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    marye
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    10,000 Lakes? Gathering of the Vibes? Grateful Fest? If you've been to these or any others among the growing number of summer fests, tell us what's great about them!

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  • #141
    timlistenstodead
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    festivities
    usuallly i go to only 1 festival a summer. used to go to more a couple years back but, you know. now i really only go to the all good festival on marvins mountaintop in masontown west virginia. last summers headliners were phil n friends, govt mule, widespread panic, and dark star i believe. its always hot as hell in the day, cold in the night, and rainy on sunday. the people are usually awesme...except security was crappy last year. i even wrote them a big bad letter. oh yeah, 3 stages, no overlapping sets...
  • #142
    Moye
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    GRATEFUL FEST
    I believe last year they said NELSONS LEDGES QUARREY PARK was said to be one of the best venues there was. Check out there web site at NLQP.com.Phatmoye
  • #143
    spindancer
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    Wakarusa and Yarmony Grass
    I went to Wakarusa in 05, 06 and 07 and except for the heat and chiggars had a ball. Yarmony Grass at Copper Mtn. last August was cold - it snowed one night - but I stayed comfortable and it was a ripping weekend of music. This is a String Cheese family event, with all those guys plus Keller, RRE, Cornmeal, HBR, Greensky... awesome fun in the Colorado mountains. They also do an eletronica thing in June - Sonic Bloom Festival - with folks like STS9, EOTO, Pnuma... Looks worth checking out if you're into the space. Gonna try Desert Rocks this year and planning on some great times.
  • #144
    iowajeremy
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    harmony Park
    SICK ass little festival grounds up in MN, check it out they usually have 3 or 4 festivals there a year! Harvest fest being the craziest!
  • #145
    Sunshine-daydr…
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    SolStock
    10th July in deepest Kent - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam
  • #146
    dancingfrogs
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    10klf
    mkay, I've only been to one venue... 10klf, only missed one year to date, but I would find it hard to top.Excellent camping, hardly ever a line more than 1-2 people (usually none) for either a beer or to use the restroom, and the last couple years had killer lineups. If there was a gripe, it would be the cold showers. Putting a couple of picnic tables by the food vendors wouldn't kill them either.
  • #147
    fluffhead042
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    **~~~~Schwagstock~~~~**
    The Schwag are a Grateful Dead tribute band and they truly keep the vibe alive with their summerlong festivals in the heart of the Ozarks (salem-ish, MO) They have been playing for about 18 years and truly embody the passion and spirit The Dead started...True torch-bearers. JGB has played there, as have the members of String Cheese Incident..they have a wide array of music, from Reggae to Bluegrass, and everything in between...along with a bunch of vendors, great prices on food, their own store with all of the necessities and much more, etc...All of this on a breathtaking campground with thousands of beautiful, kynd, likeminded Heads. visit: www.theschwag.com for audio samples, pics, chat forum (including live show downloads for free) more importantly, visit: Camp ZOE (Schwagstock) -pugdog420
  • #148
    DreadyOcean
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    GratefulFest
    GratefulFest in Ohion is always a great time!
  • #149
    MadonMDR
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    Grisman headlining inaugural Chicago Bluegrass&Blues Fest 11/22
    What's up guys, I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues festival, this 11/22 at the historic Congress Theater, all benefiting the Saving Tiny Hearts Societies fight against the country's most common birth defect. www.cbgbfestival.com The first 10 folks that hit me up at michael.raspatello@gmail.com will get a pair of tickets mailed to them. We're excited for you to help us spread the word about this righteous endeavor
  • #150
    Jodester
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    Glastonbury
    Glastonbury was an incredible festival this year! some of the stuff I checked out... Jimmy Cliff Buddy Guy Neil Diamond The Verve Leonard Cohen ...there were stacks of other bands. There was all the crazy stuff with Amy Winehouse punching a fan in the audience, Pete Doherty not being too wasted to play. The latest newer up and coming English bands. James Blunt actually sounding like he was playing from the heart instead of being a wanna be pop boy like he sounds like on his albums. Lots of surprising stuff. Like the way the English don't waive their drug use around quite so openly as Americans, same with dealing, couldn't see it happening very easily, unlike US festivals. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Are you kind?"
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Submitted by marye on
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Festivals & Other Tours
10,000 Lakes? Gathering of the Vibes? Grateful Fest? If you've been to these or any others among the growing number of summer fests, tell us what's great about them!
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Submitted by dwlemen on Tue, 07/08/2014 - 05:45

