It’s said that the Roanoke Valley in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is an outdoor lover’s paradise. We at Mast General Store fully agree, and we’re not alone!

Roanoke has been named “The Best Trail Town” by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and one of the most bike-friendly communities in the United States by USA Today Travel. With more than 700 miles of trails in the region, ranging from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the easy-going, 13.5-mile walkable and bikeable Roanoke Greenway, it’s difficult to dispute these high honors.

Roanoke and the city’s annual Anthem GO Outside Festival were also recently featured nationally on TODAY with Hoda and Jenna as a fall “must-see” destination. It was a claim that co-host, Hoda Kotb, a proud Hokie alum, could personally corroborate from her student days on Virginia Tech’s campus in nearby Blacksburg.

The GO Outside Festival, or “GO Fest,” as it’s known to locals, is indeed an ideal showcase of the region’s profuse outdoor offerings. This sprawling three-day celebration of all-things-outdoors, which lasts from Friday, October 13 – Sunday, October 15, 2023, covers activities to get people of all ages and interests moving anywhere and in any way they please under the sun.

In its wide array of events, GO Fest features races, demonstrations, concerts, films, yoga, educational lectures, scavenger hunts, tours, and much more. Among the many happenings, there will be lumberjack, BMX, mountain bike, and highline shows; craft beer relays and e-bike tours of the city; half-marathon and 5K races; panel discussions on local parks, wildlife, and travel; inclusive, how-to sessions on Leave No Trace, knot tying, stone carving, and DIY reuseable bags; as well as live podcasts and social media takeovers.

One of those social media takeovers will be hosted by the Mast Store’s very own social media maestro, roving reporter on the streets and in the wilderness, and local celebrity, Sammy Scheerer. Sammy will take the reins of GO Fest’s social channels just prior to one of the weekend’s biggest draws, the Banff Mountain Film Festival, which begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. During his takeover, Sammy will talk about the Mast Store’s partnership with GO Fest, share a bit of the store’s history, and fill you in on some of his favorite things to do outdoors in the Roanoke area. Follow the GO Fest handle on Facebook and Instagram to catch Sammy and all the other GO Fest happenings.

Head out to Roanoke for GO Fest, October 13 – 15, and find new ways to wander, explore, and discover this city and the gorgeous landscapes that surround it. For more information about this year’s event, including a full schedule of events, visit roanokegofest.com. To find information on places to stay, restaurants, and other things to do in Virginia's Blue Ridge, click on over to Visit Roanoke.