Do an Internet search for “country festivals” and you’ll find all manner of shindigs held under wide-open summer skies. For example, if you’re down Texas way in July, you might catch the Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa Festival in beautiful Fredericksburg. True to the theme, a band called Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes is scheduled to perform. In Northern California come August, the Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival combines the very California elements of regional wines, entertainment and environmental exhibits in a quaint little village. And for something completely different, head to the other side of the country for the Moose Festival in Colebrook, NH. This quirky August get-together somehow manages to fuse a Moose Calling Contest with Jazz – not to mention street fairs and more - all in a three-day weekend.
No matter where you go, most festivals share three common elements: music, food and crafts. Bluegrass, country, rock, Jazz – whatever your pleasure, with the possible exception of more urban-oriented Rap and Hip Hop – you’ll probably be able to find a country festival at which you can get your groove on. Most festivals allow you to buy either a day pass or a reduced-rate full-festival pass. If you’re a real fan of the music, go for the latter as it will allow you to not only soak up your fill of your favorite tunes, but also time to really absorb the local culture.
In my neck of the woods, Westcliffe, Colorado, our most popular festival centers around music. Bluegrass fans come from far and wide to enjoy that very American form of entertainment for four days in July during the High Mountain Hay Fever festival. Now as a local, we’re usually invited to a special night for us, and we do enjoy socializing with friends as the sun sets over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the kids chase each other barefoot on the lush grass. It’s a time for us to listen to great music and catch up with folks we haven’t seen during the stormy winter months when there’s not much going on around town.
If you’re into the unusual, then you won’t be let down by festival food. I must admit that I like to attend Renaissance festivals because it’s perfectly acceptable to walk around gnawing on a turkey leg. During out summer festivals, a local woman operates a crepe wagon and people line up for her wonderfully thin and flavorful delicacies. Often festivals, like state fairs, feature lots of foods on a stick, from kebobs to corn to sausages and just about anything else that works. Again, embrace this culinary oddity – you’ll miss it in the dead of winter. And don’t forget kettle corn, elephant ears, snow cones and all the other tasty things you’ll find at the ethnic food booths. Just be sure to pack the antacid.
Crafts booths are the third staple at most country festivals. If the craft show at the festival is juried, you’ll find a higher grade of work usually from full or nearly full-time artisans. If not, you’ll find a bit of everything including things made from crochet and empty Clorox bottles. This is not a garage sale – you generally don’t haggle over prices with these folks. However, at the end of the festival, you’re likely to find markdowns, as it’s easier to sell it than to haul it to the next location.
By all means hit the food and craft tents first, but don’t forget to get out of the festival grounds and explore! Many food vendors and crafters travel throughout an area during the summer making a living of selling at festivals. You might see them at the next event you attend. But the local restaurants and merchants depend on the festivals to bring visitors in their doors so don’t forget them! You’ll likely find unique recipes and goods crafted in the local area.
This summer, treat yourself to the simple pleasures of a country festival. Chances are, there’s one within an hour’s drive of where you live. Put on your sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, some comfortable shoes and breath it all in. This is what summer is all about.
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