‘Friendliest Town on Appalachian Trail’ Welcomes Hikers, Everyone to Trail Days

DAMASCUS, Va. – Like a call of nature, the hikers are headed back to town.
And merchants from bike-shuttle services to the Laurel Family Drug Center are rolling out the red carpet in celebration of the 23rd Annual Appalachian Trail Days.
This year’s theme: “Give Back to the Trail.”
It’s all part of remembering Damascus’s self-styled place as the “Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail.”
Expect a wide variety of activities in this Washington County town, including this Saturday’s town-wide yard sale plus performances and slide-show presentations at the Rock School Auditorium; the Hikers Parade; trout rodeo; and free gear repair from several manufacturers in the campground throughout the festival.
Camping is available starting at 10 a.m., May 14, for $15 per car and $5 per person for four nights. Walk-in hikers pay $5 at the gate to obtain a wristband good for four nights of tent camping at the town’s campground.
Stone Mountain Health Services will visit the Damascus Community Park on May 15 to issue free breathing tests and blood pressure readings.
Crafters and outfitters set up on May 14 at the town park and will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 15-16; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 17; while food vendors are slated to be open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on May 15-16.
Hikers, also, can enjoy all kinds of free services at First Baptist Church - including free showers; a free Internet cafe; medical screenings and first aide; access to grills; and even May 14’s “Free Famous Home-Cooked Meal,” serving grilled hot dogs, chips, soda and homemade chili under the picnic shelter in the First Baptist Church yard at 6 p.m.

| (276) 791-0704

APPALACHIAN TRAIL DAYS: At a Glance
Where: Damascus, Va.
When: May 9-17, 2009
Info: (276) 475-3831

SATURDAY, May 9
7 a.m. - Justin Foundation 5K Race; registration at the caboose; certified course of the Virginia Creeper Trail; part of the State of Franklin Track Club Queen and King Series. Race starts at 8 a.m. All proceeds go to support the youth of Damascus. Questions? Call David Matlock, (276) 475-6043

8 a.m. - Town-Wide yard sale runs all day

WEDNESDAY, May 13
9 a.m. - Hikers who have volunteered to work are welcome to sign in, pick up arm band at entry, set up tents in Campground and report to supervisor for assignments.

9:30 a.m. - Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club will lead a 2.5-mile AT wildflower stroll. Bring camera, walking sticks, lunch, water and rain gear. Register by 6 p.m., May 12, at (276) 475-3709, or email

2-4 p.m. - “Wilderness Profiles” films shown by Robert Croyle at First Baptist Church Sanctuary, including “Great Smoky Mountains Nat’l Park,” “At the Forefront of American Conservation,” “Recovery of a Species/The Red Wolf” and “Mosaic of Diversity/Olympic Nat’l Park.”

2:30 p.m. - Damascus Senior Center Band will perform at Rock School Auditorium

4 p.m. - George Kelley of Virginia Creeper Trail Club will lead a wildflower stroll from Straight Branch Parking Lot to Bridge 24 with return by way of AT. Bring camera, walking sticks, water and rain gear. Register by 6 p.m., May 12, at (276) 475-3709, or email

7 p.m. - “Hiker Service” under tents in First Baptist Church parking lot. Bobby Jon Drinkard from “Survivor:Palau” and “Survivor: Guatemala” will speak.

7-8 p.m. - Local ghost tales told by “The Marble” author Joe Tennis at Rock School Auditorium

9-10pm - “Inca Trail Hike Talk” by Ezra Colon and Mike Ostroski in Rock School Auditorium

THURSDAY, May 14
10 a.m. - Free Shuttles: Pick up at U.S. 11 and I-81 (mile 534 of AT). Sign-up is required at

2:30 p.m. - Free eating contests under tents in First Baptist Church parking lot. Sign-up starts
at 2 p.m. Prizes awarded

3-5 p.m. - “Wilderness Profiles” films shown by Robert Croyle in First Baptist Church Sanctuary, including “Gates of the Arctic Nat’l Park/Alaskan Brooks Range” and “Wilderness & Spirit/A Mt. Called Katahdin.”

5:30 p.m. - Dog Show conducted by VCA Highlands Animal Hospital. Held at basketball court on Wilson Street

7 p.m. - “The Boones Creek Bard: Leon Overbay” will entertain all ages with Appalachian stories, southern humor and cowboy poetry at the Damascus Public Library. Refreshments served.

7:30 p.m. - “Wilderness Profiles” film shown by Robert Croyle in First Baptist Church Sanctuary.