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OK, so I am relatively new to going to festivals. Don't get me wrong, they are a blast! But, they are also expensive. It's costing $270 just to get into Lockn this year. I wonder if it's better to just go to one or 2 festivals a year or take that money and spread it out to see a bunch of shows throughout the year? -Dave
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Submitted by marye on Tue, 07/08/2014 - 08:53

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since I've done the festival thing. But I'd say it's different from going to a show; it's a more immersive scene. Hey, I'll never forget waking up outdoors in Veneta and wandering off to a big field to see the Dead (and a whole lot of cool vendors) in 1982. If that, and the random fleeting community, are not a big deal to you, maybe go with the shows, but if you want that thing you have to get at a fest...
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Submitted by iGrateful on Tue, 07/08/2014 - 11:20

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Yes, I bought tickets for last years event when Neil Young & Crazy Horse were still the headline... even though they had to cancel, this was a GREAT first Festival experience! That's why I'm going again... See you there, iGrateful
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Submitted by dwlemen on Thu, 07/10/2014 - 07:42

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I was disappointed they couldn't get Neil Young for this year. Heard they tried. But still looking forward to it. It will be the biggest festival I've ever gone to, so a bit nervous about that. But hopefully everyone is cool and we can relax and enjoy all the great music lined up. -Dave
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Submitted by cosmicbadger on Thu, 07/10/2014 - 13:09

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Just got back from our Summer of Love Festival in the UK....more like a big party really with wonderful people and great music. Met up with TigerLilly there too.......some of you might remember her from here.
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Submitted by dwlemen on Fri, 07/11/2014 - 04:56

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Hey! I do remember Tiger Lilly, though I don't know if she remembers me. We used to waste away the days chatting on here back when the chatroom was popular a few years back. I hope she is doing well. Miss our talks. -Dave
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Submitted by jendrus on Fri, 07/11/2014 - 05:24

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UMF !!!!
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Submitted by Oroboros on Wed, 08/13/2014 - 20:59

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Mary asked me if I wanted a party for my 60th birthday or go to a show, and of course I said a show. So she got tickets for the Interlockin Festival. Sorry that Bob and Ratdog can't make it (all the best Bobby, take care of yourself) but looks like Billy K is fielding a band and will fill in for Bobby. AND Phil and Friend (2 nights), String Cheese (2 night), Widespread Panic (2 nights) Wilco (2 nights), Allman Bros for one night, Tom Petty to close the show as well as other great bands (Tedeski and Trucks, Keller Williams, and much more). Today is our 34th anniversary. I can't tell you how grate a 'ride' this has been. Mary and I went to many Dead shows along with other travels and adventures. 3 healthy happy boys, (all out of the house and employed ;o}!!!! Yay!!!) and looking forward to more travel and fun together. I am the luckiest guy on earth. The truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.
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Submitted by cbaylies on Tue, 06/14/2016 - 16:34

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I loved All Good, too bad it is nixed. Going to Jerry Jam in NH, anyone coming?
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Submitted by Dred Scott on Wed, 07/06/2016 - 21:12

