Trail Days creeping up May 15-17

Damascus is celebrating its 39th year of the Appalachian Trail Days Festival on May 15-17, as the town gears up for another busy season of hikers on the Appalachian Trail. The title sponsor again this year is Hyperlite Mountain Gear, a company popular among hikers for its ultralight backpacks, shelters, tarps, and accessories. Known as "Trail Days" by locals and hikers, it's the biggest event of the year in Damascus and the world's largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture. Each year, the town swells from 700 residents to an estimated 25,000 people for the festival. Hikers often catch shuttles from other trail towns within a couple of hours north and south of Damascus. Past-year hikers return to Damascus to reunite with friends from the trail. Residents of Southwest Virginia and the Tri-Cities come to be a part of the experience, whether for the weekend or just for a day. Volunteers travel from across the Southeast US and beyond to support the Trail Days Ministry Team. The event is so large that the town hosts a campground area, known as Tent City, to help accommodate the crowds. The Appalachian Trail Days Festival is family-friendly, free to the public and packed with activities. This outdoor event continues rain or shine. The town park fills with more than 120 vendors of handmade goods and some of the best outdoor gear in the industry, as well as nonprofit trail partners and a busy schedule of lectures, workshops, and live music. Local businesses offer event specials throughout downtown. Fan favorites include the hiker talent show at the Town Park stage, hiker parade and water fight along Laurel Avenue, drum circle at Tent City and abundant "trail magic" free services offered throughout the town. Event Schedule Highlights: Tent City is open for walk-in tent camping from 9 a.m. Thursday to 6pm on Sunday. Friday to Sunday - Free live music at the Town Park stage from 12:30 p.m. on Friday to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Full lineup is posted at VisitDamascus.org/TrailDays. Friday to Sunday - Free programs and presentations on trail topics at the Rock School Auditorium, Old Mill Conference Room, and Damascus Trail Center. Schedule posted at VisitDamascus.org/TrailDays. Saturday at 2pm - Trail Days Hiker Parade - Bring your super soaker and find a spot along Laurel Ave for the Hiker Parade! Thru-hikers and trail clubs, line up for the parade at Sundog Outfitter at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at 3 p.m. - Trail Days Auction at the Gazebo in the Town Park - Proceeds benefit "The Place" Hostel, operated by Damascus United Methodist Church, the oldest hostel on the AT. Sunday at 11 a.m. - 5th Annual Osprey Packs Trail Days 5K & Run Happy Kids' 1K, plus a new Trail Days Half Marathon The upper half of the Virginia Creeper Trail remains closed until it is rebuilt, with an estimated completion in late 2026. A detour is required on the Appalachian Trail north of Damascus. The official detour follows the Iron Mountain Trail from town and reconnects near Thomas Knob shelter. This trail closure is partway between Damascus and the Whitetop Mountain/Elk Garden area. Hikers traveling between town and the Mount Rogers High Country must plan an alternate route for the 2026 season. Closed area strictly enforced.