Summer is in full swing, and cities and towns across the country are taking advantage of the warm weather and festive mood! No matter where in the United States you are, you are sure to find something fun and exciting in your part of town. Here at HillTop Records, we've always got our eyes and ears out for the best upcoming music festivals. Here are our picks for the month of August:The first full weekend of the month is being commemorated in East Hartford, Connecticut with the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival (8/4/2011 - 8/7/2011.) The annual event bills itself as "The Music of The Mountains In The Heart of a City," and it is known for bringing together the best local, regional and national bluegrass acts.
Also this coming weekend, the Flint Jazz Festival (8/5/2011 - 8/7/2011) is coming to Flint, Michigan. The event promises to be fun for the whole family. Along with regional and internationally known jazz musicians, the festival will have food and craft vendors in the heart of downtown Flint.
Looking to branch out and explore other musical genres? The Flood City Music Festival (8/5/2011 - 8/7/2011) in Johnstown, Pennsylvania will be a great place to do just that! It has everything from Honky Tonk to Motown, along with food and drink vendors; purchase a full weekend pass to experience the entire festival.
Other popular music festivals sure to draw crowds this weekend include the Lumberjam Festival (8/5/2011 - 8/7/2011) in Hayward, Wisconsin; the Northern California Blues Festival (8/5/2011 - 8/6/2011) in Auburn, California; the Otsego Jamfest (8/5/2011 - 8/6/2011) in Otsego, Minnesota; Bikes and Bands 2011 (8/6/2011) in Lansing, Michigan; and the Riverfront Blues Festival (8/5/2011 - 8/7/2011) in Wilmington, Delaware.
The Mammoth Lakes Bluesapalooza and Festival of Beers (8/5/2011 - 8/7/2011) is bringing Blues Traveller, Walter Trout and Robert Cray to picturesque Mammoth Lakes, California. A "Blues-style" BBQ, vendors from over 70 of the country's finest microbreweries, and even a Sunday Morning Hangover Party are sure to add to the fun. Meanwhile, California’s Eastern High Sierra provides the perfect backdrop.
On the East Coast, Musikfest (8/5/2011 - 8/13/2011) is set to take over historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The 10-day festival features a wide range of musical genres, from Bach to rock and roll. Many of the 1,000 performances (by more than 300 performers from around the country and the world) are free to attend. Indoor and outdoor stages, food vendors, special activities for children, and even a spectacular closing-night fireworks display round out the event's highlights.
Of course, no list of August music festivals would be complete without this year's Lollapalooza! One of the most popular music festivals in America, the annual event is anticipated year-round. The line-up for 2011 is truly impressive: Eminem, the Foo Fighters, Cee Loo, My Morning Jacket, Kid Cudi... The list goes on and on. And it's all headed to Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois this weekend (8/5/2011 - 8/7/2011.)
Still haven't found what you're looking for? Don't worry! There are many other exciting music festivals in the first weekend of August and throughout the rest of the month:
- the McCauley Mountain Music Festival (8/6/2011 - 8/7/2011) in Old Forge, New York (featuring the world-renowned 10,000 Maniacs!)
- the Michigan Roots Jamboree (8/6/2011 - 8/8/2011) in Ypsilanti, Michigan
- the 2nd New L.A. Folk Festival (8/6/2011 - 8/7/2011) in Altadena, California
- the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival (8/11/2011 - 8/14/2011) in St. Cloud, Minnesota
- the Heritage Music BluesFest (8/12/2011 - 8/14/2011) in Wheeling, West Virginia
- the Long Beach Jazz Festival (8/12/2011 - 8/14/2011) in Long Beach, California
- the Ojai Classic Rock & Reggae Festival (8/12/2011 - 8/14/2011) in Ojai, California
- Rhythm on the River (8/12/2011 - 9/2/2011) in Columbus, Ohio
- the Saddleback Mountain Bluegrass Festival (8/12/2011 - 8/13/2011) Rangeley, Maine
- the Sandestin Music Festival (8/12/2011 - 8/13/2011) in Destin, Florida
- the Waukesha BluesFest (8/12/2011 - 8/13/2011) in Delafield, Wisconsin
- the Taos Mountain Music Festival (8/13/2011) in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
- the Centralia Old-Time Music Campout (8/16/2011 - 8/21/2011) in Centralia, Washington
- the North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival (8/18/2011 - 8/20/2011) in Marion, North Carolina
- the Council Mountain Music Festival (8/19/2011 - 8/20/2011) in Council, Idaho
- the Taste of Music festival (8/19/2011 - 8/21/2011) in Snohomish, Washington
- the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival (8/20/2011 - 8/21/2011) in Salem, Massachusetts
- the Bluegrass 101 Bluegrass Festival (8/26/2011 - 8/27/2011) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky
- the 11th Annual AT&T Norfolk Latino Music Festival (8/27/2011) in Norfolk, Virginia
- Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines (8/27/2011 - 8/28/2011) in Idyllwild, California
- the LouFest Music Festival (8/27/2011 - 8/28/2011) in St. Louis, Missouri
- the Pennsylvania Cigar Box Guitar Festival (8/27/2011) in York, Pennsylvania
- the Rhythm & Soul Music Festival (8/27/2011 - 8/28/2011) in New York, New York
- the All Star Gospel Weekend (8/31/2011 - 9/3/2011) in Oakland, California
... See? We told you there were a lot to choose from! For more information and to find other August music festivals near you, check out Festivals.com. Also be sure to check out the best music festival of them all (okay, we might be a bit biased): HillTop Records Online Music Festivals for Songwriters, which is still running 'til the end of August! We've got $5,000 in prizes to award on Labor Day--and there is still time to join in the fun!
