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  1. #1

    Default 2018 flip flop festival

    Good Day Folks! Mayhem here to start spreading the word on the Festival plans for this year.

    The Festival kicks off Saturday April 28 and ends Sunday April 29, with educational programs specific to hiking and backpacking, as well as more general outdoor pursuits, being held both days. As before, there will be food, fun, entertainment, and education!

    One thing we are adding this year in addition to doing pack shakedowns throughout the weekend are "Appointment Only" pack shakedowns for folks that want a more private gear review. This will be available through the website or you can email me at [email protected].

    The Festival website will be up and live in the next couple weeks - I will make sure to update this post when it is available so you fine people will know the schedules, entertainment line up, challenges and Quest activities, etc.

    Keep an eye out for updates!
    Mayhem

  2. #2

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    I'll be in town starting my NOBO FF but haven't decided if I'll attend the activities, 50/50 right now. LaurieP has been quite helpful.

  3. #3
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    Where is this festival held??

  4. #4
    Registered User Kaptainkriz's Avatar
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    It has been right behind ATC HQ at 799 Washington Street in Harpers Ferry.
    Quote Originally Posted by Seatbelt View Post
    Where is this festival held??
    Plaid is fast! Ticks suck, literally... It’s ok, bologna hoses off…
    Follow my hiking adventures: https://www.youtube.com/user/KrizAkoni
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  5. #5

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    Folks,

    The Flip Flop Festival website is up and live - while there are more things to add, the educational workshops and seminars are listed out to help you plan your days at the Festival.

    FLIPFLOPFESTIVAL.ORG - take a look and check back regularly for updates.

    Also to address some of the above comments, the Festival center will be at the ATC and adjunct properties (you will not be able to visit Harpers Ferry 4/28-29 and not see signs to the Festival, parking, and related activities). In addition to the workshops and other attractions held near the ATC, the towns of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar are committed to holding other activities that will likely be of interest to visitors. Our hope is that visitors to the Festival will "make the rounds" and explore the various offerings from our local Merchants as well as participating in workshops.

    Questions? Email me at [email protected].

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by mayhemontheat View Post
    Folks,

    The Flip Flop Festival website is up and live - while there are more things to add, the educational workshops and seminars are listed out to help you plan your days at the Festival.

    FLIPFLOPFESTIVAL.ORG - take a look and check back regularly for updates.

    Also to address some of the above comments, the Festival center will be at the ATC and adjunct properties (you will not be able to visit Harpers Ferry 4/28-29 and not see signs to the Festival, parking, and related activities). In addition to the workshops and other attractions held near the ATC, the towns of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar are committed to holding other activities that will likely be of interest to visitors. Our hope is that visitors to the Festival will "make the rounds" and explore the various offerings from our local Merchants as well as participating in workshops.

    Questions? Email me at [email protected].
    Of course potential FFF attendees, including me, are likely to explore (historical town) and patronize local merchants. But this is a community that resists allowing festival attendees to have a place to tent/camp in or near the community (like Damascus), as I understand it. As I've posted before, it seems to me that if there is to be an increase in participation, I.E. an increase in business for local merchants, then it should be as convenient and affordable as possible for potential attendees. I'm booked with a local establishment just to have a place to stay but since I'm already carrying a comfortable shelter and premium sleeping equipment, and just starting my hike (shower not necessary), I don't see it as a "no brainer" to attend the festival. I may yet cancel everything (including patronizing local merchants and attending the festival) and just start my hike if I come to the conclusion that the accommodation/town expenditure money is needed more for my hike. It's probably enough to support at least two weeks on the trail. This is not to take away from the hard work that the ATC, it's staff and the volunteers do to make the festival happen, but rather the community just needs to get fully on board if they want the local economy to reap the potential benefits. Thank you mayhemontheat.

  7. #7

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    Good morning Singto!

