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20,000 Gather for Healing Appalachia Festival Against Opioid Crisis

9/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Healing Appalachia festival in Ashland, Kentucky drew more than 20,000 attendees and 30+ artists, including Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton.
Organized by Hope in the Hills to raise awareness and funds to combat the opioid crisis in Appalachia.
Tyler Childers paid tribute to the festival's previous West Virginia location and joked about road work during his performance.

History

Historical Context

The opioid crisis in Appalachia began in the 1990s when Purdue Pharma aggressively marketed OxyContin, leading to widespread addiction. By 2017, West Virginia had the highest overdose rate in the U.S. at 52.8 deaths per 100,000 people. In 2023, the Healing Appalachia festival, organized by Hope in the Hills, attracted over 20,000 attendees, emphasizing the community's ongoing battle against addiction.

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Story summary

The Healing Appalachia festival in Ashland, Kentucky drew more than 20,000 attendees and 30+ artists, including Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton.
Organized by Hope in the Hills to raise awareness and funds to combat the opioid crisis in Appalachia.
Tyler Childers paid tribute to the festival's previous West Virginia location and joked about road work during his performance.

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