The public is invited to attend “RockyFest 2015” on Saturday, May 9 at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area (Rocky Face Park). The event will feature 5K/10K/20K trail races, live music, rock climbing and rappelling, children’s activities, chainsaw carving, food/arts/crafts vendors, guided nature hikes, and more.
The third annual event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the Kurt Barkley 5K and the RockyFest 10K and 20K trail races. For complete race details and online registration, visit www.rockyfacepark.com/rockyfest or contact Rick French at (828) 632-9332 or rfrench@alexandercountync.gov.
Free rock climbing and rappelling sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be offered throughout the day by Rock Dimensions Climbing Guides of Boone.
Children’s activities (inflatables, face painting, crafts, etc.), food, and vendors will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Guided nature hikes will also be offered throughout the day to encourage attendees to become more familiar with the park’s trails, views, and ecosystem.
Live music will run from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. RockyFest will feature a mix of traditional and roots music that encompasses folk, blues, contemporary acoustic, country, jazz, and bluegrass. The musical lineup includes: Thomas Aaron Garlow (12:00-12:40), J. Patrick Warren (12:50-1:30), Mary Elisabeth (1:40-2:20), The Message (2:30-3:30), The Neighbors (3:45-4:45), and The Idle Time Band (5:00-6:00). There will also be a “picking tent” where “unplugged” musicians can gather and play.
Randy Everett, renowned chainsaw carving artist, will perform demonstrations throughout the day. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s “Sensory Safari” trailer will also be on site. In addition, the Piedmont Amateur Astronomy Club will have solar telescopes available for public viewing.
Attendees should note that the parking lot at Rocky Face Park will be closed during the event; however, ample parking will be available at Rocky Face Baptist Church and other nearby parking areas. Greenway Public Transportation will transport visitors to and from the event.
As of April 21, more than 30 vendors have been approved for the event; however, applications are still being accepted for non-profit ($0), arts/crafts ($25), commercial ($35), and food ($50) vendors through May 3rd. No additional food vendors are being accepted at this time. Also, all vendor spaces that require electricity are filled. The vendor application is now available online at www.rockyfacepark.com/rockyfest. Once submitted, vendor applications will be reviewed by staff that will ensure a good fit with the event.
Alexander County Government expresses its appreciation to the fine sponsors of this year’s event: Platinum sponsor -- Duke Energy; Gold sponsor -- EnergyUnited; Silver sponsors -- Craftmaster Furniture, Huntington House Furniture, and Main Avenue Music; and Bronze sponsors -- Schneider Mills and Shurtape Technologies.
For more information about RockyFest 2015, visit www.RockyFacePark.com/RockyFest or call Park Ranger Alisha Stamey at (828) 632-1093.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0YSYnqKEJs