    You are absolutely right, Harpers Ferry/Bolivar have not yet completely warmed to having a lower cost camping solution for our towns, but trust that we are diligently working on it (and have been for a while) as we also attract many long distance cyclers and other outdoor enthusiasts in addition to the hiking crowd. A couple of the big differences between HF/Bolivar and Damascus are the historical preservation & National Park components - as a protected historical area it makes establishing a campground within easy walking distance difficult and we are literally surrounded by National Parks which is a limiter. But again, we are working on it with both Town Councils and other associated organizations and hope to have something worked out for next season.

    What we are doing to help reduce cost is approaching the KOA (which is pretty close), Harpers Ferry Hostel, River & Trail/Brunswick Family Campground, River Riders, and potentially others to offer reduced rates during the Festival and provide a shuttle to get folks to and from town. I will certainly keep folks posted on that - hopefully that will lighten the financially burden and provide easier accessibility. While we would love to have you at the Festival I fully understand if you want to just get down to business and start your hike - however I will say that the seminars we put on are usually eye opening and of value for most people, regardless of level of experience. It's all personal choice of what works best for your circumstances and finances.

    Either way, I hope to meet you in person sometime! Let me know if you decide to come to the Festival so I can track you down. Hike on Singto and all my best!

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by mayhemontheat View Post
    Good morning Singto!

    You are absolutely right, Harpers Ferry/Bolivar have not yet completely warmed to having a lower cost camping solution for our towns, but trust that we are diligently working on it (and have been for a while) as we also attract many long distance cyclers and other outdoor enthusiasts in addition to the hiking crowd. A couple of the big differences between HF/Bolivar and Damascus are the historical preservation & National Park components - as a protected historical area it makes establishing a campground within easy walking distance difficult and we are literally surrounded by National Parks which is a limiter. But again, we are working on it with both Town Councils and other associated organizations and hope to have something worked out for next season.

    What we are doing to help reduce cost is approaching the KOA (which is pretty close), Harpers Ferry Hostel, River & Trail/Brunswick Family Campground, River Riders, and potentially others to offer reduced rates during the Festival and provide a shuttle to get folks to and from town. I will certainly keep folks posted on that - hopefully that will lighten the financially burden and provide easier accessibility. While we would love to have you at the Festival I fully understand if you want to just get down to business and start your hike - however I will say that the seminars we put on are usually eye opening and of value for most people, regardless of level of experience. It's all personal choice of what works best for your circumstances and finances.

    Either way, I hope to meet you in person sometime! Let me know if you decide to come to the Festival so I can track you down. Hike on Singto and all my best!
    Yes, I think you (ATC) have the right approach and attitude. I was thinking the same about an already established campground near the community reducing rates for the festival to attract additional business. The big reasons that I am considering attending is the seminars, activities and to meet fellow flip floppers and ATC staff.

    Thank you for yours and others hard work hosting this festival.

  9. #9

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    I would think many of those who plan to hike out of HF arrive by train and require accommodations which are within walking distance. Unfortunately, there aren't many bunks within walking distance of the train station.

    I can understand the reluctance to have a camping area, even if there was a suitable area near-by (not sure if there is). Don't want it to get out of hand like Damascus. But maybe if it was restricted to "walk in's only" that would keep the numbers and problems to a minimum. Show that you arrived by train (which I believe is the only public transportation way to get to HF) and you get into the camping area.

    Sorry I'll miss the festival this year. Looks like I'll arrive in HF to SOBO Virginia about a week early and will just hike out to the first campsite a few miles south of town after getting off the train.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Slo-go'en View Post
    Sorry I'll miss the festival this year. Looks like I'll arrive in HF to SOBO Virginia about a week early and will just hike out to the first campsite a few miles south of town after getting off the train.
    We're going to cross paths, as my wife and I are heading NOBO from Daleville starting on April 9th, hoping to make it to Penmar in 3 weeks. Look for a very grey-haired old couple! Except my wife doesn't look old... I certainly do.

