Buzzbin's 2010 Monster Festival Guide
Buzzbin’s 2010 Monster Festival Guide
About: Will Flannigan is our resident festival goer. This guy knows how to party and man, does he get the job done. Here are a few fests the Buzzbin staff picked as our favorites of the summer. Enjoy & don’t forget the Birkenstocks.
BONNAROO • JUNE 10th-13th
If tromping around a 700-acre horse farm and listening to great music is your thing, come here. Bonnaroo prides itself with diverse lineups and this year’s lineup is more diverse than ever. Bonnaroo isn’t just for music fans. The festival also includes standup comics, cinema, arts, crafts, theatre and everything else a $250 ticket offers. The vibe at Bonnaroo is always peaceful and it remains one of the largest festivals in The United States. This year’s performers include: Dave Matthews Band, Conan O’Brian, Jay-Z, Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, KiD CuDi, Stevie Wonder, The Flaming Lips performing Dark Side of the Moon, Norah Jones, Tenacious D and many more. Join the 80,000+ other people coming down to Tennessee this year for the annual music pilgrimage that never disappoints. If you see the Buzzbin staff at The Roo this year, we’ll give you a free hug!
Manchester, TN. June 10-13.
ROCKIN’ ON THE RIVER • FRIDAYS THRU SEPTEMBER 3rd
Rockin’ on the River has been a Cuyahoga Falls staple for many years. This season the series is featuring some great tribute bands including Blue Moon Swamp (CCR), Almost Queen, Frontiers (Journey), Fins to the Left (Jimmy Buffett) and the Dave Matthews Tribute Band. It’s a family friendly environment, but there is also something for everybody. Rockin’ on the River is featuring a “Beers of the World” area where visitors can enjoy the best beers from around the globe. The atmosphere is great, the people are great, the bands are great so why not check it out? Remember, parking is free and motorcycles are always welcome!
The Riverfront in Downtown Cuyahoga Falls. Every Friday through September 3.
CANTON BLUES FEST • JUNE 18th-19th
The Canton Blues Fest grooves into its ninth season with some big names this year. Running June 18-19, Friday will feature slide guitar legend Elvin Bishop and John Lee Hooker, Jr., son of blues great. Saturday turns the heat up with local bands Blue Lunch and Armstrong Bearcat. Serbian singer/ guitar player Ana Popovic follows and the closer is Hot Tuna Electric, featuring Jefferson Airplane founders Jack Kaukonen and (Meigs Co. resident) Jorma Kaukonen. This will be a special couple of days! The event is free to all ages although VIP tickets are available for $45 (1 day) or $75 (2 days) and include free food, beer and private front stage seating. The event runs both days from noon until 10:30 and is centered near Tuscarawas & Cleveland Streets in downtown Canton. Just park and follow the good noise!
Downtown Canton. June 18-19.
ROCK THE LOCK • SEE BELOW
Since 2003, Lock 3 has hosted more than a million visitors from around the world. Full Moon Fever (Tom Petty), Papa Doo Run Run (surf music), Morrison Hotel (The Doors) and Benny and the Jets (Elton John) are all making appearances. It’s a family friendly environment at Lock 3 so make sure to bring the kids. The Lock is a safe environment and plenty of security is around making sure things go well. If you want to drink, bring cash!
Lock 3 in Downtown Akron. Most Fridays, Saturday & Sundays through September 3.
ALIVE10 • JUNE 23rd-26th
Now in its 23rd year, the Alive10 Christian Music Festival continues to bring together people from different churches, denominations and backgrounds for four days of music, worship, recreation and camping. Alive10 features of the best contemporary Christian performers, including Family Force 5, Relient K, David Crowder Band, Skillet, Chris Tomlin and Tobymac. Also featured are many guest speaker and seminars covering topics such as finance, health, parenting, sports as well as programs specifically for teens and men. Needless to say, this event is family friendly and alcohol free.
Atwood Lake Park, Mineral City. June 23-26.
NELSON LEDGES • SEE BELOW
Dude, check out The Ledges. It’s, like, gnarly man. The Ledges are legendary for the festivals every summer. Like Sublime? The Ledges has that. Like The Grateful Dead? The Ledges has that. Do you like classic rock? Dance music? Fire dancers? Drum circles? Jams? Camping? Duh, The Ledges has that, too! Not only is it a great spot to listen to music, The Ledges is also great for hiking. This summer the Ledges has the Ultimate Live Pink Floyd Show, The Led Zeppelin Experience, Keller Williams, Rusted Root, Third World and tons of other great bands. If you’re looking for an authentic music festival experience definitely check out Nelson Ledges this summer for some fun.
Near Garrettsville, OH. Camping and events almost all the time.
