ANOTHER FALL WITH Y’ALL: The road to Shakori Hills calls
- Shannon Rae Gentry
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
I have written about a handful of music festivals in my tenure as a long-winded storyteller, but one of them has become a true family tradition: Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance in Pittsboro, NC. For the first few years, we made the quick trip (less than 3 hours) down the road to both fall and spring dates, starting when our daughter was a baby. An “easy” camping festival with lots to do, experience and learn in between folksie, funky, electroscapy, bluegrassy, clog happy, rocky rolly tunes from across the state and country.
As fall Shakori fast approaches this week and weekend (October 2-5), I have thought long over what continues to draw our family back year after year. And I think, at this moment at least, it’s this collective community that’s dedicated to creating shared spaces with eclectic arts and mediums; as well to commune in mindfulness and nature and sustainability. It has this Pied Piper effect come every season now. Some people think fall smells like pumpkin spice, I argue that it's patchouli.
Of course, Donna the Buffalo’s signature festival always offers a lineup worth listening to whether you’re familiar fans of the music or not. This year we can look forward to featured circuit stalwarts like the Del McCoury Band and George Porter, Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners, but there also are always familiar (and less familiar) North Carolina and regional acts to take in on a given day throughout the 4-day event.
Shakori does a really good job of generational and genre intersection, like a family patchwork quilt that’s less concerned with trends and perfect seams, but focused rather on the warmth it provides your body and heart during cold winters.
Tons of outfits out of North Carolina are headed to Shakori this weekend. Out of Snow Camp, NC, the Celtic punk-grass The Tan and Sober Gentlemen will return to Shakori. From Wilmington, we’ll see family fave veggies the Broccoli Brothers and electronic-infused instrumental jamband Domocile. Also from Eastern NC, the Glorifying Vines Sisters will bring their quartet gospel. All the way from Donegal, Ireland, The Byrne Brothers family band will play on the same festival grounds as Pittsboro’s Onyx Club Boys—who have an equation for hot jazz, French musette, Brazilian samba, swing, and ragtime that has my interest piqued.
Despite the constant deluge of public calls for Americans to further demonize each other; to hurt and scapegoat each other; and as walls (tangible or imaginary) are further erected in an attempt to close, isolate, or terrorize—there are still these tiny moments to create and connect over what matters in the face of chaos and cruelty.
Playing assistant to my daughter’s artistic vision for her wares to sell at the Kids Bazaar this weekend has kept me grounded and connected to the reality I want for her (and for everyone, really) in this life; and not constantly drowning in virtual vitriol. These last few weeks I have cherished these moments of mindless sorting of sparkly bits and beads, while we talk about what to get for face painting (she says she’s getting a dog, I’m thinking Medusa). We even doodled our own Shakori camping “list” that just turned into a fun hype activity.
Now that she’s older and has more opinions about how she spends her time, she’s more excited to curate her Shakori experience. She’s more awake to the full scale of Kids Activities. Last year we made hula hoops, but there’s more to pack in from mask making and kids yoga, to tie dye (obviously) and dance, to storytimes and instrumental explorations, to more fall-specific activities like pumpkin carving.
We’ve been going to Shakori for 8 years and have yet to get it all in, and I think that’s what makes it so great. It’s close enough to feel like a long camping trip, and not a long drive with a camping stopover. It’s familiar enough to comfortably and quickly set up and settle in. It’s diverse in people, vendors, music, and creative activities that offer as much or as little adventure you’re in the mood for.
This year I plan to dedicate more time to take in Shakori’s mind, body, and wellness offerings—because the best part of the festival is that no matter where you go or settle in for a time, music always follows. Shakori’s Movement and Healing Arts community of yogis and massage therapy beckons already. Laughter Yoga (yoga and meditation based in neuroscience and laughter history) with Laura Collatz is at the top of the list to try.
Shakori, for me, is the proverbial onion of festivals. Every year I pull back a layer, but not just for myself alone. A lot of what I have experienced with this festival has been through my daughter, her context and abilities. Our first Shakori when she was a baby was mostly about camping with a baby, with some music and maybe some vendor shopping for as long as I could manage with fleeting energy. Then she was old enough to partake in more activities, and then more exploration without Mom or Dad.
Now there’s pre-Shakori, a new level unlocked wherein she wants to talk about Shakori; she wants to help clean and prep for Shakori; and she wants to create for Shakori. (Hence my aforementioned sparkle-craft assistant duties.)
NOTE: One of these days , maybe I (or my daughter) will clue us all in on The Outpost - For Teens, but right now—with peace and love— teens scare us both just a little. I jest, of course. Though I don’t have any anecdotal experience, it seems like just enough structure with creative workshops and open activities like basketball and other games for 10-18-year-olds meet more 10-18-year-olds.
Shakori is something that my family and so many others have grown up with and in. We see a lot of the same folks from across the state and state lines. For many, Shakori is almost the only context we have for each other’s existence. But like those cousins you only see once a year on [insert holiday], you still appreciate the time you have with them—maybe even more so than the cousins.
Shakori is where we see babies turn into children, who then one day show up with facial hair and personal style sense–maybe some age-appropriate attitude, but you don’t take it personally because it’s Shakori and life outside is a helluva lot worse!
I think most people reading this are probably heading to Shakori already, or maybe you’re a little Shakori curious, or it’s been on your radar but you haven’t made it out yet. This is your annual reminder to give it a try, and if you don’t make it this weekend, spring Shakori is just around the corner.
Happy Shakori!
Details:
Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
October 2-5, 2025
Pittsboro, NC