Get Out Fest Brings the Outdoors and Families Together
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts in northeast Washington have announced a new festival scheduled for the last weekend in June.
Organizers of the Get Out Fest say the weekend-long event aims to highlight the abundance of free family-friendly outdoor recreation opportunities that the area has to offer.
Base camp, located at the Ferry County Fairgrounds, will be a hub of information, food and fun from which visitors can head out for a variety of outdoor adventures.
Emily Burt and Bobby Whittaker are the co-founders of the community-led effort and plan to have some scheduled events that will be hosted by area clubs.
“Our community has spent almost a decade developing the 30-mile rail trail and it’s high time we host a summer event,” said Whittaker, who is also the president of the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners.
Photo by David Moskowitz
Since this is the first year the event is taking place, the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition (NEWFC) wanted to be a sponsor along with Vaagen Brothers Lumber and Ferry County Rail Trail Partners.
"This year the Colville National Forest set the record for forest restoration in the US. It's so great so see our local forest set that bar so high.” said Whittaker. “Now it's time to knock it out of the park and utilize its abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. NEWFC's collaboration with Get Out Fest is a big step in that direction.”
Several area clubs plan to participate in group-led events that people can sign up for. Events include a fun run on the rail trail and a mountain bike ride and hike on the nearby Kettle Crest Trail, part of the congressionally recognized Pacific Northwest Trail.
There will also be a fishing derby hosted by the Curlew Lake Association with cash prizes.
"One of the wonderful things about Ferry County is the abundance of public land and the chance to get outside," said Burt, who with her husband Billy Burt owns the Republic Brewing Company.
"The movies, music, food and camping at the fairgrounds are just icing on the cake and a great way to bring everyone together at the end of a fun day of adventure,” she said.
Get Out Festival is scheduled for June 28 and 29. They are still accepting volunteer sign-ups, donations and business sponsors to help make the event a success.
More information and updates can be found at getoutfest.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/ferrycountygetoutfest.
Photo by Dan Wilson