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Mega Walking Events
and Festivals
Big Walking Event Directory
Looking for a
great walking vacation or a weekend getaway? Want to go to the biggest and
best events the clubs of the American Volkssport Association can produce?
The events listed are traditionally annual ones with multiple events, and most
of the time, opportunities for socializing with fellow walkers. Explore the
possibilities below and catch the Spirit of Walking.
In using this
Directory recognize that event information sometimes changes. We therefore
suggest a call to the event contact before firming up your
schedule.
January
Event Name: SAVANNAH Multi Event Extravaganza
When: 2010 (Held every other year in even years.)
Where: Savannah, Georgia
Event Website:
http://www.happywanderersfl.org
Articles and Local Information: Savannah
Visitors Bureau
Southeast for Visitors
Contact Persons: Marvin Stokes 386-788-4026
marvst717@cfl.rr.com
or Ken Hogwood 386-761-3466 kbh6452@aol.com
Hints: 13 events with 11 running continuously over the weekend and 1
event Saturday only and 1 event Monday only (9 walks, 1 bike, 3 swims) wonderful
social and wonderful people.
February
Event Name: Floribama or Florabama
When: President's Day Weekend every other year (odd years when Savannah
event is not held)
Where: Perdido Key, FL and Gulf Shores, AL
Event Website:
Pensacola Club
Georgia and Alabama Clubs
Past Event Website:
Articles and Local Information:
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Perdido
Key State Park, Florida
Contact Person:
Hints: These events are very close to each other. Most enjoy
doing the Florida AND the Alabama events, socializing and having a
fantastic long weekend.
Event Name: Bald Eagle Festival
When: February Annually
Where: Concrete, WA
Event Website:
NW Tulip Trekkers
Past Event Website:
Articles and Local Information:
Bald
Eagle Festival
Contact Person: John or Gail
Bogs
Hints: Bald Eagle Festival Weekend. Come for a weekend of
Fun, Fitness, Friendship & Food
March
Event Name: Daffodil Festival
When: Annually, a weekend in March during the Amity, OR Daffodil
Festival
Where: Amity, OR
Event Website:
http://www.mactrackers.org
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
Festival Website and VolksWalk
Info
Contact Persons: Janet Chow
walking@mactrackers.org
Hints: Stay afterward and enjoy the marvelous hot lunch
served in the school cafeteria by local townspeople.
Event Name: Du Pont Washington Walk and Bike Extravaganza
When: Annually in March
Where: Du Pont, Washington
Event Website:
http://www.theoverthehillgang.net/
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
City of DuPont
Contact Persons: Diane Wagner,
dianeswagner@comcast.net
Hints: Bring your bike too! This event has walk and bike
events. It is very well attended.
April
Event Name: Tri-State
When: Annually, first weekend of April
Where: Laughlin, NV - Walks in AZ, NV and CA
Event Website:
Las Vegas High Rollers and Strollers Website
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
Chamber of Commerce
Walking in Las Vegas
Contact Person:
John
Oszajca - lvhrs1985@yahoo.com
(702)-292-3407
Hints: If you enjoy views of the Colorado River,
gambling and inexpensive hotels and restaurants, consider attending the
Tri-State events.
Event Name: Vancouver Discovery Walk Festival
When: Annually in April
Where: Vancouver, WA
Event Website:
http://discoverywalk.org/
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
Discovery Walk Review and Photos
Contact Persons: mailto:info@discoverywalk.org
Hints: This is a major event. It is sanctioned by both the
IVV and IML Walking Association. Consider attending all the festivities. Enjoy this city
right across the Columbia River from Portland, OR.
May
Event Name: Canadian Convention
When: Annually, in May
Where: The Canadian Volkssport Federation event is in a
different province each time.
Event Website:
Past Event Website:
http://www.walks.ca/
Articles and Local Information: None
Contact Persons:
http://www.walks.ca/CVFcontacts.html
Hints: The Canadian Convention travels from province to
province. Attendees have a great time. Open to all.
Event Name: CVA State Meeting
When: Annually, usually the first weekend in May
Where: As announced. California
Event Website:
http://www.californiavolkssportassociation.org/
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information: None
Contact Persons:
Hints: Always a nice time with nice people. See California
on foot!
June
Event Name: Crazy Horse
When: Traditionally, annually on the first weekend of June.
Where: In the Black Hills of South Dakota on US Highway
16/385 just 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore.
Event Website:
http://www.crazyhorse.org/
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information: Same
Contact Persons: Black
Hills Volkssport Association or
John Moranti -
e-mail of
jmoranti@rap.midco.net
phone number
605-342-6188
Hints: Climb Crazy Horse Mountain and see progress on the
sculpture of Chief Crazy Horse. This has become a "cult" event with
thousands attending!
Event Name: AVA Convention
When: Annually in June every other year on odd years.
Where: Varies. 2009 location is Richardson, TX.
Event Website:
http://www.ava.org/clubs/ava2009convention/index.htm
or http://ava.org/
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
Contact Persons:
Hints: Be sure and
watch registration deadlines. You will save money! This is a fantastic
walking convention with many events, motivational speakers, vendor and
exhibit fair, great socials and a wonderful group of avid walkers having
fun together for a week. Open to all.
Event Name: Columbia River Gorge Biennial Classic
When: Traditionally, every other year on even years on Father's
Day weekend.