9-10 p.m. - “Through Hiking the Appalachian Trail in a Year and 23 Days! The story of Cesar and Maud’s four-season commute from Maine to Georgia” by cesar a. becera from planetcesar.com at Rock School Auditorium

FRIDAY, May 15
9-10 a.m. - “Ultra Light: Then and Now” by Paul Fitzner of Etowah Outfitters at Rock School Auditorium

9-10 a.m.  - “The Joys of Backpacking as a Couple,” slides and talk by Randy Motz (Windtalker) and Georgia Harris (Mom) at the Youth Center

9-11 a.m. - Paralee Dawson, Appalachian Trail long-distance hiker, will sign her book “Living a Dream” at Mt. Rogers Outfitters.

9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. - Author Johnny Molloy will sign his handbooks at Mt. Rogers Outfitters, Laurel Avenue

10 a.m.-noon - “Health of Hiker Dogs,” with free exams by Dr. John Roberts at campground.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. - Bloodmobile will be near caboose

10 a.m.-9 p.m. “Footpath: a Photographic Journey on the Appalachian Trail” by Sarah ‘Harvest’ Jones at Old Hosiery Mill across from campground

10:30-noon - “World Walk for Diabetes: Key West to Kansas” by cesar a. becera from planetcesar.com at Youth Center

10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. - Gene Espy will sign his book “The Trail of My Life” at Mt. Rogers Outfitters, Laurel Ave.

11 a.m.-Noon - ALDHA Hiker Hangout/Reception, a social hour with refreshments for long distance hikers, section hikers, weekend hikers, dreamers of hiking, hiker friends and supporters at Rock School Auditorium

Noon-5 p.m. - Book Sale by Friends of the Library; wide Selection of children’s and adult’s new and used books, movies, audio books, magazines and more at the Damascus Library

12:30-2 p.m. - “Thru-hike of the Florida Trail: America’s Most Unusual Long Trail Experience,” talk/slideshow, by author Johnny Molloy, at the Youth Center

1-3 p.m. - J.R. “Model-T” Tate will sign “Walkin’ on the Happy Side of Misery” and “Walkin’ With the Ghost Whisperers: Lore and Legends of the Appalachian Trail” at Mt. Rogers Outfitters

2:15-5 p.m. - Author Johnny Molloy will sign his books at Mt. Rogers Outfitters

2:30-4:30 p.m. - “The American Discovery Trail Film” by Mike “Lion King” Daniel at the Youth Center

3-4:15 p.m. - “Appalachian Trail Jeopardy” cohosted by Laurie Potteiger and Warren Doyle (Anyone with a love for the AT could win) at Rock School Auditorium

3-5 p.m. - “Wilderness Profiles” films shown by Robert Croyle at First Baptist Church Sanctuary, including “Remembered Earth/The New Mexico High Desert,” “Arctic Dance/The Mardy Murie Story” and excerpts from “Wilderness & Spirit/A Mt. called Katahdin”

4 p.m. - Damascus Senior Band will perform at gazebo

5-6:30 p.m. - “Last 180 Miles of AT in Maine,” slides and commentary by Roger Peake at Youth Center

5-9 p.m. - Opening reception for “Footpath: a Photographic Journey on the Appalachian Trail” by Sarah “Harvest” Jones at Old Hosiery Mill across from Campground

5:30 p.m. - Fast Train performs at gazebo

6:30-8:30 p.m. “Walking the Great Divide: A Journey Along the Continental Divide Trail,” by Flagler Films (soon to be seen on PBS) at the Youth Center

7-8:30 p.m. - “Circle of Dreams,” video documentary of the 1990 AT Circle Expedition hosted by Warren Doyle at Damascus Methodist Church

7-10 p.m. - Free Coffee House at First Baptist Church parking lot: power point slide show of the journey; finger food, coffee, tea, music and open microphone

7:30-8:30 p.m. - “Trudy the Trail Terrier,” presentation of the Miniature Schnauzer who became the smallest dog to have hiked the Appalachian Trail by cesar a. becera of planetcesar.com at Rock School Auditorium

8 p.m. - Fescue will perform bluegrass at gazebo

8:30-10 p.m. - “The Appalachian Trail” (slide/music show) by Warren Doyle at Damascus Methodist Church

9-10 p.m. - “Tales from the Trail” by Paul Sheehan at Rock School Auditorium

SATURDAY, May 16
6 a.m.-6 p.m. - Trout Rodeo, signup $15/day or $27.50/both days. Prizes awarded.

9 a.m. - “9th Annual Creeper Trail Fun Ride,” conducted by Boy Scout Troop No. 117. Pre-registration fee is $12; day of ride $14. Includes bike shuttle to Whitetop. Questions? Call (276) 465-3876.

