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Celebrate adventure at Refuge Outdoor Festival at Tolt-MacDonald Park offering outdoor recreation workshops, live music, and art by and for BIPOC communities
Summary
Refuge Outdoor Festival, a three-day outdoor recreation and camping experience geared toward BIPOC participants and featuring more than 20 workshops and activities for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts, returns to King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground Aug. 18-20.
Story
The sixth-annual Refuge Outdoor Festival, named one of The 29 Best Outdoor Festivals in 2023 by Outside Magazine, will take place Aug. 18-20 at King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground in Carnation, offering outdoor recreation workshops, music performances, art exhibitions and community building aimed at expanding participation and access to the great outdoors by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and their allies.
In addition to more than 20 outdoor-focused workshops, participants can enjoy an outdoor vendor market, silent disco, and a variety of entertainment options such as Beats & Batter morning DJ and pancakes, and movies featuring BIPOC nature stories.
For those staying overnight, there’s an assortment of onsite camping options ranging from primitive sites to glamping accommodations.
“It’s exciting to return to Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground and gather with the community once again,” said Martin Tran of Golden Bricks Events, the festival organizer. “Whether our guests are here for their first or their sixth time, we offer something unique for everyone to experience and enjoy. And for those who just want to lie in a hammock or sit on the banks of the Tolt River all day, we’ve got that too. Our hope is that however our guests engage with the festival, they are able to find the refuge they are looking for.”
"We're honored that Refuge Outdoor Festival is returning to Tolt-Macdonald Park & Campground," said King County Parks Director Warren Jimenez. "King County Parks works to make sure everyone feels welcome in our spaces, and we believe in the power of connecting to nature and recreation. It's a perfect fit."
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 Washington Trails Association.
REI’s Seattle flagship store will host Refuge Day on Aug. 13, a free event where participants can prepare for the three-day festival by learning the ins and outs of outdoor gear while creating space for comradery and meaningful connections.
Full-access festival passes are priced on a sliding scale, and limited scholarship tickets are available. Festival details and tickets are available at the event website.
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.
Relevant links
- Get festival details and order tickets
- From King County Parks' blog: Find out more about the Refuge Outdoor Festival
Quotes
It’s exciting to return to Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground and gather with the community once again. Whether our guests are here for their first or their sixth time, we offer something unique for everyone to experience and enjoy. And for those who just want to lie in a hammock or sit on the banks of the Tolt River all day, we’ve got that too. Our hope is that however our guests engage with the festival, they are able to find the refuge they are looking for.
We're honored that Refuge Outdoor Festival is returning to Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground. King County Parks works to make sure everyone feels welcome in our spaces, and we believe in the power of connecting to nature and recreation. It's a perfect fit.