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We used to go only to DelFest & DSO Jubilee, and the All Good. Too old for a lot of travelling these days. But we discovered FloydFest in Floyd, VA about 10 years ago, and haven't missed it since. I'm not gonna spend a lot of time convincing you - it's a small fest, they purposely limit the attendance, it sells out each year weeks before it opens. But you'll be doing yourself a solid if you check it out. This year is Greg Allman, Warren Haynes, Keller Williams, Bruce Hornsby, Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth, etc. etc. It's 5 days of camping and music right ON the Blue Ridge Parkway in the gorgeous mountains near the North Carolina, SW Virginia border. Floyd, VA has one stoplight. And a Friday night bluegrass jam at the general store that's nationally famous. It's a stop on the Crooked Road, for you roots music fans. Not too far from Blacksburg, if you know where VA Tech is. FloydFest, the last week in July each year. If you miss it, it's your loss.
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Submitted by Cwoodpga on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 16:55

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Rfk 1973 both shows.Smoked hash with Phil and Bob. Haven't looked back since. Opened with Morning Dew second day, nothing left to say.
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Submitted by marye on Wed, 04/05/2017 - 15:22

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what are the don't-miss fests this year?
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Submitted by Brick in Oz on Mon, 04/10/2017 - 15:07

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Packing today. Off to the best 5 days on the Australian music calendar tomorrow!Www.bluesfest.com.au See you next year. Come on down ✌️
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Submitted by dwlemen on Tue, 04/11/2017 - 11:56

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I have spent much of today trying to convince my wife that we need to take a little vacation to Milwaukee this July! Peace, -Dave
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Submitted by marye on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 13:00

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since we first started this thread. But the festival scene is going strong. Which ones do you like best these days? Which ones do you really miss?
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Submitted by Rososo on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 05:06

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My favorite festival is Sziget in Budapest, I always used to go there from my property in Latvia with all my friends, and it is very atmospheric , I stay there for 7 days.

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Submitted by Strider 808808 on Tue, 04/27/2021 - 12:06

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Taos Pueblo Powwow (New Mexico), United Tribes Powwow (Bismarck, North Dakota)
8/27/72 Veneta was a great time.

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Submitted by deadhead102 on Wed, 04/28/2021 - 10:16

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I can't stand festivals! There's more than one band and sometimes more than one stage. The time spent going between stages as well as the short sets each band plays is not for me. I would much rather go to a Grateful Dead concert and get nothing but the good ol' Grateful Dead. This also applies to other acts that I might want to see.

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Submitted by 1stshow70878 on Thu, 04/29/2021 - 10:16

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The Telluride Bluegrass festival is still going strong 40+ years and although bigger and better than ever it still has that down low small town vibe. Cheers!

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Submitted by GADEADHEAD on Fri, 06/18/2021 - 06:30

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Bourbon & Beyond Louisville, Ky. Has had some hidden gym's in recent years and plenty of bourbon and food. This is more of a main stream music festival but it always sprinkles in some good bluegrass (Billy Strings, and Infamous Stringdusters to name a few) John Mayer, Robert Plant, promise of The Real, Margo Price and others have given the festival some character.

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Submitted by Steamdude on Fri, 05/06/2022 - 13:08

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Watkins Glen, '72. The unexpected Friday night sound check was some of the sweetest most laid back jam I've ever heard the band do. Lots of fun despite being quite unprepared. Spent Friday night sleeping in the trunk of a car! Right up there with Barton Hall '77. I was tripping heavily for that and couldn't be sure that it was really as good as it sounded until I heard a recording of it later.

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Submitted by Pitz Quattrone… on Fri, 05/06/2022 - 13:58

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My favorite summer festival is one that features incredibly unique, professional, unsigned, independent artists that truly need a high-quality exposure event to boost their careers to a level so they can earn a decent living performing and recording their musical visions. Not sure that one exists? If it does, please let me know who I can reach out to in order to be considered for a performance slot.

Thank you,
Pitz Quattrone
pitzquattrone.com

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Submitted by Robertbob59 on Fri, 05/20/2022 - 07:44

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@Pitz Quattrone that's a Great Idea ...Lot of great Artist that need to be Heard and are Pushed Aside by Weaker mainstream Garbage . ya can't even go to these new millennial shows . to many nonsense Bands music . ya have to wait for a Solid group to play .
The Glory Days of Jerry Garcia are Gone .