The Steel Wheels
Virginia-based acoustic roots music collective The Steel Wheels have announced the July 12th release of their 7th full-length album, Over The Trees. Recorded in Maine with producer Sam Kassirer, Over The Trees draws attention to the impeccable harmonies of the four original members: Trent Wagler (guitar/banjo), Eric Brubaker (fiddle), Brian Dickel (bass), and Jay Lapp (guitars/mandolin). Kevin Garcia, who plays multiple percussion instruments, keyboard, and mallet-based instruments, formally joined the band after the 2017 release of Wild as We Came Here, which Kassirer also produced. In addition to familiar-to-fans harmonies, The Steel Wheels ventured a little farther out of their known comfort zone for Over The Trees. “This is a bit of an experimental record at times, with new sounds and influences,” Wagler says. “We know where we come from. We are a string band from Virginia, but we are evolving with this album, and we are embracing the future.” [Read More]
The band’s name is a tip of the hat to steam-powered trains, industrial progress and the buggies of their Mennonite lineage. Their musical style weaves through Americana and bluegrass, folk and old-time music, and the acoustic poetry of the finest singer-songwriters.
The Steel Wheels present the seventh annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival on July 12, 13 & 14, 2019, brought to you by Blue Mountain Brewery and WNRN.
Three days, four stages and 40 bands at the beautiful Natural Chimneys Park and Campground in Mt Solon, VA, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.
The 2019 line up includes Lucinda Williams, The Wood Brothers, Mandolin Orange, Peter Rowan’s Carter Stanley’s Eyes, The Tim O’Brien Band, The Gibson Brothers, Della Mae, Charley Crockett, The Lil Smokies, Fruit Bats, River Whyless, Lindsay Lou, Birds of Chicago, Big Daddy Love, Hush Kids, Feufollet, Lonely Heartstring Band, The East Pointers, Sam Reider, Larry Keel, Dead Horses, Lula Wiles, The Hollering Pines, Sean McConnell, Kaia Kater, Fireside Collective, Cedric Burnside, Courtney Hartman, Cedric Watson, Danny Knicely, Kristin Andreassen, Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves, Locust Honey, John R Miller & the Engine Lights, Justin Jones, Jordan Tice, Oliver Craven, The Judy Chops, Corner House, Saw Black, Dogwood Tales, The Wildmans, The Walking Roots Band, The Bright Siders, Ragged Mountain String Band, Dirt Road Sweetheart featuring Nora Jane Struthers, The Fernandez Sisters and more!
The towering limestone chimneys, reaching more than 120′ in the air, provide a spectacular backdrop for you to lounge in the Music Meadow and hear some great music in the great outdoors.
Red Wing focuses on the whole experience: an incredible variety of food, craft vendors, kids activities, camping, swimming, organized bike rides, fun runs and hiking adventures, and much, much more!
Natural Chimneys Park
Located near Mt. Solon in Augusta County, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, Natural Chimneys Park features rock “chimneys” formed from limestone that began to accumulate and harden into stone about 500 million years ago in the Paleozoic Era, when the region was underwater. Over time, enormous upward pressures of magma and widespread geologic upheaval, which created the Appalachian Mountains, combined with erosive forces of water and destroyed weaker layers of stone. Eventually, this created the rock chimneys which can be seen today. The chimneys tower as much as 120 feet above ground level. (Wikipedia)
FRI, JULY 12th
SAT, JULY 13th
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SUN, JULY 14th
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Directions
Please be advised, Google Maps can send you to the wrong location! We are working to fix this, but in the meantime please use these GPS coordinates: 38.355792, -79.086199. You can also search by the address, 94 Natural Chimneys Ln, Mt Solon, VA 22843. If you search for Natural Chimneys Park or click on the marker for Natural Chimneys Park in Google Maps, you will be sent to the wrong location.
From the North or the South:
From Interstate-81, take Exit 240 toward Bridgewater. At the end of the ramp, turn onto VA-257 West/Friedens Church Rd toward Bridgewater and follow for 3.3 miles to stoplight at VA-42/Main St. Turn left at the stoplight and head south on VA-42 for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Mossy Creek Rd (State Rte 613)*. Follow Mossy Creek Rd for 2.4 miles to the 4-way stop sign intersection in Mt Solon. Turn right onto Natural Chimneys Rd (VA-731) and follow for 0.6 miles to the entrance to Natural Chimneys Park, turning right onto Natural Chimneys Lane.
