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CROOMFEST 2024 ORIENTATION

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ACTIVITIES WILL START AND STOP AT SILVER LAKE CAMPGROUNDS.

31475 Silver Lake Rd, Brooksville, FL 34602

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All activities will start from the Stage Area. The Stage Area is the meeting place. Bring your bike and be ready to roll.

 

The following information can be found in this section.

  • Preface About Swamp and the purpose of event!  (All Participants)   

  • Welcome and General Information (All Participants)   

  • General Schedule & Day Use Site Map, (All participants) 

  • Happy Campers            

  • Vendors

  • Volunteer information will be sent directly to volunteers and instructions will not be included here.

  • Ride Route Maps; 35/50 Ride Descriptions      

  • Hiking

  • Paddling with the Sierra Club

  • Drawings, and the Lucky Winners!                                          

  • Emergency protocol and contact numbers

 

This is a rain or shine event. No refunds.

PS- CroomFest 2025 is on the calendar so mark it now. Feb 6-10, 2025

The Beginning

For those of you that don’t know Swamp as an organization, you may ask why we do events like CroomFest? 

  • Sending you home with smiles and memories is only the beginning.

  • Swamp has been building and maintaining trails for the past 35 years. Fundraisers along with volunteers are necessary for us to continue to do so.

As your hosts for CroomFest, we wish you the greatest experience possible, satisfaction knowing that you have taken part in supporting our trails and that you leave the event eager to return in 2025. Yes, planning for 2025 is already in the works.

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You received a link to necessary information that is located in this section . Please take the time to read what interests you. It will help you familiarize yourself with the content of the weekend.

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With best wishes and sincere hopes,

Your Swamp CroomFest event team

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PS- CroomFest 2025 is on the calendar so mark it now. Feb 6-10, 2025

Welcome to CroomFest 2024

ALL ACTIVITIES WILL START AND END AT SILVER LAKE CAMPGROUNGS. THIS INCLUDES THE EPIC RIDES. 31475 Silver Lake Rd, Brooksville, FL 34602. Please read this again.

If you only are coming in for the day:

Parking

  • Please follow the parking pattern by driving to the Day Use area and looking at how the cars are parked on the right side of the road. 

  • Park next to the last car parked on the right side of the road.

  • Do not park on your left. 

  • There will be parking assistants to guide you from 7:00am until 9:00 am on Saturday morning.

Registration check-in 

  • Thursday 2:00pm-6:00pm

  • Friday 2:00-7:00 for campers and vendors

  • Saturday 7:00am-10:00am day only events

  • Sunday 7:00-8:30 day only events

Epic riders will receive wrist bands and bike numbers at check in. You must return to the registration hub after your ride to pick up your swag bags, food and beer tickets. Wristbands are to be worn at all times.

Everyone: 

  • You will receive a schedule in your email inbox. It will also be posted by the Information Hub in the center of the Day Use area and on the event site as part of the orientation material. CroomFest.com 

  • You will receive a brief description of all rides posted on the event site.

  • If you have a wristband for the epic rides, you can participate in any of the other activities taking place over the weekend.

  • If you are joining any of the yoga classes, please bring your own mat.

  • We would love for you to share your pictures. Videos are also welcome. Remember to take vertical video. Landscape is not good. Please share your memories with us here. 

  • https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1eVKitQpIjMRu4jdMvReqNfpuvegiIb3R

  • There’s a lot going on. Please be familiar with the orientation section.

  • This is a rain or shine event. No refunds

Enjoy your experience. We will be in touch after the event for your feedback. Feel free to contact Pat Sanchez at Pat.Sanchez@Swampmtbclub.com if you have questions.

Event Schedule

Happy Campers

ALL ACTIVITIES WILL START AND END AT THE SILVER LAKE DAY USE AREA. 

Yes, you will see this repeated over and over. Activities will start from the stage area so be ready to roll from there.

