eat Drink & Be Literary! In conjunction with the Loudoun Appalachian Trail Festival, the Town of Hillsboro and the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation present: Eat, Drink & Be Literary, an evening with artist/author Mike Wurman. Held at the Old Stone School, the evening kicks off with light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by a presentation by Wurman at 7:00 p.m. This is a ticketed event.
Art of the Trail: An A.T.-Inspired Invitational Art Show. The Appalachian Trail serves as muse for these five talented artists--Monica Aguilar, Janet Hensley, Melinda Irby, Morris Jensen and Mike Wurman--who paint, sketch and photograph Trail inspirations. Meet the artists at our show opening. Refreshments will be served.
5:30–8 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
Eat Drink & Be Literary! In conjunction with the Loudoun Appalachian Trail Festival, the Town of Hillsboro and the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation present: Eat, Drink & Be Literary, an evening with artist/author Mike Wurman. Held at the Old Stone School, the evening kicks off with light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by a presentation by Wurman at 7:00 p.m. This is a ticketed event.
SaturDAY, JUNE 8
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Festival grounds
Spend the day with us. Enjoy bites and brews, tunes and trail talks. Learn more about local hiking and environmental groups—and win a prize in our scavenger hunt. Shop for camping gear, pottery, hiking socks, native plants and more. A used gear sale supports the festival.
11-11:30 a.m. The Gap Stage
Festival opening. Representatives from Loudoun's A.T. Communities—the towns of Hillsboro and Round Hill and the Village of Bluemont—are joined by local dignitaries to say a few words about why we're all here. Welcome!
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Old Stone School West Room
Art of the Trail: An A.T.-Inspired Invitational Art Show. The Appalachian Trail and its forests, hikers and vistas inspire the five amazing artists invited to share their work—paintings, prints, sketches and photographs. Meet and talk with the artists throughout the day. Most of the art on display will be offered for sale.
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Silent auction/merchandise tent
Online auction and merchandise sales. Support the festival by buying a T-shirt. Bid on merchandise and experiences generously donated to the festival, and you might go home with an A.T. painting, hiking gear, amusement park passes, native plants, movie tickets, wine tastings or a "Beat the Bomb" adventure—and much more! (Bidding for the silent auction closes at 3 p.m.)
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Old Stone School grounds
Children's activities. Kids of all ages can try their hand at nature crafts and make it to the top of the climbing wall. Ride a pony and take a ride down a giant slide.
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The Gap Stage
Short Hill Mountain Boys. What began as a two-person fiddle and guitar duo evolved into the four-person Short Hill Mountain Boys, a Loudoun favorite. The Short Hill Mountain Boys play a lively blend of bluegrass, old-time, cajun, classic country and folk music.
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
Going the Distance: Tales from the Trail. A.T. section- and thru-hikers share their stories in this panel discussion.
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
"Modern Legends of the Trail," Gary Johnson. While much has been written about the early pioneers of America's longest trails, very little has been written about modern-day legends like Bill Irvin (a blind hiker), the Barefoot Sisters (who walked the whole A.T. twice barefoot) or speed merchants like Jennifer Pharr Davis, Joe McConaughy or Heather Anderson (who walked in record setting times). This talk will introduce you to these amazing people—and maybe a few more.
1:30-2:45 p.m. The Gap Stage
Justin Trawick & the Common Good. Justin Trawick has been performing in the DC area and along the East Coast for 17 years. Last January, Trawick released the single “These Days”, the first of a series of singles released every six weeks throughout 2023 leading up to a full album coming soon.
2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
"The Appalachian Trail: An Origin Story," Jeff Ryan. Author, historian and renowned storyteller Jeffrey Ryan shares his insights into how the Appalachian Trail was devised and built. Ryan will share how the Trail began as a bold proposal shared in a journal article in 1921 to become the most famous footpath in the world. This fast-paced talk is guaranteed to provide new insights to newcomers and veteran hikers alike.
3 p.m. Silent auction/merchandise tent
Silent auction closes. Winning bids will be posted, and items available for pickup until the close of the festival.
