Backpacking workshops, pack shakedowns, and programs showcasing the rich history and wide variety of recreational opportunities in around Harpers Ferry, WV are part of the line-up this year. There will be music, food, vendors. The event is free, and parking for the weekend is free as well.

The evening speaker will be Derick "Mr. Fabulous" Lugo, a 2012 thru-hiker.


The core purpose of this event has been to promote Flip Flop thru-hikes that start mid-Trail, but it has grown to include much more.

Lodging in the area is filling up fast, so make your reservations now. There is no in-town camping in Harpers Ferry or Bolivar. I'll post more about camping options later.

SCHEDULE


SATURDAY, APRIL 22
(9:00 am - 9:00 pm)

Music
Odd Fellows Lodge Lawn
  • 10:00 - 11:30 The Hokums
  • 12:00 - 1:30 Lisa & Friends
  • 1:45 - 3:15 Bob Keel
  • 3:30 - 5:00 Craggy Island



Vendors
Odd Fellows Lodge Lawn, Fillmore Street
  • 9:00 - 5:00
  • Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (Long-distance hiking on the A.T. and trails worldwide)
  • Appalachian Trail Conservancy (Enjoyment and preservation of the Appalachian Trail)Hawk with raptor lady at Flip Flop Festival
  • Appalachian Trail Museum (Telling the stories of the Appalachian Trail since its creation)
  • Audubon Society Potomac Valley Chapter (Conservation and nature programs)
  • Eagle's Nest Woolens (Hats, scarves, and sweaters)
  • Guide Shack (selling snacks, drinks, and handmade crafts)
  • Shenandoah University (Hiker survey on effects of long-distance hiking)
  • Hosteling International (Inspiring and diverse locations in different cultures)
  • Rolling Pepperoni (Packaged Sweet and Savory West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls)
  • Mishkin Photography (Photographs that tell stories of places and the people that love them)
  • Outfitter at Harpers Ferry (Hiking and outdoor equipment, foot care and shoe-fitting)Cornhole
  • Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (Hiking and trail maintenance in VA, WV, MD, and PA)
  • River Riders (Rafting guides, tubing, zip-lining)
  • Shepherd's Spring (Maryland retreat; water bottles, cooling scarves, other mdse.)
  • Sly Ultralight Outdoor Gear
  • The Towns Inn (Inn, cafe, and shoppe in historic Harpers Ferry; hiker supplies and snacks)
  • Trego Mountain Nature Center (Live birds of prey)
  • Two Rivers Tread (Running Store selling shoes, socks, etc.)
  • Wood Eye Wood (Handcrafted wood products)



Festival Food Vendors
  • Bisou Bistro (Sandwiches & Soups)
  • Kona Ice Truck (Shaved ice and other sweets)
  • Odd Fellows Lodge (Hamburgers and Hot Dogs)
  • A Step in Time Bake Shop (Baked Goods)



Games and Kids' Activities
Mather Lawn (across from Odd Fellows Lodge)
  • Pack the Pack (featuring "The 10 Essentials)Dick on bike on C&O
  • Guess the Weight
  • Name that State
  • Disc Golf
  • Corn Hole Toss




Recreation & History Workshops
​Curtis Freewill Baptist Church, upper floor
Times tba
  • Biking the C&O and GAP Trails (Doug Riegner, Great Allegheny Passage)
  • Following the Path of the Underground Railroad(Brittany Leavitt, Outdoor Afro)Outdoor Afro group shot in front of ATC
  • Storer College: A Legacy of Civil Rights on the Heels of Slavery (Guinevere Roper, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park)
  • Introduction to Long Distance Biking (Chris Craig)
  • Leave No Trace (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
  • Nature Therapy: Finding Peace in Wild
  • Rock Climbing (Chris ​Price)


