Editor’s note: please welcome Rebecca Weaver, another Dayton Campus Connect intern, to our Active Living section.

Outdoor families and enthusiasts of all sorts are welcome to join in the 2011 Five Rivers Metroparks’ GearFest, a multi-day event packed with all the Midwest Outdoor Experience has to offer. The fun-filled event takes place on Friday, September 30, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, October 1, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and not to mention parking and attendance is completely free!

GearFest has something to offer for all of our outdoor adventurers including camping, off-road races, regional music acts, competitions, a Friday and Saturday night beer garden, and much more! The two-day event has grown to be more than just a place to offer great outdoor gear, it has evolved to become a nature lover’s paradise. GearFest is one of the Midwest’s largest festivals celebrating the many thrilling activities mother nature has to offer.

On Friday night there will be the GearFest Off Road 5 K, the start of the National Slackline Competition, live music presented by WYSO including Front Porch Revival and The Spikedrivers, and a chance to watch the Earth Joy Tree Climbers. There will also be places and opportunities to try Backpacking, Fly Fishing, Geocaching, Skateboarding, and much more. Stop by the Subway Fresh Fit Youth Adventure Zone to learn about healthy and active outdoor lifestyles for the kids.

Saturday features the finale to the National Slackline Competition, Freestyle Whitewater Kayaking, speed rock climbing, a ski/snowboard competition, the Hub Trex Bike Ride, more live music presented by WYSO featuring the Buffalo Killers, and many other musical talents. There will also be a chance for guests to try many other activities including: disc golfing, snow tubing, kayaking, canoeing and much more.

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Not only will GearFest be the hot spot for some of the Midwest’s best outdoor fun, they will also be featuring some deliciously appealing food and drinks. This year’s food vendors include: All Souped Up, Bolaskos Concessions, Las Americas, Skyline Chili, Smokin’ Bar-B-Que, Kona Ice, and The Monch On. The Yakima Beer Garden will be featured on both Friday and Saturday night, and it will be hosted by Bonbright Distributors. All of the proceeds will be going towards the Mad River Mountain Ski Patrol.

Help GearFest in the effort to go green and reduce plastic cup waste by purchasing the world’s first and only Silipint, provided by Green Earth Outdoors. The Silipint is BPA free and practically indestructible, purchase one when you stop by the beer garden or pre-order one by calling Green Earth Outdoors (502) 475- 7455.

Enter the Ultimate Gear Giveaway for your chance to win your very own “Ultimate Outdoor Experience.” Simply like the “Get Out and Live” Facebook page and become automatically entered to win one of the many prize packs provided by GearFest sponsors. Some of the packages include items such as kayaks, mountain bikes, snowboards, skis, backpacks, and much more!

This year GearFest will be hosting many opportunities for all you nature nuts with a competitive edge. Along with the Gibbon National Slackline Competition, many other competitions will be taking place at the event as well. The featured events include the GearFest Off-Road 5K Run/ Walk, Colavita-Zipp Speed Time Trials Finale, Ohio Valley Cyclocross GearFest CX, “The Hunt for Shred October” Freestyle Competition, and the “Rock the Climb” Speed Climbing Competition. So if you’re seeking an outdoor escape this weekend, stop on out to Five Rivers Metroparks’ GearFest 2011, and grab yourself a breath of fresh air and some friendly competition.