Archived Outdoors

NOC closes out season with gear crazy GAF

out NOCA weekend featuring games, music, rafting, bike competitions and plenty more will comprise Nantahala Outdoor Center’s annual Guest Appreciation Festival Sept. 25-27.

For kids: Face-painting, crafts, games, button-making, contests and a bouncy house will keep kids entertained all weekend. 

For paddlers: Rafting (and zip-lining too) will be available at a 15 percent discount, and a special release on the Cascades and Upper Nantahala will keep things exciting. A free shuttle will be offered for paddlers.

For gear-a-holics: A large-scale used gear sale will be held all weekend, with people from around the area selling off used outdoor equipment in a flea market style setting, a long-standing tradition of GAF. NOC sells its used equipment, as well, for great deals on brand name gear. Vendor applications are $75 and free for artisans and nonprofits, available online with the schedule.

For music lovers: Performances by The Freight Hoppers, Bayou Diesel Band and the Pioneer Chicken Stand Band will set the soundtrack to the weekend. 

www.noc.com/events/guest-appreciation-festival-gaf.

 

Competition to showcase biker agility

Mountain bikers will have a chance to show their stuff in a bike agility competition set for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Nantahala Outdoor Center. 

The contest requires participants to negotiate at least six sections of natural and man-made obstacles such as rocks, water and automobiles. The goal is to finish fast without letting one’s body touch the ground.

The GAF Bike Trials — the event runs concurrently with NOC’s Guest Appreciation Festival — are open to all ages, with categories for all skill levels. 

$20. Registration is open online at http://bit.ly/1iDbreG through Sept. 23. Onsite registration will be held the day of the event from 9 to 11 a.m. near Big Wesser BBQ at NOC. 

www.noc.com/events/gaf-bike-trials

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