    Anyway, the more I read about this, the more I think we're going to try to time it to walk through HF on that Sunday, after camping a ways south the night before. Sounds cool.

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by colorado_rob View Post
    We're going to cross paths, as my wife and I are heading NOBO from Daleville starting on April 9th, hoping to make it to Penmar in 3 weeks. Look for a very grey-haired old couple! Except my wife doesn't look old... I certainly do.

    Anyway, the more I read about this, the more I think we're going to try to time it to walk through HF on that Sunday, after camping a ways south the night before. Sounds cool.
    You're likely to miss most of the activities and hikers. Sunday morning there's a breakfast at 7:30 and hiker send-off at 9:00. Other than that, the only activity that is currently listed is an afternoon African American history hike at 1:00.

    They do say there will be a smaller send-off on Monday morning but I want to be at Ed Garvey or Crampton Sunday afternoon/evening. And I would guess that most FF hikers are thinking the same. If I see a couple as you described, I'll come up and say hi. Otherwise, happy hiking.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Singto View Post
    You're likely to miss most of the activities and hikers. Sunday morning there's a breakfast at 7:30 and hiker send-off at 9:00. Other than that, the only activity that is currently listed is an afternoon African American history hike at 1:00.

    They do say there will be a smaller send-off on Monday morning but I want to be at Ed Garvey or Crampton Sunday afternoon/evening. And I would guess that most FF hikers are thinking the same. If I see a couple as you described, I'll come up and say hi. Otherwise, happy hiking.
    thanks for this excellent info, we might be able to get there sooner.

  13. #13

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    Hey Folks,

    Well this cool...for this year's Festival we have partnered with REI who will be onsite conducting several different workshops, a Q&A / Open Discussion Session, and other activities. As we are still in the planning stages the details will be posted as soon as we have them hammered out, so please check our site regularly (flipflopfestival.org) for details. Vendors, food, music, games, workshops, a Flip Flopper Reunion...Harpers Ferry/Bolivar is the place to be April 27-29.

    Hope to see you there
    Mayhem

  14. #14

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    Heads up - new this year at the Flip Flop Festival:

    Appointment Only Pack Shakedowns are being scheduled for Friday April 27th, between the hours of 3:00pm - 6:00pm for any of those folks that prefer a more one-on-one and less public gear review. To schedule, email me at [email protected] and we will get you on the list.

    Are you guys getting excited to get started?

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by mayhemontheat View Post
    Heads up - new this year at the Flip Flop Festival:

    Appointment Only Pack Shakedowns are being scheduled for Friday April 27th, between the hours of 3:00pm - 6:00pm for any of those folks that prefer a more one-on-one and less public gear review. To schedule, email me at [email protected] and we will get you on the list.

    Are you guys getting excited to get started?
    Um..... Yeah! Difficult watching others starting their NOBO and not being out there. Great to watch and support them though.

  16. #16
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    I'm flip flopping but from further south. Local advice required how hard would it be to get transport from Pearlsburg to HP and obviously back again? Looking online hiring a car is probably the easiest option, if there is a car rental in Pearlsburg.
    "He was a wise man who invented beer." Plato

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    You might try here: White Blaze Shuttle Providers Good Luck.
    Blackheart

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjozgrunt View Post
    I'm flip flopping but from further south. Local advice required how hard would it be to get transport from Pearisburg to HP and obviously back again? Looking online hiring a car is probably the easiest option, if there is a car rental in Pearlsburg.
    If you're talking about "pearisburg", yep, there's an Enterprise Car Rental about 2 miles "west" of where the trail enters Pearisburg, in a nearby town called Narrows VA. Enterprise car rental is pretty good about picking you up and dropping you off some distance from their shop. Give them a call.

  19. #19
    Registered User BuckeyeBill's Avatar
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    You might try here: White Blaze Shuttle Providers Good Luck.
    Blackheart

  20. #20
    Registered User BuckeyeBill's Avatar
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    Sorry for the double post.
    Blackheart

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