Music: Country Music USA: Summer’s Top Country Music Festivals and Fairs (May 23, 2011)

What’s the greatest thing about summer? Well, that would be all day, multi-day country music marathons where you can see all your favorite artists in one place! Check out our list of the summer’s best festivals and fairs.

CMA Fest June 9-12, 2011 Nashville, TN

Billed as “Country Music’s Ultimate Fan Experience,” the 2011 CMA Music Festival marks the 40^th anniversary of the event in the heart of Music City, USA. Spread across downtown Nashville, the festival brings fans and artists together for four days of 100% pure country. The purchase of a four-day pass gets you into LP Field where artists, including Reba, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Blake Sheltonand Martina McBride, take the stage each night. During the day, the free Riverfront Stage will host Gary Allan, Randy Rogers Band, Darryl Worley, Jerrod Niemann and Mel Tillis among others. Family-friendly events such as autograph signings at Fan Fair Hall and exhibits sponsored by record labels, Chevrolet, Sony Playstation and the Hank Williams International Fan Club are all a must-see part of the itinerary. Four-day passes start at $115 and you can find all the info you need at http://www.cmaworld.com/cma-music-festival.

Riverbend Festival June 10-18, 2011Chattanooga, TN

Situated on the picturesque Tennessee River in Chattanooga, the Riverbend Festival is an eclectic 9-day music festival featuring more than 100 bands across 5 stages from genres including country, bluegrass, classic rock, urban and even a few jam bands. Alan Jackson, Kellie Pickler,Miranda Lambert and the SteelDrivers will be performing alongside members from the North Mississippi All Stars and Huey Lewis and the News. The festival, which started in 1982, attracts more than 650,000 visitors each year. Family-friendly attractions, including a Children’s Village, Marketplace, Fireworks Finale and the Bluecross Riverbend Run and Walk, provide a full range of entertainment. Shuttle rides between downtown Chattanooga and the festival are available for $1, and there’s even an entrance for boaters at the Walnut Street Pier gate. General Admission pins are available at Kangaroo Express convenience stores for $30 until June 9^th when they go up to $40. One-day wristbands are available, as are reserved seats for nightly concerts. Find out more about the festival at http://www.riverbendfestival.com/.

Country Stampede June 23-26, 2011 Manhattan, KS

Located in the scenic Tuttle Creek State Park, Country Stampede enters its 16^th year as one of America’s premier music festivals. Attracting roughly 160,000 visitors in 2010, the festival is once again ready to provide country music fans with superstar concerts from 2011 headliners Brad Paisley and Lady Antebellum, as well as performances from Blake Shelton, Joe Nichols, Eric Church and Joey + Rory among others. Camping is available onsite and broken into different levels ranging from laid back to rowdy – whichever you prefer. The festival also offers plenty of attractions including interactive sponsor exhibits, arts and crafts, and karaoke in the Capitol Federal family tent. Four-day General Admission passes start at $105.00 while single-day tickets start at $65.00. To learn more, check out the official website at http://www.countrystampede.com.

California Mid-State Fair Paso Robles, CA July 20-31, 2011

Set against the beautiful backdrop of California’s mid-state wine country, this fair combines superstar concerts with the unique qualities of the Golden State. Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean and Kid Rock lead the headlining acts taking the stage in late July, while events such as the Central Coast Wine Competition, Home Brew Competition and California Mid State Fair Pageant are sure to keep visitors busy all day. Other activities and exhibits providing entertainment for the whole family include the Carnival Area, Livestock Pavilion and Equestrian Center. Theme days with discounted admission include a Kid’s Day, Senior’s Day and Armed Forces Day. Daily Adult tickets start at $8 while nightly concert ticket prices range from $25.00 – $100.00. Visit http://www.midstatefair.com for more info.

Country Thunder July 21-24, 2011 Twin Lakes, WI

The Country Thunder festival is so big it actually needs two different states to host it. Though the Arizona-based edition already passed in April, Twin Lakes, WI is gearing up for a great weekend of country music in late July. Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Martina McBride and Rascal Flatts headline this year’s festival and five on-site campgrounds, ranging from family-friendly to party-hardy and RV, make daily entrance into the festival easy. Camping is included with a four-day weekend pass. On-site amenities include a General Store (just in case you forget to bring some of those needed supplies). Four-day passes are currently $140.00 until June 20^th when the price goes up to $160.00, and single-day passes are available for $35.32 – $68.19. Get all the info at http://wisconsin.countrythunder.com.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo July 22-31, 2011 Cheyenne, WY

“The Daddy of ‘Em All,” the 115^th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo presents visitors with 11 fun-filled days of the wild, wild west. Over 40 bulls and 70 saddle and bareback broncs perform daily at the huge CFD round-up. And if that wasn’t enough, seven nights of concerts including Toby Keith,Zac Brown Band, Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, the Charlie Daniels Band and Thompson Square are there to make sure the wild ride continues long after sundown out on the range. Grand Parades through downtown Cheyenne and attractions like the inside-look at the rodeo through the “Behind the Chutes Tour,” provide visitors with a full list of activities to choose from. Plus, don’t miss the free pancake breakfasts and Chuckwagon Cookoff on select dates. Ticket and package prices vary but go to CFD’s official site for more info at http://www.cfdrodeo.com.

WE Festival Detroit Lakes, MN August 4-6, 2011

Brad Paisley, Sugarland and Rascal Flatts headline this summer’s, “Heaven in 2011,” WE Fest at Soo Pass Ranch just north of Detroit Lakes. The festival, started in 1983, boasts a fantastic lineup that also includes Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson andEaston Corbin. Attracting roughly 50,000 visitors annually, five different campgrounds provide just the right touch of communal living ranging from family-friendly to loud and proud. And get this, WE Fest actually provides concert-goers the opportunity to try out for their shot at taking the main stage through a series of karaoke contests during the months leading up to the event. Yes, that’s correct – through various karaoke competitions, three winners will be chosen to perform on the main stage at this year’s WE Fest. Three-day General Admission passes starting at $109, and single-day tickets starting at $59.00, can be purchased through the festival official website at http://www.wefest.com.

Big E Festival September 16 – October 2, 2011West Springfield, MA

“The last blast of summer,” The Big E is the Northeast’s largest fair, packing a year’s – and a region’s – worth of entertainment into 17 days. With participation from six different New England states, the Big E delivers on its goal to end summer with a bang. The Avenue of States features life-size replicas of each New England state’s original capitol where visitors can learn about what makes that state and the region unique. Daily parades, including a Mardi Gras parade with eight custom-made floats, as well as the Big E Super Circus, New England Cheese competition and family attractions like animal shows, provide guests with a great summer send-off before fall. Reba headlines the Comcast Arena Stage on October 2^nd and other artists will be announced soon. A 17-day Value Pass is $40.00 while single-day tickets are $12.00. Note- tickets for Reba are $49.00 – $69.00 but include day’s admission to the fair. For more info, visit http://www.thebige.com.

-- GAC materials posted by Country Gal