This information can also be found on the event site under the help section CroomFest.com

Check in and Check out

  • GATE CODE will be sent to all campers closer to the event

  • Thursday Check-in - 2:00 PM

  • Sunday check-out - 2:00PM -this could change and be later but will not be earlier

  • Monday check-out   1:00PM

Early registration

  • Friday 2:00-7:00pm- Must have wristband for Friday night potluck dinner

  • SATURDAY REGISTRATION- 7:00am-10:00AM Location Swamp Hub

 

Campground rules

 

  • Familiarize yourself with Florida Forestry campground rules. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/florida/home/?cid=stelprdb5274793

  • Animals must be kept on a lease at all times. No exceptions. 

  • If more than 2 vehicles are parked on a site please do not obstruct traffic flow or safety. Do not obstruct the ability of parked cars to move..

  • Tent sites in Crooked River are festival camping which means you may be sharing your site with a new friend or two. RV sites will not have tents on them unless otherwise arranged. Please contact Pat.Sanchez@Swampmtbclub.com to make arrangements.

  • If you are driving to the day use area from Cypress Glen or Crooked River, please find parking in Silver Lake campgrounds and not outside in the general area of the day use area.

  • Campfires are allowed in campfire rings only. The community fire pit is at the end (or beginning) of campsites 16 and 17 in the Day Use area. Bring your chair. It is a great place to hang and enjoy all the action.

  • Firewood is available for personal use, for a donation. A donation jar will be available by the firewood and a volunteer will be present. Please do not take wood if a volunteer is not there to instruct you. We need wood for the community fire pit and will have it separated.

  • Our volunteers are not your cleanup crew. Please dispose of your own trash and leave your campsite clean. We will remember you. If we must clean up after you, you will not be invited back.

  • There are dumpsters at the entrance of each campground.  Do not bring your old couch but please feel free to deposit all camping trash before you leave, along with anything you generate throughout the weekend. 

Welcome to our Vendors

It is an honor to welcome you to CroomFest 2024. We are excited that you are joining us.

 

Vendor village contact:  Jason Robbins jrmrtr03@yahoo.com

You may contact Jason with any questions in advance as needed.

 

Schedule 

Setup - Friday Feb 1, 2024 - 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Registration @ Swamp Hub - Friday Feb 1, 2024 - 12:00pm-1:00pm

Checkout - Sunday Feb, 4, 2024 - 5:00 pm

 

Event Set Up Instructions:

 

  • Your site will be identified and marked for you.

  • You may drive in to set up. 

  • No vehicles are to be left in the Vendor Village if they are not part of your setup. Please Park in the vendors’ parking area.

  • You must register at the Swamp registration hub

 

Raffles:

 

  • Raffles will be held at the stage on Sunday starting at noon. If you are donating a raffle item, please be at the stage to present it to the winner.

  • Please provide details about donated items so that we can advertise them as well as you. We would like information no later than December 31st. 

  • Send information to Jason at the email listed above.

  • Swamp will not be responsible for delivering to winners. Please be sure you have contact information on the raffle tickets to make delivery or pick up arrangements between winners and vendors.

This is a rain or shine event. No refunds

 

CroomFest 2025

 

Feb 6-10, 2025 is on the calendar for CroomFest 2025. Put it on yours as well.

Suggestions, comments or questions please contact Jason Robbins.

jrmrtr03@yahoo.com
 

THE EPIC RIDES 

ALL ACTIVITIES START AND END AT SILVER LAKE CAMPGROUNDS

Location Address for all CroomFest events: 31475 Silver lake Road Brooksville, Fl 34602.

THE OFF-ROAD EVENT DOES NOT START AND END AT TUCKER HILL

 

REGISTRATION

Friday      12:00PM-7:00PM

Saturday 7:00AM-10:00AM     after ride check in 11:30am-4:00pm

You will pick up your bike numbers, meal tickets and wristbands when you register. You must return to registration to check back in after the ride and get your swag bag that will have your beverage tickets, t-shirts and other goodies.

 

Saturday breakfast (food ticket is in your registration package. 7:00AM-10:00AM

Saturday opening ceremony- 8:00AM at the stage area.

