5 Reasons We Can’t Wait for the 2018 LOCKN’ Festival

August 17, 2018

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 sixth 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!

At the center of the LOCKN’ festival is the incredible lineup of music artists. We’re particularly pumped to see TWO NIGHTS of Dead & Co. (their last shows of the summer!), George Clinton and P-Funk, and late-night favorite Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. We’ll have our scoops of Cherry Garcia at the ready!
Item number 2
Cool Off and Take Action

This year’s Participation Row will take place inside a gigantic tent, perfect for cooling off from the summer heat while you take action on some of your favorite issues. Over 15 amazing non-profits will be inside, offering up 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, combat air pollution, contribute to a food drive for locals in need, become an organ donor, and even support local pets in need. And as a big ‘thank you’ for your participation, we’ll be scooping free Ben & Jerry’s throughout the festival!
Item number 3
A Grateful Revival

For lovers of Jerry's band, LOCKN' will be the place to be this summer. Did we mention TWO NIGHTS of Dead & Co. headlining and JRAD taking us into the evening hours? Add to that the amazing combinations of talent that large festivals bring, and there are sure to be memorable surprise Dead Head moments throughout LOCKN’.
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 tons vendors serving food, drinks, snacks, and desserts, the lineup of eats at LOCKN’ is just as impressive as the music lineup. Is there anything better than a nitro cold brew to kickstart your day? Maybe a nitro cold brew topped off with a scoop of your favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor!
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!

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. RSVP here to let your friends know you’ll be there!