9-10 a.m. - Gene Espy, second AT thru-hiker, will present details of that hike at Rock School Auditorium

9-10 a.m. “Giving to the Trail: The Role of the Volunteer” by Joe DeLoach at Damascus Town Hall

9-10:30 a.m. “Last 180 Miles of AT in Maine,” slides and commentary by Roger Peake at Youth Center

9-11 a.m. - Paralee Dawson, Appalachian Trail long-distance hiker, will sign her book, “Living a Dream,” at Mt. Rogers Outfitters.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. - Author Joe Tennis signs local history books featuring Appalachian Trail at Apple Tree Bed-and-Breakfast, Laurel Ave.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Book Sale by Friends of the Library; wide selection of children’s and adult’s books, movies, audio books, magazines and more at the Damascus Library

9:15-10 a.m. - Windtalker performs Native American flute music on stage of Mt. Rogers Outfitters Hostel.

10 am-noon - J.R. “Model-T” Tate will sign “Walkin’ on the Happy Side of Misery” and “Walkin’ With the Ghost Whisperers: Lore and Legends of the Appalachian Trail” at Mt. Rogers Outfitters.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Whittling Club: watch, listen and learn from local artists at the Damascus Library

10 a.m.-9 p.m. - “Footpath: a Photographic Journey on the Appalachian Trail” by Sarah ‘Harvest’ Jones at Old Hosiery Mill across from Campground

10:30 a.m.-noon - Gene Espy will sign his book “The Trail of My Life” at Mt. Rogers Outfitters

10:30-11:45 a.m. “Hiking Smarter, Not Harder: a different way to view long distance meanderings!” by cesar a. becera of planetcesar.com at Town Hall

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Alumni of Damascus High School Reunion at Rock School Auditorium

10:30 a.m.-noon - “Windtalker” and “Mom” will sign their new book “Solemates: Lessons on Life, Love & Marriage from the Appalachian Trail” at Mt. Rogers Outfitters

11 a.m.-noon - “Tough Trekking on the AT in New Hampshire and Maine.” slide show and digital presentation by Judith Foster and Len Toledo at Youth Center

12:15-1:00 p.m. - Showing film “Together in Time,” learn about Contra Dance and its history with Bunny Medeiros at Town Hall. Free passes to the evening Contra Dance will be handed out to Damascus youth during the presentation

12:15-1:15 p.m. - “Hiking North Carolina’s Lookout Towers,” slides and talk by Peter Barr at the Youth Center

2 p.m. - Hiker Parade, with Parade Marshall Gene Espy, second AT thru-hiker

3 p.m. - Auction to benefit Hiker Hostel, The Place, Russell McBride, auctioneer at Gazebo

3-4 p.m. - Local ghost tales told by author Joe Tennis at Rock School Auditorium

3-5 p.m. - Gene Espy will sign his book “The Trail of My Life” at Mt. Rogers Outfitters

3-5 p.m. - “Wilderness Profiles” films shown by Robert Croyle in First Baptist Church Sanctuary

3:45 p.m. - Recognition of the AT Maintaining Clubs at gazebo

4-5:30 p.m. - Hiker Talent Show at gazebo

4:30-5:30 p.m. - “Appalachian Trail 57-day Women’s Endurance Record,” a slide program by Jennifer Pharr Davis in the Youth Center

4:30-6 p.m. - “30,000 Miles of Trail Stories” by Warren Doyle at Rock School Auditorium

5-9 p.m. - Reception for “Footpath: a Photographic Journey on the Appalachian Trail” by Sarah “Harvest” Jones at Old Hosiery Mill across from Campground

6 p.m. - Rhythm Brewers perform at gazebo

7-10:30 p.m. - Contra Dance: Beginners workshop by Terry and Warren Doyle at Rock School Auditorium, followed by dance at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $5 (or $2 for 2009 Thru-hikers). Music by Dot Dot Dash, Callers Terry and Warren Doyle teach each dance before the music begins at Rock School Auditorium

8 p.m. - Kelley Nelson Band performs at gazebo.

SUNDAY, May 17
6 a.m.-6 p.m. - Trout Rodeo, signup $15/day

9 a.m.-noon - worship services at gazebo (with rain locations at Laurel Avenue Church of Christ; Damascus Presbyterian Church; and First Baptist Church

10 a.m.-2 p.m. - “Footpath: a Photographic Journey on the Appalachian Trail” by Sarah Jones at Old Hosiery Mill across from Campground

1 p.m. - Acoustic Nomadz performs at gazebo

1 p.m. - free shuttles, northbound and southbound, leaving from First Baptist Parking lot.  Sign-up required on the web or at any scheduled event at First Baptist Church