GO Fest brings a huge increase in business, large crowds to Roanoke

Roanoke, Va. – The annual GO Outside festival wrapped up this weekend after bringing crowds to downtown Roanoke.

GO Fest featured performances like rock climbing, paddle boarding and BMX. The festival brought a lot of business to downtown restaurants and shops.

“Business was very good this weekend. We were out there all weekend talking to people, meeting people,” said Jake Smith, Assistant Store Manager of Walkabout Outfitters.

Walkabout Outfitters was one of dozens of vendors with their brick-and-mortar store just a few blocks away in Elmwood Park.

“It’s good to be so close for logistical purposes, but also for business, we’ve seen a huge increase in foot traffic. I know we had people here from the minute we opened to the minute we closed,” Smith said.

The Olde Salem Brewing Co. The location in downtown Roanoke has been open for about six months. This year was their first time experiencing GO Fest Downtown.

“It was amazing. We met a lot of new people who were in town for GO Fest. We need to show our product to everyone. It gave us an opportunity to showcase our new location here,” said Cameron Weeks, General Manager of Old Salem Brewing.

Weeks said Olde Salem Brewing Company is looking forward to participating in next year’s GO Fest.