The weather is finally cooler and the leaves are a changin’—FALL IS FINALLY HERE! Obviously, we’re busy preparing for GO Fest and all of the amazingly fun adventures that brings, but that’s just one weekend in October. We have tons of other fun activities for you and the family all month long. Here’s a down and dirty look at some of the programs and events we’re slinging this month.
(click here to skip the article and see a full listing of activities)
Fall/Halloween Activities
Fall Foliage Tree Tour– Oct. 15: Enjoy the stunning seasonal views of Roanoke and the surrounding area. Observe the 
changing trees and the beautiful autumn hues alongside Roanoke Parks and Recreation’s Urban Forester. Participants will learn why the Appalachian region is known to have one of the most unique canopy views of the fall season.
Bold Rock Hard Cider Trip– Oct. 24: Visit Bold Rock Hard Cider’s two locations in Nellysford, Virginia, to taste flights of their unique hard ciders, enjoy a guided tour and lunch at the cidery, and a self-guided tour of the barrel barn. Fee includes travel and tasting.
Fall Colors Kayak Excursion– Oct. 26: Kayaking is a great way to explore and experience Carvins Cove and take in the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the surrounding mountains.
Halloween Paint Party Jr.– Oct. 27: Get in the spirit for the spooky season with a special Halloween paint class! Kids ages 12 and under will follow step-by-step instructions to create their own Halloween painting to take home. Parents or guardians can also register to participate alongside their child!
Outdoor Recreation
Explore Your Local Parks by Bike– Oct. 10: Come on a neighborhood ride with us, stopping at all the awesome parks along 
the way. We will see Roanoke’s best-known, most-visited parks, and discover the hidden gems you might not even know about. Who knows? Maybe you will find your new favorite place in town! This route starts at Piedmont Park and visits Piedmont, Mill Mountain, Fern, and Garden City parks.
Pilot Mountain Rock Climbing– Oct. 11: Come experience real rock climbing at spectacular Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina. This co-led trip with Virginia Western Community College and Play Roanoke provides all necessary equipment and training to experience this incredible sport at an introductory price. Instruction, equipment, and transportation are provided.
Mill Mountain Trail Work– Oct. 13: Join fellow trail enthusiasts—hikers, bikers, and equestrians—to maintain the trails at Mill Mountain. These workdays are administered by Roanoke Parks and Recreation and will work on maintenance projects on our current trails. Roanoke Parks and Recreation will provide the tools, just show up with sturdy shoes, water, work gloves, and some excitement to create and maintain the trails in our valley.
New River Trails Biking (part 1)– Oct. 29: Over the course of three outings, you’ll have the opportunity to experience every mile of this beautiful trail. Part One will begin and end in the mountain music-rich town of Galax, Virginia, and be about 34 miles round trip. Enjoy the attractions of Chestnut Creek Falls and Dannelly Park as we pedal to the town of Fries, located right on the New River.
Health and Wellness
Spartan Up Free Challenge– Oct. 4: Join our friends at Ferguson Fitness to take on this FREE Spartan SGX workout & 
workshop. During the workout, you can look forward to team and partner challenges, and the Ferguson Fitness Team can modify for all fitness levels. Space is limited to 12 participants to maintain physical distance and safety/cleanliness protocols; click here to reserve your spot.
Tap Dance Cardio– Oct. 7: Fuse basic tap dance moves and upbeat music for a whole-body workout. The instructor will use easy-to-follow choreography and assist participants in modifying the workout to increase or decrease difficulty. All skill levels welcome!
ABCs of Medicare Educational Workshop– Oct. 10: Learn the basics of Medicare during this easy-to-understand workshop. Find out the answer to the most common questions including: How does Medicare work? Which parts of Medicare do I need and what does it cover? How, when, and where do I enroll?
Pints and Poses at Starr Hill– Oct. 18: Head on down to Starr Hill for a pint and a pose. This is a yoga class for all ability levels, so grab a mat and meet like-minded yogis and beer aficionados in the area!
Movement and Music– Oct. 28: Children ages 3-5 will make music using different instruments while moving their bodies. They’ll play along to some songs with jumps, squats, stomps, and other movements that will add to the beat. This class is excellent for developing motor skills while giving your wiggly little ones a chance to let loose.
GO Fest Weekend, October 16-18
GO Quest Epic Team Challenge: This is a brand new 2020 event created as a unique way to challenge and bring friends 
together, when they might not be able to physically be near one another. Teams of up to eight individuals will have exactly 72-hours, October 16-18, to complete 40+ missions. Some of these missions are specific to the Roanoke Region of Virginia, but others can be done anywhere in the world – so your team members don’t all have to live locally. Registration is open now!
GO Fest Benefit Concert: Help raise funds for Project Outside with live, high-energy music in a physically-distant setting. We’ll have two benefit concerts, one on Oct. 16 and another on Oct. 17. Groups can purchase a “pod” that holds up to six people. Once you reach your party pod with your five closest buds you can relax (take your mask off), and our volunteers will bring beer and food to you! There are only a few pods left, so grab your today!
Anthem GO Fest Weekend: GO Fest’s mission to get as many people outside as possible October 16-18. Our region’s businesses, clubs, and outdoor organizations have come up with events the weekend of GO Fest to encourage everyone to get outside and. Be sure to tag @roanokegofest when you share photos of your adventures.
GO Fest Merch and Raffle: All proceeds from GO Fest weekend are going toward Project Outside, a fund that will support outdoor industries and agencies. If you’re looking for a fun way to give, you can always purchase your GO Fest merch and/or participate in our raffle to win cool prize packages!
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