Nothing screams summer quite like hanging out in a huge field, lounging in a camp chair, andÌýlistening to your favorite musicians rock out. Whether it’s tucked into the woods of Michigan or on a beachÌýin Rhode Island, the summer months hold a thousand ways to blendÌýlove of the outdoors and good tunes.
Mountain Jam:ÌýHunter, New York
Perched on a hillside of Hunter Mountain in the Northern Catskills, offers rides on one of the country’s highest and longest ziplines. If you’re looking for a mellower way to experience things fromÌýabove, there are lift rides available to the top of the mountain. The festival also offers vendor exhibits of local nonprofits and environmental groups.Ìý
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Electric Forest:ÌýRothbury Michigan
At EDM-centricÌý,Ìýexpect to be totally immersed in a carefully curated selection of music, art, and panel discussions in the forests outsideÌýRothbury, Michigan. There are numerousÌývolunteer opportunities, if you want to expand your festival experience beyond entertainment. Or justÌýkick your feet up for a while in one ofÌýthe dedicated hammock zones.
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Newport Folk Festival:ÌýNewport, Rhode Island
Held in Fort Adams State Park at the mouth of Newport Harbor, the offers awe-inspiring views of the water—and an incredible lineup. The festival has two beer gardens and four stages of music, and is easy to access by bike, bus, or even boat.
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Forecastle Music Festival:ÌýLouisville, Kentucky
Ìýstarted out as a humble neighborhood gathering and has grown into a staple of the southeast's music scene, drawing thousands of fans to Louisville’s waterfront park each year. The organizers’ dedication to the environment is more than just a tagline on the website: for every ticket sold,Ìý$1 goes to theÌýForecastle Foundation, whichÌýworks to protect ecologically diverse areas by partnering with such nonprofits as the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust, the Nature Conservancy, and the Guayaki Foundation.Ìý
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Pickathon Music Festival:ÌýHappy Valley, Oregon
Too much sunÌýin front of the main stage? Pendarvis Farm, home to the Portland, Oregon,Ìý,Ìýhas plenty of shade available in the adjacent forest. Unlike most festival campsites, which are usuallyÌýpacked together inÌýa field without any privacy, Pickathon’sÌýare cool and comfortable, and the pristine environment is complimented by aÌýdedication to sustainability, including a ban on single-use plasticÌýsince 2010. (Festival attendees are given a plate and a cup to use over the entire weekend.) And with all the local food trucks and microbrews available, your plate and cup will never be empty.Ìý
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