*Large RVs, trailers or buses:
To avoid a hard right hand turn at the 4-way stop sign in Mt Solon, do not turn onto Mossy Creek Rd from VA-42. Instead, continue to follow VA-42 South for another 4.6 miles to a slight right onto VA-731/Moscow Loop. Stay to the right and follow VA-731 (which becomes Natural Chimneys Rd) for 2.5 miles until the 4-way stop sign intersection in Mt Solon. Continue straight through the intersection on Natural Chimneys Rd (VA-731) and follow for 0.6 miles to the entrance to Natural Chimneys Park, turning right onto Natural Chimneys Lane.
Hampton Inn South is our official Red Wing VI hotel sponsor.
The closest hotels are located in Harrisonburg and Staunton, VA, each only about 15 miles away.
Bed & Breakfasts/Inns
There are numerous Inns and B&Bs in the area. Here’s a partial list:
Augusta County
2487 Hankey Mountain Hwy, Churchville 540-337-8660
320 Wayne Ave, Waynesboro 540-943-1910
273 Penmerryl Dr, Greenville 540-337-0622/540-292-0897
956 Spottswood Rd, Steeles Tavern 540-377-2240
1224 Keezletown Rd, Weyers Cave 540-234-8065
28 N. New St, Staunton 540-885-4220
1329 Commerce Rd., Staunton 540-248-4650
191 Chinquapin Dr, Waynesboro 540-943-1991
320 N. New St, Staunton 540-885-8832
260 N. Lewis St, Staunton 540-886-0193
Shenandoah Mountain Inn
434 Shen. Mtn. Dr, West Augusta 540-939-4164
Speckled Trout Bed and Breakfast
607 Oak Ave, Waynesboro 540-946-4899
216 W. Frederick St, Staunton 540-885-6556
Hwy 56, Steeles Tavern 800-377-2197
421 Walnut Ave, Waynesboro 540-949-4484
Rockingham County
491 Garbers Church Rd, Harrisonburg 540-801-0430
51 Horsehead Rd, Grottoes 540-249-3936
412 S. Main St, Harrisonburg 540-434-4464
3448 Caverns Dr, Keezletown 540-269-8800
882 Bloomer Springs Rd., McGaheysville 540-289-5402
1331 Silver Lake Rd, Dayton 540-879-2717
547 E. Market St, Harrisonburg 540-433-8233
Festival Guidelines
We are committed to fostering a relaxed atmosphere, but there are certain guidelines that must be followed to ensure a safe and fun festival for everyone. Every attendee must abide by the following:
- NO CLIMBING ON THE CHIMNEYS!! Please stay on the designated trail.
- Absolutely NO PETS allowed on the festival grounds, campgrounds or parking lots (licensed ADA assistants excepted). This will be strictly enforced.
- No fireworks, drones, smoke bombs or sky lanterns
- No drum circles or amplified music from 11pm – 11am
- No outside alcohol permitted. Coolers and bags will be checked. (Augusta County Park Rules) Beer garden brought to you by Blue Mountain Brewery provided with beer, wine and cider available*
- No unauthorized vending – if you’re not a registered vendor you may not sell or distribute anything on the festival grounds
- Audience and radio taping only (no soundboard patches), except when prohibited by performing artist.
- No video recording of any performances
- No motorized vehicles (golf carts, ATVs)
- Do not remove your festival admission bracelet. It cannot be replaced and you will be denied entry
- No weapons or firearms
On the Music Meadow
(The main viewing areas of Shenandoah Mountain Stage and Blue Ridge Timberwrights Stage)
- No aluminum cans or glass bottles in the meadow. Reusable drinking bottles/cups allowed. Disposable plastic water bottles discouraged.
- For safety reasons, no Frisbee throwing in the music meadow
- All personal possessions must be removed from the music meadow after each night’s performance
- Lawn chairs & blankets allowed only in designated areas (wheelchairs exempted)
- Coolers allowed only in designated chair areas
- Camp chairs with built-in shade awnings and other sun-blocking apparatus that does not obstruct the view of other festival-goers are allowed
- No pop-up tents are allowed anywhere on festival grounds, other than campgrounds
- No large umbrellas allowed on the music meadow (sun or rain)
Enjoy the relaxed festival atmosphere, but be proactive about the security of your belongings. Leave your campground overtly empty. Don’t bring what you cannot afford to lose and be sure to look after one another. Our community is not possible without your participation!
