The outdoor barbecue at the 2006 ALDHA Gathering at Concord University in Athens, W.Va.
2010 Trail Festivals
Southern Ruck, Wesser, N.C. Jan. 15-17
It's held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, right on the Appalachian Trail. For information, check out the Web site at www.soruck.net.
PA Ruck, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pa. Jan. 29-31
It's held on the Appalachian Trail, at the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel near Gardners, Pa. For more information, check out the Web site at www.paruck.com.
Trailfest, Hot Springs, N.C. April 24
The Trailfest in Hot Springs is smaller than Trail Days but in a way a lot more homier. If you want to enjoy Hot Springs like you never were able to while thru-hiking, check out this festival. Check out the Web site at www.trailfest.net.
Trail Days, Damascus, Va. May 14-16
It is always the weekend AFTER Mothers Day, although there are usually some events held during the week leading up to the actual weekend. Visit the Web site at http://www.traildays.us.
A.T. Museum Grand Opening, Old Mill building, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, Pa. June 5, National Trails Day
The Appalachian Trail Museum will christen its new museum in the old mill not far from the halfway point of the A.T. at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Visit the Web site at www.atmuseum.org/ for information.
Vermont Long Trail Festival, Rutland, Vt. Aug. 7
The Rutland Long Trail Festival will be open for the weekend on Friday night, with camping available through Sunday. Festival activities will take place on the grounds on Saturday (vendors, music, presentations, childrens activities, etc.). Visit the Web site at http://www.longtrailfestivalvt.com for more information.
Trail's End Festival, Millinocket, Maine Sept. 9-12
This small but cozy festival taps into the early colors of northern Maine with Mount Katahdin as a backdrop.
ALDHA West, at Camp Morning Star, Angelus Oaks, Calif. Sept. 24-26
ALDHA West, a separate organization out West with similar interests as ALDHA, has information on its Web site at http://www.aldhawest.org/.
ALDHA Gathering, Concord University in Athens, W.Va., and the Appalachian South Folklife Center in nearby Pipestem Oct. 15-17
The 2010 Gathering will be one week later this year due to a scheduling conflict with Concord. As the time draws closer, we plan to post more information on the Gathering page at www.aldha.org/gathring.htm.
