Summer Sounds and Scenes: Our top Picks

Summer is here and along with the sun, comes the fun. We love summer festivals and always look forward to checking out all that we can. It is a great opportunity to enjoy music and entertainment with your friends in the great outdoors. If you do a Google search for summer music festivals, you will quickly learn that the abundance of options throughout the region is overwhelming! To help you get the most out of your summer, we’ve compiled this list of some of our favorite festivals taking place this summer in the Midwest and South. So take some notes, get your tickets and hit the road!

July

July 15-17: Forecastle Festival (Louisville, KY)
Tickets: $120 – $400 at Forecasltefest.com
Now in its 15th year, Forecastle draws tens of thousands of visitors to Louisville’s Waterfront Park for music local flare and heritage and fantastic food from specialty food trucks. This yearâ??s lineup is stacked with over 50 bands on multiple stages including The Avett Brothers, Alabama Shakes Ben Harper and more. Forecastle isn’t just about music, though, and focuses on environmental activism too. Conveniently located in the downtown district of the city where you will find plenty of options for hotels, restaurants and other things to do before and after the festival.

July 15-16: 29th Annual Cajun Food & Music Festival (Lake Charles, LA)
Tickets & Info: www.visitlakecharles.org or call 800-456-7952
This festival aims to preserve the Cajun traditions and heritage through music, dancing and food. Savory Cajun dishes including jambalaya, gumbo, cracklins and more will be in high supply at this event, along with raffles, a live auction, arts and crafts booths, and more.

July 14-16: Sioux Falls Blues & JazzFest (Sioux Falls, SD)
Tickets are free and information can be found at SiouxFallsJazzFest.com
The annual Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival, JazzFest, has become a summer favorite for Sioux Falls and the region. JazzFest is a three-day outdoor musical event, featuring two stages of music and is FREE to the public. In addition to the great music, there is also food and art vendors, beer and wine gardens, arts and crafts, 5k run/fun walk, fireworks and more! This yearâ??s headliners include Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, The Fray, Coco Montoya and more. The price is right, the line-up is fabulous so no excuses to miss this one!

July 15-16: RiverSong Music Festival (Hutchinson, MN)
Tickets: $25 at RiverSongFestival.org
This family-friendly festival on the Crow River, west of the Twin Cities, features folk, blues, jazz and other grassroots music on three stages, including one for children. There’s onsite camping and food to go along with a fun, relaxed atmosphere. There might not be national acts at River Song, but chances are you will find a few artists to add to your playlist!

July 17-19: Bay Harbor Fest (Bay St. Louis, MS)
Tickets: $20 – $65 at BayHarborFest.com
Billed as the summerâ??s coolest beach party, the Bay Harbor Fest is a 3-day music and arts festival held at the Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor. Headlines by Gregg Allman, donâ??t miss the sounds of Southern Soul, R&B, Zydecko/Cajun, Reggae, Blues, Country and Southern Rock. Grab your beach chair, flip flops and sun screen and enjoy the best of the beach, art and Gulf Coast food favorites.

July 20-24: Festival of the Lakes (Hammond, IN)
Tickets: Free General Admission. $25 parking fee. VIP tix: $50 at FestivaloftheLakes.com
Festival of the Lakes is an event that features everything from headliner music, hot rod and bike show and polka party to a fishing tournament, golf scramble and kids entertainment. This yearâ??s event features Boys II Men (7/20), Eli Young Band (7/21), George Thorogood and The Destroyers (7/22) and Ludacris (7/23). The concerts take place at The Pavilion at Wolf Lake Memorial Park located in East Chicago on the banks of Lake Michigan.

 

 

July 21-July23: Country Jam (Eau Claire, WI)
Tickets: $110-$285 at CountryJamWI.com
Country music unites on this epic weekend of top acts combined with camping and hanging out with thousands of others with festival fever. Top acts include over twenty top acts including Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry and Eli Young Band. The layout of the event including multiple VIP ticket options that include several perks like free parking, food, beer and more. There is also a plethora of camping or nearby hotels where shuttles can take you to and from the show. This is a sure fire, donâ??t miss event!