Hiking & Backpacking Workshops
Curtis Freewill Baptist Church, lower floor
10:20 - 11:20 Hiking for Beginners (Max "Bearbag" Mishkin)Shakedown for Flip Flop Festival
11:30 - 12:20 Long-distance Hiking on the A.T. (Jim "Sisu" Fetig)
2:00 - 2:50 Health & Safety (Heather "Brave" Sloan)
3:00 - 3:50 Trail Etiquette and Trail Magic
4:00 - 4:50 Flip Flopper Panel

Pack Shakedowns
9:00 a.m. - 12:00, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Curtis Freewill Baptist Church lawn
Learn from expert hikers what you do and don't need in your pack for a safe and enjoyable backpacking trip while practicing Leave No Trace. Bring your own fully-loaded backpack and get recommendations on how you can lighten your load, or watch as others go through a "shakedown"!

Safely Storing Food in the Backcountry
Appalachian Trail Conservancy side yard
11:00 am - 12:00pm, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Different methods for keeping food and "smellables" safe from bears (and mice) in the backcountry will be demonstrated, including the "PCT Method" bear-bag hang and tips for using a "bear canister."


Evening Entertainment

An Unlikely Thru-Hiker:
Derick "Mr. Fabulous" Lugo (7:00 pm)
Light Horse Inn Barn, 1084 W. Washington St., Bolivar
Derick Lugo is a hiker, writer and blogger. Since completing his thru-hike in 2012 he has spoken at several venues about his passion for hiking the Appalachian Trail. He is currently on final edits of his book entitled ‘An Unlikely Thru-Hiker,' a humorous account of his unusual and life changing AT thru-hike. Derick resides in New York City, but his heart lives where the AT takes him. You can find Derick, his works and his future projects at Facebook @An Appalachian Journey / Instagram @dericklugo / Twitter @Derick_Lugo”
Donations requested.

Derick recently ​starred in the myATstory video "Trail Brothers."



SUNDAY, APRIL 23
(7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Pancake Breakfast (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 am)
Camp Hill-Wesley United Methodist Church
654 Washington St, Harpers Ferry
Donations accepted.

Flip Flopper Send Off (9:00 a.m.)
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
799 Washington St., Harpers Ferry

Workshops (11:00 - 3:00)
Curtis Freewill Baptist Church upstairs
schedule tba
Long-distance Hiking on the A.T. (Jim "Sisu" Fetig)
Appalachian Trail 14 State Challenge (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
Introduction to Long Distance Biking (Chris Craig)
Rock Climbing (Chris ​Price)

Pack Shakedowns
10:00 a.m. - 12:00, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Curtis Freewill Baptist Church lawn
Learn from expert hikers what you do and don't need in your pack for a safe and enjoyable backpacking trip while practicing Leave No Trace. Bring your own fully-loaded backpack and get recommendations on how you can lighten your load, or watch as others go through a "shakedown"!

Safely Storing Food in the Backcountry
Appalachian Trail Conservancy side yard
11:00 am - 12:00pm
Different methods for keeping food and "smellables" safe from bears (and mice) in the backcountry will be demonstrated, including the "PCT Method" bear-bag hang and tips for using a "bear canister."

Guided African American History Hike (1:00 - 3:00)
Begins at Appalachian Trail Conservancy
799 Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV
A Harpers Ferry National Historical Park ranger will lead a one-mile hike along the grounds of Storer College, ​one of the nation’s first institutions of higher learning open to all Americans. The hike will also follow the Appalachian Trail past Jefferson Rock, Civil War ruins, and John Brown's Fort. ​Participants will also learn about the Niagara Movement, considered to be the cornerstone of the modern civil rights era. The route includes numerous steep steps. The hike ends at the scenic location known as The Point in the lower town historic district. Registration is strongly encouraged; send email with AAHH Registration in the subject line to [email protected].

ASL interpreters available.


We are also have a second flip-flopper send-off on Monday morning, April 24, to help spread out the traffic, and encourage flip-floppers to stay another day.

If you are a flip-flopper starting your thru-hike around the time of the festival, we have some additional activities for you that don't appear on the festival schedule. Some of those folks have already heard from me if they registered their thru-hike before the end of February. I'll be reaching out to more who've registered since then soon. Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have questions.