GO FEST

It was a major shift in a Star City staple, but the first-ever GO Fest in downtown Roanoke is being called a success.

The annual Go Outside Festival will take place this weekend in Downtown Roanoke.

The fun and excitement of Roanoke’s GO Fest is moving downtown.

Go Fest is only a few months away from welcoming thousands of people to the Roanoke Valley. And, organizers are making some major changes to the annual outdoor festival.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Go Outside Festival has gone the socially-distant route this year because of COVID-19, except for one major exception. The annual event from the Roanoke Outside Foundation often attracts tens of thousands of people to Rivers Edge Park, but organizer Julia Boas said it is impossible to replicate the usual GO Fest this year. Boas said the festival took every precaution to keep the concert crowd as spread out as possible. A cyclocross course at Fallon Park raised $5 for every lap a racer completed. Course organizer Kerry Warren aimed to raise more than $2,500 from the racers.

ROANOKE, Va – Roanoke’s GO Fest typically draws in crowds by the thousands. Thursday staff members spent the day setting up for the weekend-long festival to celebrate the love of the outdoors. One of the main events is a socially distant concert series with the goal of raising $100,000 for Project Outside. Organizers hope the new socially distant protocols will set a standard industry-wide. Only six people will be allowed in the socially distant placed pods to enjoy the concerts, which is something staff members hope will bring the community together.

ROANOKE, Va. – The annual GO Fest in Roanoke will still be happening despite coronavirus, but it will look a little different this year. Officials say the festival won’t be at River’s Edge — it will be replaced with smaller, socially distanced events during the weekend of Oct. 16-18. “We want it to be a weekend where everyone makes it a point to do something outside,” said Julia Boas, events director for the Roanoke Outside Foundation. “More than ever we need to gather outside, physically distant but socially connected.,” said Kait Pedigo, Roanoke Parks and Recreation special events supervisor. All proceeds raised will go to Project Outside, which is a fund created to support outdoor capital improvement projects, maintain outdoor facilities and help launch and support outdoor businesses.

ROANOKE, Va. - If you like going outside, this weekend might be the perfect time to do so. The annual GO Outside Festival kicked off Friday evening at River's Edge Park. The Roanoke Outside Foundation expects 40,000 people to come and check out GO Fest throughout the weekend. The festival features a bevy of outdoor activities, including slacklining and ax throwing, as well as music and a beer garden. GO Fest is at River's Edge South due to construction on Rivers Edge North, although organizers still encourage attendees to park on the north side of the river.

ROANOKE, Va. - One of Roanoke's largest annual events is ready to welcome tens of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to the Star City. The Go Outside Festival expects about 40,000 visitors during its weekend run at River's Edge Park South. GO Fest will feature dozens of outdoor activities; organizers say the aim is to cement Roanoke's reputation as an outdoor destination. "The festival has a lot of different elements," said Julia Boas, of the Roanoke Outside Foundation. The festival is traditionally held at River's Edge Park North, but it moved across the Roanoke River due to construction.

ROANOKE, Va. - Now in its ninth year, Roanoke's Go Outside Festival, more commonly known as GO Fest, continues to bring new things to keep the annual event fresh and exciting. One new activity for 2019 is the Adventure Gym, featuring challenges and obstacles as seen on "American Ninja Warrior." Don't forget, due to renovations at Rivers Edge North, this year's GO Fest will take place at Rivers Edge South. GO Fest will be packed with more activities than you can do in three days, including camping, biking, paddling, races, fishing, climbing and more. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.