Hike a Mile for the American Chestnut
at Trail Days Festival in Damascus, Virginia

Trail Days is a festival held each year in May, the weekend after Mothers' Day, in the Appalachian mountain town of Damascus, Virginia.  Trail Days celebrates the Appalachian Trail, the hikers, former hikers, and aspiring hikers who converge there each year. 

The American Chestnut Foundation in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy will be part of this Trail Days, an event that attracts thousands of visitors annually.  TACF will have a display of historical information about the American chestnut as well as information about current efforts to restore the tree to its native range which includes Damascus, Virginia.  Volunteers from TACF’s Virginia chapter will be available to answer questions about the American chestnut and its importance in the region.  Information will also be available to people who want to participate in TACF’s 25th anniversary project, “Hike a Mile for the American Chestnut.”   In an effort to bring awareness to the importance of restoring the American chestnut, hikers and non-hikers alike are invited to walk part of the A.T. and enter the number of miles walked.  The goal is to have the entire A.T. hiked before TACF’s 25th anniversary meeting in Chattanooga, TN.

Visitors to the booth will receive “Hike a Mile for the American Chestnut” stickers, small tokens commemorating TACF’s 25th anniversary and wallet-sized identification cards that will help hikers to distinguish American chestnut trees from other hardwoods in the forest. 

Throughout the weekend, visitors and hikers will be offered the opportunity to join in on short, guided hikes designed to help identify surviving American chestnut trees along the A.T., and on Saturday, TACF will open its Meadowview Research Farms for a tour of the some 40,000 American chestnut trees that are part of its national breeding program.  Dr. Bob Paris will lead the tour, and advance registration at TACF’s booth is recommended since space will be limited.  

To top off the weekend, Damascus Mayor Creed Jones will accept the ceremonial torch at the entrance to the A.T. in honor and recognition of TACF’s 25th anniversary.  There will be a short presentation on American chestnut and all are welcome to attend.  The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Other activities at Damascus Trail Days include music, children's games, an unusual parade, a hikers' talent show, people-watching, bike rides, hikes, workshops, lots of food, and other family-friendly activities... only to name a few.  This makes Trail Days one of the most popular small-town events in the State of Virginia!