Summary

The fifth-annual Refuge Outdoor Festival returns to King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park Aug. 12-14, offering a camping experience focused on expanding participation and access to the great outdoors by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and allies through outdoor recreation workshops, music performances, art exhibitions, and community building.

Story

A camping experience geared toward Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) returns to King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park this summer. The annual Refuge Outdoor Festival, a unique outdoor recreation and community-building experience, takes place Aug. 12-14.

Now in its fifth season, the festival is expected to attract more than 500 attendees for a weekend filled with adventure and community building in the great outdoors.

The festival is a safe space for participants with varying levels of outdoor experience. More than 20 outdoor-focused workshops and activities are planned and will be led by experts and community partners who make the information and experiences accessible for all. Participants can also enjoy community conversations, nightly concerts, art exhibits, an outdoor vendor market, silent disco, and a variety of other entertainment options.

For those staying overnight, an assortment of onsite camping options will be available ranging from primitive sites to glamping accommodations.

“We are excited to have Refuge Fest back at Tolt-MacDonald Campground and to bring the community together again,” said Chevon Powell, festival organizer and founder and managing director of Golden Bricks Events (GBE). “Refuge is not your typical festival or camping experience. We encourage our community to do as much or as little as they’d like, as long as they take a moment of refuge from all the things going on in the world.”

Tickets and detailed festival information are available at refugeoutdoorfestival.com. Full-access festival passes are priced on a sliding scale and limited scholarship tickets are available.

Acknowledging that many participants may not have all the necessary equipment, access to a gear bank and camp kitchen reservations will be provided in partnership with REI and the Washington Trails Association. As with every GBE event, participants can be assured that inclusivity for all remains the focus of the weekend's adventures.

Chris Liu, a volunteer with GBE community partner Outdoor Asian, said participating in the 2021 Refuge Outdoor Festival was life changing.

“Oshun Swim School's workshop at Refuge inspired me to continue on my journey of reconnecting with water and I've been taking lessons with Seattle Parks and Rec these past few months,” Liu said.

Refuge Day is a slightly smaller event where participants can prepare for the upcoming Refuge Outdoor Festival by learning the ins and outs of outdoor gear while creating space for comradery and meaningful connections with other festivalgoers. That event is set for Aug. 5 at the REI Seattle flagship store.

Relevant links

• refugeoutdoorfestival.com
• Facebook.com/RefugeOutdoorFestival
• Instagram.com/refugeoutdoorfestival
• info@refugeoutdoorfestival.com

About Golden Bricks Events

Golden Bricks is an event production company addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating special events and festivals that showcase the voices and faces of Black, Indigenous, and People of color in the outdoors. Its mission is to create experiences that meet the needs of a diverse and inclusive audience. Our communications kit and more information are available at goldenbricksevents.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jeanette Clement
Community Manager, Communications & Brand Partners | Golden Bricks Events
jeanette@goldenbricksevents.com