Rooster Walk 7 features roots rock lineup, new home in Henry County
The seventh Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival will feature its strongest band lineup yet, headlined by Yonder Mountain String Band and Lake Street Dive. Toss in on-site camping and a wide variety of arts, crafts, and kids activities at a brand new festival venue, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a Memorial Day weekend to remember.
Rooster Walk 7 will take place May 21-24 at the nonprofit’s new home, dubbed “Pop’s Farm,” in Axton, Va., just outside the city limits of Martinsville. The festival, which raises money for a scholarship fund as well as a band instrument program at local public schools, will be headlined by Yonder Mountain String Band and Lake Street Dive, as well as sets from the Steep Canyon Rangers, Donna the Buffalo and Southern Culture on the Skids. The venue is roughly 1 hour south of Roanoke and 1 hour north of Greensboro, N.C.
“We couldn’t be more excited about all the great things going on around Rooster Walk 7,” said Johnny Buck, co-founder of Rooster Walk. “The band lineup came together perfectly, and the new venue is just absolutely gorgeous. Both stages are located on the edge of a small lake, and the water is going to serve as a stunning backdrop. It’s going to be a really special weekend.”
Other bands on the lineup include: Particle, Mountain Heart, Yarn (x2), Dangermuffin, The Mantras, BIG Something, People’s Blues of Richmond, Big Daddy Love, Stop Light Observations, The Congress, Mipso, Major & the Monbacks, the Kings of Belmont, After Jack, Jon Stickley Trio, Lizzy Ross, Annabelle’s Curse, Mighty Joshua, the Southern Belles, The Shack Band, Empire Strikes Brass, Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot, Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos, Junto and more.
The festival features two primary stages – cattycornered in front of the small lake – plus a craft beer garden stage located in the midst of a mature pine forest. There will also be a small stage inside the VIP Area and another inside the Kids Area.
In addition to music performed for kids, by kids, the Kids Area will feature a long list of free workshops and activities including a parade, face painting, tie dye workshops and hula-hoop workshops. There will also be a free Teen Dance Party on Saturday night.
Other attractions at the festival include a Healing Arts Area with yoga and massage, a disc golf course and numerous walking/hiking trails on the 150-acre Piedmont foothills property.
The new venue has allowed organizers to nearly double their RV camping spots, while tent and hammock campers will be greeted by extensive full-canopy hardwood forests that provide shade cover all day long.
The festival’s title sponsor is Bassett Furniture, whose company headquarters are also located in Henry County. Other major sponsors include the ValleyStar Credit Union, Taco Bell, Blue Ridge Beverage, The Lester Group, Frith Construction, Martinsville Urgent Care, and Serenity Cabinets.
To learn more about the festival, visit www.roosterwalk.com.
