Appalachian Trail Days Pre-Festival

Trail Days is the biggest event of the year in Damascus and the world’s largest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and hiker culture! Each year in May, the town swells to an estimated 25,000 people for the festival. You can expect a grand reunion of thru-hikers past and present, over a hundred vendors of handmade goods and some of the best outdoor gear in the industry, a packed schedule of live music and events, and a large crowd of trail supporters and hiking enthusiasts. Trail Days is always the weekend after Mother’s Day. The Town-wide Yard Sale is always the weekend before Trail Days.

Schedule of Events:

At One Way Ministries: OPEN 8:30am to 10pm with drinks, snacks, and charging station.

8:30-4pm: Haircuts (at One Way), Free Showers & Laundry (across the street).

12-4pm: “Porch Picking” on the Front Porch – come and play your favorite instruments!

At First Baptist Church: 8:30am-4pm: Free Showers at the Town Pool (behind First Baptist).

5:30-8pm at One Way Ministries: Hiker Feast. Free tickets are required – get them at Info Tents or One Way.

6-8pm at Laurel Creek Park: Backpacker’s 50th Anniversary Celebration with live music by Into the Fog and a beer garden by The Damascus Brewery. Chance to win great prizes from the Get Outside Tour too!