Riders Meeting                          8:15AM

Riders may leave the campgrounds at 8:30AM but must leave the campgrounds by 9:30AM or we cannot guarantee that the sag stops will still be open when you arrive there.

 

Always wear your wristbands as event identification. 

A route map link was included with your registration confirmation. Maps can be found here in this section.

Download trailforks https://www.trailforks.com/apps/map/ which is also helpful when navigating Croom. Review and know how to use it prior to hitting the trails. . It will be helpful if you get lost or need to tell someone where you are located if you are unable to move. The courses are well marked with arrows for you to follow. 

There are three sag stops for the off road epic and two for the pavement. They are marked on the maps. Two off-road stops are available for riders that choose to do 35 miles and 3 for those doing 50.

Please thank all the volunteers. They are working hard to see that you have a good time and memorable experience.

Should you have an emergency, please make sure you have a list of contact numbers with you. For medical emergencies, please call 911. 

There will be music in the air, cold beverages and food waiting for your return. Please have your lunch tickets handy for your dining selection. A special event menu is waiting.

This is a rain or shine event. No refunds

PS- CroomFest 2025 is on the calendar so mark it now. Feb 6-10, 2025


 

CroomFest 2024 Nature Hike

Hosted by the Hernando Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

Saturday Feb 3 9:00am- 12:00pm

Hike Location: TBD

Mileage- 3-4 miles

 

Please register in advance to attend this hike.

Designed to be family friendly and open to children 17 and older. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Wear appropriate footwear.

  • Bring a water bottle.

  • Hats, sunscreen and insect repellent are also recommended.

  • If you enjoy bird watching, also bring binoculars.

  • Arrive early to check in

  • A liability waiver must be on file for this event.  

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PADDLE WITH THE SIERRA CLUB

Paddle the beautiful Withlacoochee River with the Hernando County Chapter of the Sierra Club

 

Leaving the Silver Lake boat ramp for approximately a 6-mile round trip not to exceed 3 hours. This will be an easy paddle upstream, followed by a downstream return. Or perhaps you would rather paddle approximately 7.3 miles round trip, no longer than 3 hours in duration. This will be a moderate paddle downstream with an upstream return.

 

  • Rentals may be available.

  • Must register in advance.

  • Check in early.

  • Signed liability release must be on file

  • Wear suitable attire.

  • Must have floatation device

  • Bring Hydration

  • Whistle

  • Must be 18 or accompanied by an adult.

 

 

Raffles and Silent Auction Items

 

Winners and Opportunities all starts at noon on Sunday from Center Stage 

 

  • Who wins the bikes? 

  • Raffle Drawings to be held following the bike raffles.

  • Silent Auction Winner Announcements

 

Each vendor will have a ticket bucket at their tent. Purchased drawing tickets can be placed in drawing buckets of your choice.

 

Looking for those great bargains?  Hit up the donation table for those deals you can’t refuse. Gently used gear, apparel, bike parts, and more. Have something for the table? Drop it off at the registration hub. Please make all items are usable. We do not want things that are not useful to someone else.

 

Drawings will be held on Sunday Feb 4h at noon. If you are not present for the drawings, you will need to make arrangements for pick up.

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PS- CroomFest 2025 is on the calendar so mark it now. Feb 6-10, 2025

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Emergency Protocol

 

BE PREPARED

  • Have your personal emergency plans thought out in advance.

  • Medical Emergencies- Do not hesitate. Call 911

  • Be familiar with how to instruct someone to track you should it be necessary. Know where you are if possible.

Download and be familiar with Trailforks. Know how to use it. This app will help 911 locate someone in distress. Trailforks has a GPS pin feature that can be used to get a person's lat/long location. https://www.trailforks.com/apps/map/

Swamp's website fortunately has the Forestry ranger number listed on the Croom trail webpage along with a map and other logistical information https://www.swampmtbclub.com/croom

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Lost, stranded or need assistance- 

  • Sag 1      813.240.5475

  • Sag 2      352-428-8474.

  • Sag 3      352.598.3154

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