3:30-4:45 p.m. The Gap Stage
Frank Solivan & Jillian Lea. This dynamic duo is a pairing of bluegrass superstar and multi-Grammy nominee Frank Solivan and Celtic-folk artist Jillian Lea. The raw simplicity and intimate harmonies of their music is a melding of bluegrass, Celtic, classic Country, jazz, and folk.
5–8 p.m. Old Stone School grounds
After party. Stay after our official festival hours for more music, food and drinks and community camaraderie. Featuring Shannon Bielski and Moonlight Drive on The Gap Stage.
Spend the day with us. Enjoy bites and brews, tunes and trail talks. Learn more about local hiking and environmental groups—and win a prize in our scavenger hunt. Shop for camping gear, pottery, hiking socks, native plants and more. A used gear sale supports the festival.
11-11:30 a.m. The Gap Stage
Festival opening. Representatives from Loudoun's A.T. Communities—the towns of Hillsboro and Round Hill and the Village of Bluemont—are joined by local dignitaries to say a few words about why we're all here. Welcome!
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Old Stone School West Room
Art of the Trail: An A.T.-Inspired Invitational Art Show. The Appalachian Trail and its forests, hikers and vistas inspire the five amazing artists invited to share their work—paintings, prints, sketches and photographs. Meet and talk with the artists throughout the day. Most of the art on display will be offered for sale.
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Silent auction/merchandise tent
Online auction and merchandise sales. Support the festival by buying a T-shirt. Bid on merchandise and experiences generously donated to the festival, and you might go home with an A.T. painting, hiking gear, amusement park passes, native plants, movie tickets, wine tastings or a "Beat the Bomb" adventure—and much more! (Bidding for the silent auction closes at 3 p.m.)
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Old Stone School grounds
Children's activities. Kids of all ages can try their hand at nature crafts and make it to the top of the climbing wall. Ride a pony and take a ride down a giant slide.
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The Gap Stage
Short Hill Mountain Boys. What began as a two-person fiddle and guitar duo evolved into the four-person Short Hill Mountain Boys, a Loudoun favorite. The Short Hill Mountain Boys play a lively blend of bluegrass, old-time, cajun, classic country and folk music.
12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
Going the Distance: Tales from the Trail. A.T. section- and thru-hikers share their stories in this panel discussion.
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
"Modern Legends of the Trail," Gary Johnson. While much has been written about the early pioneers of America's longest trails, very little has been written about modern-day legends like Bill Irvin (a blind hiker), the Barefoot Sisters (who walked the whole A.T. twice barefoot) or speed merchants like Jennifer Pharr Davis, Joe McConaughy or Heather Anderson (who walked in record setting times). This talk will introduce you to these amazing people—and maybe a few more.
1:30-2:45 p.m. The Gap Stage
Justin Trawick & the Common Good. Justin Trawick has been performing in the DC area and along the East Coast for 17 years. Last January, Trawick released the single “These Days”, the first of a series of singles released every six weeks throughout 2023 leading up to a full album coming soon.
2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
"The Appalachian Trail: An Origin Story," Jeff Ryan. Author, historian and renowned storyteller Jeffrey Ryan shares his insights into how the Appalachian Trail was devised and built. Ryan will share how the Trail began as a bold proposal shared in a journal article in 1921 to become the most famous footpath in the world. This fast-paced talk is guaranteed to provide new insights to newcomers and veteran hikers alike.
3 p.m. Silent auction/merchandise tent
Silent auction closes. Winning bids will be posted, and items available for pickup until the close of the festival.
3:30-4:45 p.m. The Gap Stage
Frank Solivan & Jillian Lea. This dynamic duo is a pairing of bluegrass superstar and multi-Grammy nominee Frank Solivan and Celtic-folk artist Jillian Lea. The raw simplicity and intimate harmonies of their music is a melding of bluegrass, Celtic, classic Country, jazz, and folk.
5–8 p.m. Old Stone School grounds
After party. Stay after our official festival hours for more music, food and drinks and community camaraderie. Featuring Shannon Bielski and Moonlight Drive on The Gap Stage.
This page features a print by Jill Jensen, one of the artists invited to show work at the festival's 2023 "Wild Beauty" art show.