Where: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon (1 hour outside of
Portland, Oregon)
Event Website:
http://walkingforfun.org/columbiagorge.htm
Past Event Website: None
Club Website:
http://walkingforfun.org
Articles and Local Information:
Columbia River Gorge
Contact Persons:
Club Officers
Hints: For an awesome four days of hikes, walks (and a bike or
two), and the most spectacular scenery you could imagine... and....
fantastic socials, consider attending this event. Dry camping is available
and the club usually blocks out rooms at a local Best Western.
July
Event Name: Northwest Regional Conference
When: Traditionally, every other year on even years. States of the
region rotate the honor.
Where: Varies
Event Website:
http://www.walkoregon.org
Contact Persons: Becky Forsythe
rgforsythe@usa.net
Hints: Always a great
time in the beautiful Northwest.
August
Event Name: Northwest Hiking
Weekend
When: Traditionally, first weekend in August
Where: Washington State
Event Website:
Four Plus Foolhardy Folks Special Event
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
Contact Persons: Jane
Holmes
Hints: A wonderful, challenging weekend.
Event Name: Black Hills Black Jack
When: Last weekend in August
Where: South Dakota
Event Website:
Black Hills Volkssport
Assn.
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
Contact Persons:
BHVAwalker@rap.midco.net
Hints: A wonderful way to see South Dakota
September
Event Name: Mackinac Bridge Walk
When: Labor Day
Where: Start: Mackinac Bridge - North end, St. Ignace,
Distance 10km
Event Website:
Past Event Website:
http://ava.org/gen3/data/events_results.asp?StShortName=MI
Click on Labor Day Bridge Walk.
Articles and Local Information:
http://www.mackinacbridge.org/
Contact Persons: Jim Muma, 618.234.8706
michiganjim@sbcglobal.net
Write for more information to: 1706 Pine, Bellevue, Il 62226-4256
Hints: There are Year Round events in Mackinaw City, St.
Ignace and Mackinaw Island (which has been on the top 10 YRE list for at
least the past 3 years) which could make it a multi-event weekend.
Event Name: Walking Whidbey Island VolksFest, Coupeville Washington, or
Bellingham Volks-fest (alternates years)
When: Annually in early September
Where: Coupeville, Washington and Bellingham, WA
Event Website:
http://www.nwtrekkers.org/
Past Event Website: none
Articles and Local Information:
Contact Person:
Curt and Martha Myron
Hints: They are good at Fun, Fitness, Friendship and Food!
October
Event Name: US FreedomWalk Festival
When: Next-to-last weekend in October
Where: Washington, DC/Arlington, VA
Event Website:
http://www.usfreedomwalk.org/
Articles and Local Information:
Washington D.C. for Visitors
Contact Persons: Tim and
Celia Miner
Hints: With the Reserve Officer's Association and the Office of
the Surgeon General as sponsors and Washington DC as a backdrop to this
walking festival, what a patriotic event! Walk, sightsee and socialize.
A major international walking event! Sanctioned by the IVV and IML
Walking Association.
Event Name: Texas Hiking Weekend
When: Traditionally on Columbus Day Weekend
Where: West Texas
Event Website: http://www.ava.org/clubs/wttw/
Past Event Website: http://www.ava.org/clubs/wttw/
Articles and Local Information:
Contact Persons:
http://www.ava.org/clubs/wttw/Officers.html
Hints: Arrive early for the Friday event and prepare for a
marvelous hiking weekend complete with Saturday social.
November
Event Name: Hershey Walkfest: The Chocolate Town Walk
When: Annually on Thanksgiving Weekend
Where: Hershey, PA
Event Website: None
Past Event Website:
http://www.ava.org/clubs/srvc/HersheyWalkfest.htm
Articles and Local Information:
Contact Persons: Pat Eby at 717-761-1338 or email
SusqRovers@verizon.net
Hints: It is said
that you can smell chocolate as you walk!
December
Event Name: Christmastime in Williamsburg
When: Annually in December
Where: Williamsburg, VA
Event Website:
Peninsula Pathfinders
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
Williamsburg Virginia
Contact Persons:
Hints: Williamsburg is magical at Christmas!
Event Name: New Year's In Seattle
When: December 31st and January 1st Annually
Where: Seattle, WA
Event Website: Emerald City
Wanderers
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information: About
Seattle and Tacoma
Contact Persons: David Madsen -
dmadsen@seattleu.edu 206-789-1960)
Hints: A fun way to ring in the New Year! Enjoy the club's
warm hospitality and the shimmer of the "Emerald City."
Event Name: Annual New Year's Eve Day and New Year's Day Walks
When: December 31st and January 1st Annually
Where: Columbia, Maryland
Event Website: Freestate Happy Wanderers AVA -190
http://www.ava.org/clubs/freestate
Past Event Website: None
Articles and Local Information:
Contact Persons: Linda
Hassell
Hints: A fun way to ring in the New Year! Three Trails, Two
Events each day. Walkers will enjoy a safe, memorable event with the club
providing homemade food, baked goods and a Kids Korner for the young
walkers to enjoy . Children under the age of 12 walk for FREE with IVV
Credit included. Walkers can visit with other walkers the enjoy
Freestate's hospitality. Many YRE's are in the area for you to get a head
start on 2007.
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