 

July 21-23: Moondance Jam (Walker, MN)
Tickets: $130-$575 at Moondancejam.com
There are not many festivals out there with as much of a diversity as the Moondance Jam. Always a sure bet to be entertained, fans will experience first class camping and lodging options, multiple food and bar options on premise and a cultural experience to go along with it. In addition the music line-up features over fifty bands ranging from a heavier line-up on Thursday with headliners Godsmack and Bush, leading into Friday featuring Chicago, Rick Springfield and Loverboy and wrapping up Saturday night with Boston and Blues Traveler to name a few.

 

July 22â??24: Four Roses Louisville Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival (Louisville, KY)
Tickets: $13 – $17 at LouisvilleBluesandBBQFestival.com
This family friendly three-day festival on the banks of the Ohio River is a bring your lawn chair, kick back and relax kind of an event. Featuring some of the regionâ??s top blues bands paired with great beer and bbq from multiple vendors, where can you go wrong? The price is right, the bands are superb and a special craft beer tasting tent brings it all together.

 

July 27-31: Floyd Fest 16 (Floyd, VA)
Tickets: 1-Day $95 to 5-day w. camping $270 (Kids 6-12 $30) at floydfest.com
Great music encompassing nine stages, camping and non-stop activities is what Floyd Fest is all about. This yearâ??s event lineup includes Gregg Allman, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Warren Haynes and over sixty other bands performing over the five day weekend. Other activities available are mountain backing, canoeing, workshops and crafts, childrenâ??s universe and a teen scene area. So mark the calendar, grab your tent and head to Virginia!

 

July 29-31: Natchez Food & Wine Festival (Natchez, MS)
Tickets: $25-$125 at NatchezFoodandWineFest.com
Over the course of three days, visitors can enjoy the finest food, drinks and entertainment the South has to offer. The culinary festival is one of many special events planned for 2016 in celebration of the cityâ??s Tricentennial. The Natchez Food & Wine Festival kicks off with â??Tastings Along the Mississippi Riverâ? event Friday evening and a number of experiences are available throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.

August 

August 4-6: WE Fest Country Music Festival (Detroit Lakes, MN)
Tickets: $90-$200 at WEFest.com
What do you get when you combine top country and rock icons with camping and three days of fun in the sun? The largest party in ! The 34th Annual WE Fest has grown into the summer’s most anticipated music festival of the region and this year wonâ??t disappoint. Headliners include Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, Steven Tyler, Lee Brice, Montgomery Gentry and many more.

August 5-7: Dublin Irish Festival (Dublin, OH)
Tickets: $10-$12 at DublinIrishFestival.org
An Irish attitude is all you need to experience the Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio. For 28 years, the first weekend in August has been reserved for what is now the largest three-day Irish Festival on the planet. More than 100,000 guests are expected to attend. With 7 stages, 65 acts and more than 535 performers, there is something for everyone. A celebration of all that is Irish, this festival features authentic Irish food vendors, beer tastings, a marketplace and more.

August 8-16: Elvis Week (Memphis, TN)
Ticket prices range from free to $395 for all-access passes. Info at Graceland.com/elvisweek
If you are fan of the King of Rock and Roll, youâ??ll want to plan a trip to Memphis in August when Elvis fans from around the world gather for Elvis Week. The entire week is celebration of all that is Elvis including traditional events such as the Elvis Fan Club Presidents Event, Graceland Insiders Event, Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and an Elvis candlelight vigil plus special concerts, panel discussions, dances and much more. The cornerstone event of Elvis Week each year is the Candlelight Vigil that begins on the evening of August 15 and lasts well into the morning of August 16, as fans walk up the driveway to Meditation Garden holding a candle in quiet remembrance of Elvis. Candlelight Vigil participants numbering in the tens of thousands gather on Elvis Presley Blvd. during the evening to listen to music, remember Elvis and enjoy the memorials that are created by fans along the street.

