Finally Festivals! by Stephani Freitag

Warm weather is finally here which can only mean one thing to music lovers: let the festivities begin! The music festival season is upon us and in full swing. Some have already taken place, but there is so much more to come with a little something for everybody.

A wide-range of genres allows music festivals to appeal to all audiences. Every different type of music, all the way from marching band to metal, has some sort of festival celebration in the coming months. A number of festivals focus on just one type of music, like Rock the Bellsthat features rap and hip-hop artists. Others give a variety of sounds so festival-goers can pick and choose the groups they want to see, such as the Mile High Music Festivalthat includes such groups as Jack Johnson, Cypress Hill and Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band.

And they don’t just vary with genre either. Festivals can be found of all shapes and sizes, all over the world. Some involve on-site camping while others consist of just one day loaded with music. To easily search for a festival that’s right for you, check out Festival Finder.

This weekend alone has an impressive festival line-up. In combination with the summer solstice, musical magic will be occurring no matter which you choose. The 37^th Telluride Bluegrass Festival will be taking place in Telluride CO, providing a laid-back atmosphere with the best bluegrass you’ve ever heard.Clearwater Festival is a hybrid music/environmental festival that takes place in New York and is centered on honoring the Hudson River. Dexfest in Dandridge, Tennessee focuses on instrumental/electronica music and attending will support the Tennessee economy that is struggling due to the massive flooding.

Some festivals do even more than that. In the wake of gigantic tragedies like the Tennessee floods and the Haitian earthquake, festivals new and old have been contributing to relief funds. The Hangout Festival in Alabama took place last month and donated all profits to regional coastal cleanup and preservation to fight back against the giant BP oil well ravaging the Gulf Coast. Keep an eye out for future festivals like this so you can give back while you’re getting down! To find more information, jump on MusicFestivalJunkies.com.