Festival goers must abide by all local, state, and federal laws. NO ALCOHOL OR DRUG SALES tolerated anywhere on the festival site or annexed properties. Anyone caught selling or distributing illicit substances will immediately have their wristband cut and be ejected from the festival. Further legal repercussions are likely.
We’ll have free water so bring your reusable bottle!
*To partake our delicious craft beer and cider in our Blue Mountain Beer Gardens, you must purchase tickets from booths stationed inside the ABC area. Beer/cider/wine tickets are $6 each, for 16oz beers or 12oz cider servings. In our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, we minimize plastics by only serving drinks in Klean Kanteen stainless steel cups. Purchase one in the garden, or re-use your cup from last year, Rooster Walk, The Festy Experience or FloydFest!
YOU MUST BRING A VALID ID to consume alcohol. (Having grey hair and grandkids are not acceptable forms of ID)
**The festival grounds are wheelchair/handicap accessible, including portable restrooms. A limited number of handicap spaces will be designated in General Admission Parking; a parking pass is still required. If needed, a golf cart ride from main gate to Music Meadow will be provided.
Festival Camping
CHIMNEY RIDGE PICK-YOUR-OWN TENT CAMPING
2 tents and 4 people max per site. Good for 4 nights (Thurs 11am – Mon 10am). This camping area has three zones: 1) Large camping area – pick your own camping spot in the shade of the trees, out in the meadow or tucked in the woods; 2) Drop-off zone so you can drive close to your chosen spot to drop off your gear; and 3) Chimney Ridge Parking lot for vehicles. Personal fires allowed and nearby parking for one vehicle. Once the festival begins on Friday, there will be limited access to drive into Chimney Ridge. Basically, once you’re there, plan to stay! 3-day General Admission tickets are required for all camping guests! NO PETS. Click HERE to learn more about Chimney Ridge Camping.
PREMIUM CAMPING AT NATURAL CHIMNEYS **SOLD OUT
One premium campsite purchase per order. These spacious RV Campsites include electric and water hook-ups and are good for 4 nights (Thursday 11am – Monday 10am). Each site allows one RV/trailer/popup plus two tents (or if no RV, four tents total) and parking for up to two additional vehicles. A picnic table and fire ring are provided at each site. 12 people max per site. 3-day General Admission tickets are required for all camping guests! NO PETS.
SUPER GROUP PREMIUM CAMPING AT NATURAL CHIMNEYS Put a group of friends and family together to buy this package and enjoy a few extra perks as well! **SOLD OUT
- Price is $2,500 (A limited number of sites available.)
- 1 Premium RV site with room for tents and parking for 2 vehicles
- 12 3-day General Admission passes
- 1 extra General Admission Parking pass
- 1 signed festival poster by The Steel Wheels
- $50 gift certificate for RWR festival merch
Super Group includes 1 premium campsite purchase per order. These spacious RV Campsites include electric and water hook-ups and are good for 4 nights (Thursday 11am – Monday 10am). Each site allows one RV/trailer/popup plus two tents (or if no RV, four tents total) and parking for up to two additional vehicles. A picnic table and fire ring are provided at each site. 12 people max per site. 3-day General Admission tickets are required for all camping guests! NO PETS.
Z LOT Dry-RV CAMPING **SOLD OUT
6 person max per site and one car. Good for 4 nights (Thurs, 1pm – Mon, 10am). Only a 3 minute walk from the Music Meadow, drive into the field and park your RV or camper. No hook ups for electricity or water and no fires. You may bring quiet, clean generators for your RV. Once the festival begins on Friday, there will be limited access to drive into Z Lot. Basically, once you’re in Z Lot, plan to stay! 3-day General Admission tickets are required for all camping guests! You do not need to reserve a specific spot, your plot will be assigned when you arrive at the festival. NO PETS. ONE VEHICLE LIMIT PER SITE.
CHIMNEY RIDGE PARK-N-PITCH CAR CAMPING **SOLD OUT
2 tents, 4 people and 1 car max per site. Good for 4 nights (Thurs 11am – Mon 10am). Similar to Z Lot Tent Camping, when you arrive Red Wing campground staff will assign you a site where you can pitch your tent beside your vehicle. You will have approximately a 20′ x 20′ area next to your vehicle for your set up. Fires not allowed on Park-n-Pitch campsites. Once the festival begins on Friday, there will be limited access to drive into Chimney Ridge. Basically, once you’re there, plan to stay! 3-day General Admission tickets are required for all camping guests! NO PETS. Click HERE to learn more about Chimney Ridge Camping.
