Preview: Memorial Day Weekend Festivals

[Photo by Tim Hara]

Summer Camp
If you are looking for something larger and a bit more diverse, Summer Camp – held at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL – is the perfect fit. This festival is in its 10th year and is still going strong! This multi-day festival brings together some of the biggest names in jam rock over five stages as well everything from yoga lessons to social activism causes. Just don’t forget their late night sets in the Red Barn are a separate ticket due to limited space. moe. and Umphrey’s McGee play all three days over the weekend allowing multiple chances to see them. But the headliners don’t stop there and include STS9, Gov’t Mule, the Avett Brothers and G. Love. Tickets start at $170 for the weekend with multiple VIP options.

Sasquatch!
For those seeking a more indie-oriented Memorial Day Weekend festival, the Sasquatch! Festival returns to the gorgeous Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA with a lineup featuring Pavement, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, the National, LCD Soundsystem, Band of Horses, Ween, Tegan and Sara and Broken Social Scene. Camping is available onsite.  Tickets are available for each of the three days individually at $80 per day. VIP-style “Supertickets” air-conditioned restrooms, special access and viewing platforms for $1,500 a couple.

[Photo by Britt Nemeth]

StrangeCreek
This family- friendly festival has been going strong at Camp Kee-Wanee in Greenfield, MA for years now. Recent proceeds from the festivals went to help construct new cabins on the site (whose real life is spent as a summer camp for children of all abilities). As you might guess from the name, Max Creek and Strangefolk are the headliners at this festival but many local favorites including Ryan Montbleau Band, Garaj Mahal and Zach Deputy will also be attendance for a total of over 70 bands. Tickets will be $100 starting the week of the festival.

[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]

The Mighty High
Create-a-Vibe has been producing concerts and day events in the Northern NJ area for years. Last year they featured artists like moe. and Keller Williams at day events, this year they have expanded to a three-day festival at Tuxedo Ridge, NY (about 30 min from NYC) that includes camping and the full festival experience. Headliners include From Good Homes, Dark Star Orchestra, Felice Brothers and New Riders of the Purple Sage. Passes start at $65 with day passes also available.

Other options out there include the 6th annual FolkFest at Sterling Stage (NY), Delfest (MD), the 16th annual Hookahville (OH), Amberland 2010 (GA) , Rocklahoma (OK) and Bisco Inferno (CO) for those looking for something a bit different.

[Bisco Inferno 2009 by Britt Nemeth]

Where will you end up this weekend? A backyard BBQ with some family or seeing your favorite band will thousands of your newest best friends?