Virginia is for MUSIC lovers!

Virginia hosts a variety of summer festivals that are TOP on my list!!

If you have never ventured to this green mountain state, some of the best ways to check out the Summer in Virginia is to attend one of its many music festivals.

The locals say, “Virginia is for music lovers” and the live music scene is robust and vibrant.

Charlottesville, Virginia Beach and in the Capital city, Richmond on any given night there are amazing live performances for your listening pleasure. The Virginia Board of Tourism has an entire website dedicated to all of the festivals and live music in VA.

This blog is all about my favorite CAMPING FESTIVAL in Virginia:

LOCKN’ Festival – August 22 – 25

If you have never been or are just planning to visit again, hopefully, this blog will give a few tips so you don’t miss anything at Virginia’s BEST! I have been counting it down all year! Official Website

The line up is Absolutely STELLAR and STAR PACKED!

For me every year this festival is all about my once-in-a-lifetime chance to get to see the legends that I have sung along with since childhood and the chance to see some of the most smoking hot musicians currently in the music industry on any stage. I mean seriously, y’all, just look at the hours of pure unadulterated listening bliss!

Yes, it is HOT in August in Virginia. Yes, it is Summer camping with no AC, well, unless you are in VIP and/or have an RV. But you should really suck it up buttercup and think about that cool breeze in those mountains and the music that NEVER STOPS!

Out of all of the festivals that I have been to, this one is SO worth it and I highly recommend it to music lovers of all ages and families. This little party in the rolling hills of Nelson County will not disappoint, it is the optimal festival experience and this year will be no exception! There is no one act that I cannot wait to see!

I mean what a line up: I can’t mention everyone, but: Joe Russo’s! If you have not seen them, don’t let anyone one tell you they are just another Dead cover band – these guys know how to play the blues! Edie Brickell, Pigeon’s Playing Ping Pong! Old Crow! The Revivalist! Trey A & DEREK TRUCKS, what! And that’s just day two!

We have big names like Bob Weir and Oteil, the Wolf Bros, John Popper, Keller Williams, David Shaw – just to highlight a few! Tedeschi Trucks Band! Marcus King (aka. the guitar slayer (such an amazing player)!) Soulive, Nahko & MFP. So many amazing moments of live music coming up!

This festival is known for its SUPPER jammy collaborations and once-in-a-life-time performances that have kept me going back year after year. It is also a blend of world-class music, local vendors, and community engagement.

You still have time –

You can still buy that ticket and take the ride. You won’t regret it this festival experience.

I really like the fact that you can buy single-day show and camping or parking passes, so if you can’t camp out all weekend then you can still get out to the mountains for just a few days. There are all kinds of options to get there and day parking.

If you are packing or just started, I created a downloadable/printable PDF Camp Planning Checklist for everyone as you are getting your gear together.

If you are still looking for festival camp ideas, check out my other blogs and website for two-day shipping on some of that last-minute camp gear or plastic bag.

Most festivals I have been to this Summer have had a pretty strict bag policy these days and you should make sure you pay attention to the measurements of the bags and what types of fabrics they will allow for LOCKN’ too! Just like several other festivals that I went to this Summer would only allow see-through or plastic bags over a certain size. The info from the LOCKN’ site is as follows:

New Rules this year: Backpacks and large bags are prohibited in the Show Field.

Bag policy:

Empty hydration packs that are less than 5” deep are permitted. No “cargo-carrying” hydration packs.
Bags smaller than 8” x 11” x 5” are allowed
Fanny packs are allowed
Any bags larger than 8” x 11” x 5” must be clear or mesh and have no more than a single pocket
All bags will be searched upon entering the venue.

Other Prohibited items can be found on this list on the LOCKN’ site here.

Top 5 things that make LOCKN the BEST!

Headcount’s Participation Row

1. HeadCount’s Participation Row!

This is the section of the festival that you do not want to miss!