NO FRILLS TENT CAMPING AT NATURAL CHIMNEYS **SOLD OUT
Good for 3 nights (Fri, 9am – Mon, 10am). You get a nice, flat 15′ X 15′ plot to set up your tent(s), chairs and maybe even a foosball table…as long as it fits, go for it! The sites are nice but it’s not glamping, there are no hook ups for electricity or water. No fires, and most importantly, no cars. Folks camping here must park in the general admission parking lot and walk in with their stuff, so pack smart! And since you will be parked in the GA parking lot, don’t forget to purchase a parking permit for each vehicle (carpooling encouraged). 2 tent and 6 person max per site. NO PETS.
SHOW SHERPA TENT VILLAGE **SOLD OUT
The Show Sherpa brings The Sherpa Village, a pre-pitched tent rental community, to Red Wing this summer. The Show Sherpa is hassle-free camping at its best. They do all the heavy lifting; you just focus on the fun! Located in the Chimney Ridge Camping area, The Sherpa Village is outfitted with large cabin style Eureka tents with almost seven feet of headroom and 100 square feet of space. No tiny dome tents here! 2-Person packages available. In addition to the tents, packages include comfy Eureka camping cots, a lantern and camping chairs as well as all Sherpa Village amenities featuring FREE COFFEE, a daily complimentary bag of ice, and a large shade canopy filled with plenty of comfortable chairs for relaxing between performances. There is also a full camp kitchen with a large gas grill, expedition stoves, as well as, all the pots, pans & utensils you need to make a great meal in order to refuel for more dancin’. Limited amount of tents available and they will go fast. One car per site. Click here to purchase camping with The Show Sherpa.
LOCAL CAMPGROUNDS
Stokesville Campground (464 Stokesville Rd, Mount Solon, VA) Located just four miles away from the festival, Stokesville offers spectacular views, lots of room to spread out and exclusive use of the Stokesville Bridge swimming hole. This mountain edge campground also includes amazing hiking and mountain biking trails. Note: This year Stokesville will be privately run by Stokesville Campground and Lodge and will not be providing a shuttle service to the festival.
Shenandoah Valley Campground is the only campground in Virginia with a spectacular waterfall and four 6-person indoor hot tubs. They offer free Wi-Fi, river tubing, wading, and trout/bass fishing in the river as well as their well-stocked weed free lake. They have a huge pool and a kiddie pool, 18 Hole mini-golf, game room and two playgrounds.
Sherando Lake Recreation Area’s Family Campground provides an ideal camping destination. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s known locally as the jewel of the mountains, where visitors enjoy hiking, fishing, swimming and relaxing on the sandy beach. Click for Sherando Lake campsite registration.
North River Campground This open area campground was originally constructed as a CCC camp. Evidence of the original sites and logging trails still remain today. North River Gorge is a popular hiking, biking, and fishing area with a swinging bridge spanning the North River. Close proximity to Wild Oak National Recreation Trail, Staunton Dam Day Use Area and Elkhorn Lake provide multiple recreational options that are easily accessible within a few miles. Campsites cannot be reserved in advance. First come, first serve. Sites are primitive, but vault toilets are located on-site. No drinking water provided.
Camping fee is $5 per site, per night. Operated by North River Ranger District: 540-432-0187
Todd Lake Recreation Area Located in Augusta County, visitors to Todd Lake Recreation Area enjoy a historic campground complete with universally accessible beach. A volleyball court, horseshoe pits, children’s playground and an onsite campground host make this location an ideal place to spend a relaxing summer afternoon. Explore multiple trails from this location popular amongst mountain biking, backpacking, and hiking enthusiasts. Sites are $16.
We are proud to host Red Wing Roots Music Festival as a family-friendly experience. Rest assured, kids AND parents are going to have a great time!
Over in the Shady Grove area you’ll find a whole pile of games and activities for kids and families. Plus…Over on the Kinfolk Stage, you’ll always find great music, dancing and awesome presentations!
SHADY GROVE:
Thanks to sponsorship from Venture Builders, we have a collaborative mural to paint, tie-dye workshops on Saturday and Sunday, a mist pavilion, outdoor games, and a rock climbing wall. Plus you’ll find a slackline zone, an instrument petting zoo run by The Front Porch, and a toddler/parent zone run by the fine folks at Our Little Planets. We also have our friends from KINGDOMS Lawn Games showing us how to play this competitive family-friendly game that combines elements of fantasy with a new variant of bowling.