Red Wing Roots Music Festival Preview
July 8-10, Mt. Solon, VA
Written by Matthew J. Hunnicut
Situated near the North River Ranger District of George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Red Wing Roots Music Festival consists of three days, four stages and 40 bands performing at the beautiful Natural Chimneys Park and Campground in Mt Solon, VA, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Stretching over 120ft into the air, the limestone towers provide a spectacular backdrop for some great music in the great outdoors.
Red Wing Roots is presented by Harrisonburg’s own Original Americana Roots Musicians; The Steel Wheels. This acoustic four piece goes beyond blending their voices and instruments to create sweet southern sounds, making it their mission “to fuse the personal with the universal, the deeply rooted past with the joys and sorrows of everyday existence”.
The Lineup will feature the best in Americana Soul, Rock, Country, Blues, Gospel Soul, Bluegrass and all things grass roots. Festival goers will be treated to performances by Dawes, Shovels and Ropes, The Lone Bellow, Steep Canyon Rangers, Yarn, His Golden Messengers, Aoife O’Donovan and many, many More.
Red Wing Roots is a family friendly festival and features activities for all ages. There will be a collaborative mural to paint, tie-dye workshops, a mist pavilion, outdoor games, a rock climbing wall, face painting, henna and glitter tattoos and lots more.
This is one festival that ventures far beyond music. Saturday morning will be full of outdoor group activities that are sure to get your blood pumping and still get you back to camp in time to catch all the music. For the cyclist in your group, there will be two organized road rides and one trail ride. “The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the best road and mountain bike riding on the east coast. From spectacular summits, beautiful river roads, or endless miles of singletrack, the area around Natural Chimneys Park offers it all”.
Join Friends of Shenandoah Mountain and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club – Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter, for a choice of two revitalizing and majestic hikes on Shenandoah Mountain; Little Bald Hike, a challenging 6.4 mile climb to Little Bald Knob that advances 2000’ in 3.2 miles to the summit, and Grooms Ridge Hike, a tough but rewarding climb to a scenic point on Grooms Ridge Trail that climbs 1200’ in 1.7 miles to a panoramic overlook with views of Reddish Knob, Buck Mountain, Little Bald Knob, and Big Bald Knob.
There will also be a 3-mile run, 1.5-mile loop around the farm field across the street from Natural Chimneys Park, and a 6.5-mile road. “This run is a gorgeous trek through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Shenandoah Valley”.
The fishermen in your group will pleased to learn that Augusta County, VA, is home to a total of 31 lakes, and is also the home of Mossy Creek, Virginia’s most famous fly fishing destination. Please note, however, a license issued by the State of Virginia is required to fish.
Natural Chimneys Park also features a fenced public swimming pool with a lifeguard on duty. The fee is $3 per person and hours are Thursday 12-6pm, and Friday/Saturday/Sunday 10am-7pm.
On the short list of things not to bring, Glass and Pets are at the very top. You also don’t need to bring water thanks to Klean Kanteen’s free water filling stations. Do bring your shower shoes though because there are permanent showers on site! 21+ be sure to bring your I.D. so that you can enjoy a frosty Craft Brew as South Street Brewery and WNRN come together again with TWO South Street Beer Gardens this year!
Other than that, bring a good attitude, an open mind and an open heart and be prepared to have them both filled by Sunday afternoon.