The amazing team at Headcount organize the Participation Row which features non-profit organizations that are creating the change they want to see with grassroots promotion and the hard work of dedicated volunteers. Headcount.org

At Participation Row, festival-goers can REGISTER TO VOTE, do good and take positive action for multiple non-profits. Participation row has helped raised thousands of dollars for local nonprofits and allows people to engage with their community and make positive change. At this year’s LOCKN there will be free Ben & Jerry’s, a drawing for a signed D’Angelico guitar, and a silent auction to raise funds for participating charities. Over the years, the LOCKN family has taken over 25,000 actions and donated more than $435,000 to charities on Participation Row. So you must not miss the excitement! WIN a signed D’Angelico guitar

Be sure and check out the ROW!

There will be free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to help you cool off and all kinds of amazing things to learn about the missions of the participating non-profit organizations like Advocates of Change, Conscious Alliance, Virginia Industrial Hemp Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, Owsley Stanley Foundation, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic – just to name a few!

Stop by check out the autographed guitars and PARTICIPATE!

Who knows you might be going home with that signed D’Angelico guitar!

The Silent Auction ends on Sunday just before sunset and some lucky winner and buyer take home autographed posters and D’Angelico guitars!

They also have Conscious Alliance back at HeadCount’s Participation Row! Donate 20 non-perishable food items to their Art That Feeds Food Drive to receive this limited edition poster by Half Hazard Press (while supplies last). All food donations benefit the local Nelson County Pantry. Donate 20 non-perishable food items to their Art That Feeds Food Drive to receive this limited edition poster

2. Garcia’s Forest –

So after a day of festivaling if you are still vertical you might take a long walk into the woods where you will find Garcia’s Forest and though the walk is long, down a dirty and dusty road, what you find there will excite your senses, body, and mind! Lockn’s Garcia’s Forest

This year the line up includes some day performances as well as some amazing late-night performances and a dance party you won’t want to miss! Garcia’s Forest Line up

Rounding out the new additions is the Garcia’s Forest, a late-night dance party featuring endless good vibes and a kaleidoscope of energy. While the music of Jerry Garcia flows through the trees, the magic of the Garcia’s Forest will come alive.

3. The FOOD!

Somewhere in the middle of LOCKN’ there is my favorite food shelter at the festival. It is the Virginia LOCAL vendors who take my money and nourish my soul while I am enjoying the festival field. You definitely want to hold off until you find it, however, there are so many other good options for food at this festival you may be tempted to grab the first thing you pass and we are not talking just fried and on a stick. LOCKN’ has curated a great selection of food vendors to satisfy any diet or craving.

Here is the entire list

4. The Vendors –

If you are a fan of HEADY merch, beautiful handcrafted wares, jewelry, clothes from world-class, local vendors you will find it all at the participating vendor booths.

See the full list here:

Shopn at LOCKN’>

5. The beautiful surroundings!

Any time you have the opportunity to sleep under the stars out near the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is a real treat! When you add a musical line-up that includes so many acts that I am having serious FOMO because I just don’t know how I can DO and SEE it all. You really have something special.

LOCKN’ sort of reminds me of those first few Bonnaroo – that same wonderful feeling, where the vibe is kind and the people on the farm are all family. There is never a shortage of positive energy and friendly flowing vibes to remind you of how people really are when they are happy. The only exception is the Virginia mountains.

Did you know you can bring your bike to LOCKN’! YES! If you can handle going up hills. You can’t take them into the concert field, but you can ride them to and from and around the campgrounds. There are also some of the best private trails in Virginia. Trails are open 10am – 6pm on Thursday and 8am-6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There are all kinds of fun campground activities, including WaterLOCKN, and Yoga in the Forest.

Learn more here>Virginia is for MUSIC LOVERS official site

There you have it the 5 reasons LOCKN’ is my favorite Summer music festival in Virginia!

Since Woodstock, for 50 years music festivals have captured our spirits, lifted our hopes and have given us a glimpse at humanity at their best. I hope to see you on the FARM!

~Wren

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(Saturday Aug 17, Sunday Aug 18, 2019 – Stream Woodstock as it was here! 2:00pm EDT Joe Cocker)

Virginia is for MUSIC lovers!