August 8-14: Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (Sturgis, SD)
Tickets and information at SturgisMotorcycleRally.com
Grab a motorcycle, hold onto your hats and get to South Dakota for this weeklong party of all parties. While you donâ??t have to have a motorcycle to attend, you will see thousands of bikes, see millions of sights and not want to leave. Flurried with events and attractions including concerts, bon fires, karaoke, zip lining, poker runs and more, everyone should experience Sturgis at least once! This yearâ??s concert headliners include Willie Nelson (8/5), Molly Hatchet (8/6), 3 Doors Down (8/6), Kid Rock (8/7), Lynard Skynyrd (8/8), Ted Nugent (8/9) and the list go on and on. Start planning today as you will want to be prepared!

August 12â??14: Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival (Clarksdale, MS)
Tickets are FREE and information is at SunFlowerFest.org
The heart and soul of blues music is deeply rooted on the back roads of Mississippi, and this festival celebrates that rich history. Dozens of bands will take the stage over the three days in their 29th year of the event held on Sunflower River.

 

August 25-28: Kool Deadwood Nites (Deadwood, SD)
Tickets & Info at Deadwood.com/events/kooldeadwoodnites
Classic cars and free concerts! Kool Deadwood Nites brings car lovers together for four days full of classic cars, classic music and classic fun. Itâ??s a 50â??s and 60â??s sock hop – Deadwood style. Enjoy parades, show and shines and FREE concerts on Main Street featuring the biggest names in rock â??n roll history.

September

 

September 2-4: Gulf Coast Jam: Country on the Coast (Panama City, FL)
Tickets: $149-$439 at GulfCoastJam.com
Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is a three-day country music festival in Panama City Beach, Florida over Labor Day weekend. Located in one of Floridaâ??s most beautiful beach locations this festival is the ultimate country music lovers weekend combining a vacation with all-star headlining music. This yearâ??s line-up is headlined by Brad Paisley (9/2), Jake Owen 9/3) and Eric Church (9/4), but it doesnâ??t end there. The line-up is stacked with others including The Band Perry, Lynyrd Skynyd, Sara Evans, Colt Ford, Mark Chestnut and more.

 

 

September 3-4: Kentucky Bluegrass & Bourbon Experience (Louisville, KY)
Tickets: $13 – $17 at KentuckyBluegrassFestival.com
The heart of bluegrass music resides in Kentucky and the number one bluegrass festival resides in Louisville on September 3rd and 4th. Featuring two days of incredible pickers, fiddlers and yodelers from across the country, this is the ultimate event to check out some of the best bluegrass in the business. In addition, the celebration of bourbon is here as the event hosts a tasting tent featuring the a variety of the best bourbons in the world. There are plenty of food vendors to choose from as well as space for chairs and blankets to enjoy the sounds of summer and bluegrass music.

 

September 17: Mississippi Delta Blues Festival (Greenville, MS)
Tickets and information: TopEventsUSA.com/mississippi-delta-blues-festival.html
Mississippi Delta Blues is recognized as one of America’s most important musical forms. The Mississippi Delta Blues Festival celebrates and helps to preserve this culture. When the festival began in 1978 it was little more than a local community gathering. Today it is the second oldest continuously operating blues festival in the country and has attracted performers such as BB King, Sam Chatmon, Son Thomas, Willie Foster, Ruby Wilson, Robert Cray, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King, Bobby Rush and Denise LaSalle.

September 3-4: Tumbleweed Country Music Camping Festival (Sugar Creek, MO)

Tickets: $89-$199 for 2-day passes. $30 parking. Information at TumbleweedCountry.com
Located minutes from downtown Kansas City, the Tumbleweed Country Music & Camping Festival is an unbelievable two-day and two-night country experience that will create incredible memories for a lifetime. Join thousands of country music fans for a weekend of canoe trips, hiking, camping, zip lines, helicopter rides, hot air balloon rides, bull riding, country vendors, BBQ and dozens of regional and national country musicians. Headlined by Chase Rice, Rodney Atkins, Pat Green and more