Details below…
Friday, June 5
5:30–7 p.m. Old Stone School West Room
A Breath of Fresh Air: Art Show Opening Reception. The great outdoors serves as muse for these four talented, Loudoun County artists—Jess Sauder, Sarah Lough, Megan Caldwell and Kathleen Howsare—who paint, sketch, print and photograph their love of nature. Meet the artists at our show opening in the West Room. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
6–8:30 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
Eat Drink & Be Literary, a conversation with hiker/author Heather Anderson, author of Further: 8 Months on America's Triple Crown Trails, In 2018, Anderson became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails within one calendar year, and in 2019 she was named National Geographic's Adventurer of the Year. Held in the Old Stone School auditorium, the evening kicks off with light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by Anderson's presentation at 7 p.m. This is a ticketed event, presented by the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation. Purchase tickets here.
A Breath of Fresh Air: Art Show Opening Reception. The great outdoors serves as muse for these four talented, Loudoun County artists—Jess Sauder, Sarah Lough, Megan Caldwell and Kathleen Howsare—who paint, sketch, print and photograph their love of nature. Meet the artists at our show opening in the West Room. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
6–8:30 p.m. Old Stone School auditorium
Eat Drink & Be Literary, a conversation with hiker/author Heather Anderson, author of Further: 8 Months on America's Triple Crown Trails, In 2018, Anderson became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide National Scenic Trails within one calendar year, and in 2019 she was named National Geographic's Adventurer of the Year. Held in the Old Stone School auditorium, the evening kicks off with light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by Anderson's presentation at 7 p.m. This is a ticketed event, presented by the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation. Purchase tickets here.
SaturDAY, JUNE 6
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. Try your hand at a nature craft; make it to the top of the climbing wall. Shop for camping gear, pottery, hiking socks, native plants, art and more. A used gear sale and auction support the year-round stewardship programming of the Loudoun Appalachian Trail Association.
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Old Stone School West Room
A Breath of Fresh Air: Art of Western Loudoun. The Great Outdoors and its forests, streams and critters inspire the four talented artists invited to share their work—paintings, prints, sketches, photographs, postcards and more. Meet and speak with the artists throughout the day. Art on display will be offered for sale.
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Festival Merchandise Tent
Online auction, used gear and merchandise sales. Support the festival by buying a T-shirt or hat. Bid on merchandise and experiences generously donated to the festival, and you might go home with hiking gear, amusement park passes, wine tastings, dining gift cards or a "Beat the Bomb" adventure—and much more! (Bidding for the silent auction closes at 2 p.m.; winning bidders can pick up their items starting at 3p.m.) Outfit your next adventure by shopping at our used gear sale.
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. Watch a puppet show, tie die a masterpiece, win a prize at Trail BINGO. Plus more!
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Old Stone School Patio
Meet the Authors. Heather Anderson (Further: 8 Months on America's Triple Crown Trails), Ben Montgomery (Grandma Gatewood's Walk) and Jeff Ryan (Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-Year Hike on America's Trail) sell and sign books. Note: All three authors will take part in the "Going the Distance" panel discussion from 12:30–1:30 p.m.
11 a.m.–12 p.m. Family Activity Tent
Shadow Puppetry with Phillip McKnight. Phillip McKnight has been studying and sharing "cranky" shadow puppetry for seven years. His first cranky was created and performed while through hiking the Appalachian trail in 2019. He'll share this show with us. (A cranky, or scrolling panorama, is a story told on a back-lit paper scroll rolled across a screen—often accompanied by music.)
11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Music 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 Appalachian Trail Conservancy representative Yong Lee to say a few words about why we're all here. Welcome!
12–1:15 p.m. Music Stage
Rock Creek Revival. This Maryland-based band draws inspiration from the broad history of bluegrass, everything from first-generation pioneers like Bill Monroe and Jimmy Martin to contemporary acts.
12:30-1:30 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 led by Charlie "Popeye" Billingsley. Hikers include Heather "Anish" Anderson, Ben "Nephew" Montgomery, Jim "Sisu" Fetig, Ray "Bones" Stinson and some of this year's class of thru hikers.
12:30-1:30 p.m. Family Activity Tent
Leave No Trace Fun. Next Bend Adventures presents the Leave No Trace principles in a fun, interactive presentation for all the family
1:30–2:30 p.m. Old Stone School Auditorium
100 Years of A.T. Hikers. Mills Kelly's morst recent book, A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail, is a comprehensive chronicle of the A.T. told through the experiences of individual hikers. Kelly joins us to talk about his book as he shares tales from the Trail. The book will be on sale.
1:45–3 p.m. Music Stage
Melissa and the Moth Men. Featuring twangy vocals, fiddle, pedal steel and electric guitar, Melissa and the Moth Men specialize in classic country, honky tonk and western swing.
2:30-3:30 p.m. Old Stone School Auditorium
Beyond Ramen: Gourmet Trail Cooking. Backpacking meals you can look forward to! Hiker/author/historian/adventurer Jeff Ryans joins us again to share recipes and cooking hacks. Jeff will be around all day to sell and sign his books.
2–3 p.m. Family Activity Tent
Storytime + Crafts. Lovettesville Library shares a story and leads a nature-themed craft.
2 p.m. Festival Merchandise Tent
Auction closes. Winning bids will be notified.,
3–5 p.m. Festival Merchandise Tent
Auction pick up. Auction items are available for pickup from 3 p.m. until the close of the festival. Have to leave the festival early? Just get in touch; other arrangements can be made for pickup. Some items can be mailed.
