Adventure Log: Red Wing Roots Music Festival

Music is a big deal in this household. While we love good music of all types ,we tend to lean more towards Roots music, with a smattering of Rock, Hip-Hop, Bluegrass, Irish, and Classical making its way into our lives as well. Since 2012 we’ve made a habit of hitting the Red Wing Roots music festival in Mt. Solon, VA. It’s a great event, for those of you who like music, kids, camping.

Our first couple of years we drove in to the festival each day. For us this was a reasonably short hike, and we had an under 2 year old who needed 8 hours in order to be moderately human. However, for year 3 we camped, and oh boy how great that was. Friendly campers, well set up areas (even in overflow), good bath facilities, and the ability to still hear the Punch Brothers while putting kids to sleep made it ideal.

Honestly this is the only festival I’ve been to that put the focus on music and the experience being for the whole family: Kids were encouraged to come (they are free under 12) and experience the whole festival (our kids at the stage watching The Wood Brothers was awesome for us, and the band), there is a beer garden which prevents widespread alcohol consumption and the associated littering, and the level of pharmaceutical aids was reasonably low – or at least under control. The artists that attend spent time outside of the ‘artist area’ enjoying the music with the rest of us.

In addition to the great music (Possessed by Paul James, The Wood Brothers, The Devil Makes Three, The Brothers Comatose, The Steel Wheels, etc., etc. etc.) there’s a bunch of hiking in the area, group bike rides and yoga are organized for the mornings, and there’s a small stream that runs through the park near the main stage. On hot summer days (yes Virginia in July is hot) kids adults (artists and admirers alike) would wade into the cool waters to stack rocks, float on tubes and cool off.

Our kids absolutely love going to this festival, and it doesn’t hurt that they have a bunch of friends whose parents attend as well. More than anything it feels like a community at this intentionally small event. This is not Floyd Fest, although the quality of the music is equivalent. In many ways it feels like an event organized by the musicians for their friends and families (which it is). I feel guilty writing about the event because it feels so personal and private and I don’t want it to get huge. However, I would be remiss in not promoting such a great event for parents and kids who love adventure and music.