5 Reasons We Can’t Wait for the 2017 LOCKN’ Festival

August 19, 2016

Here at Ben & Jerry’s, we think about just about everything through the lens of Jerry’s mantra: “If it’s not fun, why do it?!” And this is especially important when we plan our summers. After all, summers are meant for frolicking, free-wheelin’ fun, right?

And that’s why we could not be more excited for the LOCKN’ Festival, a 4-day music festival nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains in Arrington, VA.

Now in its fourth year, LOCKN’ was created by a group of enthusiastic music lovers who wanted to provide an ultimate festival experience combining live music, camping, great food and drinks, outdoor recreational activities, and of course, a likeminded community.

Why are we so excited, might you ask? What a coincidence, we’ve made a list of the five things that are getting us psyched for LOCKN’:

Item number 1
The Music!

The star-studded artist lineup has been growing in size and stature ever since the initial lineup announcement. We’re particularly pumped for the latest additions: two Phil Lesh & Friends sets featuring members of Phish, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Gary Clark Jr., Joe Russo, and the Infamous Stringdusters. As always, Phil’s collaborative jam platform has us sitting on the edge of our seats.
Item number 2
A Buffet of Social Action Opportunities.

There will be over 15 amazing non-profits on-site on what’s called Participation Row. It’s a veritable buffet of ways to make the world a better place. We are so excited to join the Row with our friends at HeadCount, who will be registering festival-goers to vote and make their voices heard. What else can you do there? Support cancer patients, encourage land conservation, contribute to a food drive for locals in need, become an organ donor, and even learn how to become a sustainable organic gardener. And as a big ‘thank you’ for your participation, you can enter to win a D’Angelico guitar signed by artists performing at the festival, as well as free Ben & Jerry’s, of course!

@locknfestival x #artthatfeeds Food Drive 8/25-28 in Arrington, VA. Bring 20 food items for this limited ed. poster! pic.twitter.com/eL4stuQjWh
— Conscious Alliance (@ArtThatFeeds) August 11, 2016
Item number 3
Friday Night’s Double-Header: Ween + Phish

Here at LOCKN’, Phish is headlining both Friday and Sunday nights, and on Friday they’re performing immediately after Ween – a band that has long been admired by members of Phish. In fact, when Phish first debuted a cover of Ween’s “Roses Are Free” back in 1997, and then kept it in the setlist rotation ever since, members of Ween have gone on record saying how grateful they are for Phish opening up so many people’s ears to the music of Ween. And it’s always a special treat when Phish plays a festival that’s not their own. So we’re fastening our seat belts for Friday night!
Item number 4
Fueling Up With Fab Food and Drinks!

No festival would be complete without an amazing array of food and drink. LOCKN’ is showing all signs of delivering with over 40 vendors serving food, drinks, snacks, and desserts, the lineup of eats at LOCKN’ is just as impressive as the music lineup.
Item number 5
Awesome Offsite Adventures.

This is something that sets LOCKN’ apart from other festivals, something you won’t find anywhere else: truly amazing offsite adventures, like guided biking and paddling trips. Whether you bring your own bike or rent onsite, there are over 15 miles of beautifully rugged trails surrounding the venue, ready to be demolished. (And if you get a little too wild, there’s a bike repair stop onsite.) Prefer something more relaxing? WaterLOCKN’ offers shuttle service to and from the Tye River where you can swim, float or just drift where the current takes you!

Cool down at #LOCKN by taking a dip in a private swimming hole. Plan a trip w/ @Waterlockn https://t.co/7vDEfcUgko pic.twitter.com/8HmB4EiUpV
— LOCKN' (@locknfestival) August 15, 2016

So, are you ready for LOCKN’? We sure are! We’re all packed and everything. Sleeping bag? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Cameras, phones, and chargers? Check. What are you most excited for? Let us now in the comments below!