3:30–4:30 p.m. Family Activity Tent
Tie Dye Party. Free! Loudoun Appalachian Trail Association leads a tie dye session.
3:30–4:30 p.m. Old Stone School Auditorium
An Uncaged Life: 6000 Miles on the Trail
Ray Stinson talks about 6,000+ miles of backcountry adventures as a single dad, being a feral east-coast nomad, conservation and forestry, and so much more. This intimate conversation aims to inspire the good life outdoors.
3:30–4:45 p.m. Music Stage
Short Hill Mountain Boys. This beloved Appalachian string band blends musical genres with tight harmonic vocals, fiddling and guitar picking as they play their own blend of bluegrass, country, Celtic and folk music.
5:30–7:30 p.m. Old Stone School Grounds
After party. Stay after our official festival hours for food and drinks and community camaraderie.
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. Try your hand at a nature craft; make it to the top of the climbing wall. Shop for camping gear, pottery, hiking socks, native plants, art and more. A used gear sale and auction support the year-round stewardship programming of the Loudoun Appalachian Trail Association.
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Old Stone School West Room
A Breath of Fresh Air: Art of Western Loudoun. The Great Outdoors and its forests, streams and critters inspire the four talented artists invited to share their work—paintings, prints, sketches, photographs, postcards and more. Meet and speak with the artists throughout the day. Art on display will be offered for sale.
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Festival Merchandise Tent
Online auction, used gear and merchandise sales. Support the festival by buying a T-shirt or hat. Bid on merchandise and experiences generously donated to the festival, and you might go home with hiking gear, amusement park passes, wine tastings, dining gift cards or a "Beat the Bomb" adventure—and much more! (Bidding for the silent auction closes at 2 p.m.; winning bidders can pick up their items starting at 3p.m.) Outfit your next adventure by shopping at our used gear sale.
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. Watch a puppet show, tie die a masterpiece, win a prize at Trail BINGO. Plus more!
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Old Stone School Patio
Meet the Authors. Heather Anderson (Further: 8 Months on America's Triple Crown Trails), Ben Montgomery (Grandma Gatewood's Walk) and Jeff Ryan (Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-Year Hike on America's Trail) sell and sign books. Note: All three authors will take part in the "Going the Distance" panel discussion from 12:30–1:30 p.m.
11 a.m.–12 p.m. Family Activity Tent
Shadow Puppetry with Phillip McKnight. Phillip McKnight has been studying and sharing "cranky" shadow puppetry for seven years. His first cranky was created and performed while through hiking the Appalachian trail in 2019. He'll share this show with us. (A cranky, or scrolling panorama, is a story told on a back-lit paper scroll rolled across a screen—often accompanied by music.)
11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Music 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 Appalachian Trail Conservancy representative Yong Lee to say a few words about why we're all here. Welcome!
12–1:15 p.m. Music Stage
Rock Creek Revival. This Maryland-based band draws inspiration from the broad history of bluegrass, everything from first-generation pioneers like Bill Monroe and Jimmy Martin to contemporary acts.
12:30-1:30 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 led by Charlie "Popeye" Billingsley. Hikers include Heather "Anish" Anderson, Ben "Nephew" Montgomery, Jim "Sisu" Fetig, Ray "Bones" Stinson and some of this year's class of thru hikers.
12:30-1:30 p.m. Family Activity Tent
Leave No Trace Fun. Next Bend Adventures presents the Leave No Trace principles in a fun, interactive presentation for all the family
1:30–2:30 p.m. Old Stone School Auditorium
100 Years of A.T. Hikers. Mills Kelly's morst recent book, A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail, is a comprehensive chronicle of the A.T. told through the experiences of individual hikers. Kelly joins us to talk about his book as he shares tales from the Trail. The book will be on sale.
1:45–3 p.m. Music Stage
Melissa and the Moth Men. Featuring twangy vocals, fiddle, pedal steel and electric guitar, Melissa and the Moth Men specialize in classic country, honky tonk and western swing.
2:30-3:30 p.m. Old Stone School Auditorium
Beyond Ramen: Gourmet Trail Cooking. Backpacking meals you can look forward to! Hiker/author/historian/adventurer Jeff Ryans joins us again to share recipes and cooking hacks. Jeff will be around all day to sell and sign his books.
2–3 p.m. Family Activity Tent
Storytime + Crafts. Lovettesville Library shares a story and leads a nature-themed craft.
2 p.m. Festival Merchandise Tent
Auction closes. Winning bids will be notified.,
3–5 p.m. Festival Merchandise Tent
Auction pick up. Auction items are available for pickup from 3 p.m. until the close of the festival. Have to leave the festival early? Just get in touch; other arrangements can be made for pickup. Some items can be mailed.
3:30–4:30 p.m. Family Activity Tent
Tie Dye Party. Free! Loudoun Appalachian Trail Association leads a tie dye session.
3:30–4:30 p.m. Old Stone School Auditorium
An Uncaged Life: 6000 Miles on the Trail
Ray Stinson talks about 6,000+ miles of backcountry adventures as a single dad, being a feral east-coast nomad, conservation and forestry, and so much more. This intimate conversation aims to inspire the good life outdoors.
3:30–4:45 p.m. Music Stage
Short Hill Mountain Boys. This beloved Appalachian string band blends musical genres with tight harmonic vocals, fiddling and guitar picking as they play their own blend of bluegrass, country, Celtic and folk music.
5:30–7:30 p.m. Old Stone School Grounds
After party. Stay after our official festival hours for food and drinks and community camaraderie.
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.