MT. EATON FIREMAN’S FESTIVAL • JUNE 26th
All Buzzbin knows about this is what our columnist Molly Lehman told us- The best fireworks in NEOhio. Great chicken. Lots of Amish. Sounds like a winner!
Mt. Eaton. June 26.
ALL GOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL • JULY 8th-11th
All Good Music Festival may be one of the best kept secrets in the festival world. Imagine camping on the side of a mountain and enjoying music on three stages. All Good is big enough to feel epic yet small enough to have a sense of intimacy with the bands as well as other festival attendees. As for the attendees, these folks are awesome! All Good Music Festival caters to a community of wonderful people that have a wonderful time! This year the Dark Star Orchestra, Lotus, Tea Leaf Green, Dr. Dog, Widespread Panic and Keller Williams are making appearances. Make sure to bring a good tent and some great stakes because the wind up there can get wild!
Masontown, WV. July 8-11.
VANS WARPED TOUR • JULY 8th
Punk rockers throw a good freaking party and the Vans Warped Tour is evidence. Put on those skate shoes, the spiked jewelry, the face paint, the hair gel and get ready to rumble! Who likes a mosh pit? We do! We promise, you’ll never be at a loss for something to look at! The people who go to The Warped Tour are as colorful as they come. This year’s lineup includes: Alkaline Trio, Andrew W.K, Dropkick Murphys, Death Punch, Mayday Parade, Motion City Soundtrack and Sum 41. If you want to have a great time without worrying about camping out or hippies, this is for you.
Time Warner Cable Amphitheater in Cleveland. July 8.
JAMBOREE IN THE HILLS • JULY 15th-18th
For a change of pace, head south to Jamboree in the Hills. If hanging out with tree huggers, hipsters and the chemically dependent isn’t your thing, just get completely trashed with country music lovers! Don’t expect many drum circles at this fest! Cornhole and Beer Bongs are more the style here. If you love America and take pride in your patriotism you’ll get along with these festival goers. This year Jamboree will be featuring Trace Adkins, .38 Special, Brooks & Dunn, Neal McCoy and Charlie Daniels Band. It usually gets pretty dang hot at this event so make sure to bring plenty of liquids- beer not included. Water is essential and so is a 10 gallon hat.
Belmont, OH. July 15-18.
ROCK N RESORT MUSIC FEST • JULY 16th-18th
The 7th annual Rock N Resort Music Festival will roar into Clay’s Park in Canal Fulton June 16-18. Clay’s Park has all the amenities to provide a great camping or RV weekend for the whole family, including swimming, paddle boats, beach volleyball, mini golf and a skate park. As usual, the focus is on great classic and modern music, featuring the biggest names from the last 40 years. This year’s headliners include Blues Traveler and Todd Rundgren (6/16), Hoobastank and Theory of a Dead Man (6/17) and Starship (6/18). You can’t miss the great local talent who will be (amply) rounding out the schedule either. Buzzbin pick- Scott Paris & Shipwreck play the music of Nirvana on the Main Stage at 1pm Sunday. Don’t miss Eric Brooke from Informer Magazine rocking the Tiki Bar Stage at 4pm the same day.
Clay’s Park in Canal Fulton. July 16-18.
PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL • JULY 16th-18th
The Pitchfork Music Festival, a festival of alternative and indie rock and hip hop, will burn down Chicago’s Union Park July 16-18. This year’s festival, the fifth annual, is headlined by Modest Mouse, LCD Soundsystem and Pavement but has many other acts to catch. Unlike other summer concerts, Pitchfork’s mission is “to create a reasonably priced summer music festival that provides an overwhelmingly positive, comfortable and fun festival experience for both attendees and musicians.” That said, day tickets are $40 (3-day tickets sold out the first week), alcohol is available and kids are welcome (10 and under free).
Chicago, IL. July 16-18.
www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com
NATIONAL HAMBURGER FESTIVAL • JULY 17th-18th
What better way is there to celebrate National Grilling Month than to go to Akron’s ninth annual National Hamburger Festival. This sucker is chock full of fun for the whole family, including face painting, games and prizes for the kids and all sorts of hamburger chowing for everyone. Live entertainment includes a magician, Barney Fife and Gomer Pyle impersonators and several tribute bands. And, of course, lots of hamburger contests and tons of hamburger eating. Not recommended for ethical vegetarians (although there are some veggie burgers available).
Lock 3 in Akron. July 17-18.
AKRON ARTS EXPO • JULY 22nd-25th
This event is actually billed as three different events over four consecutive days; the Taste of Akron on July 22 (6-10pm), Wine Tasting and Silent Auction July 23 (6-8:30) and the Arts Expo July 24 & 25 (10-6/5). The Taste of Akron features over 25 “ethnic and classic” restaurants from the area and food tickets are available for $2, $4 and $6. Wine Tasting tickets are $40 per person or $75 for couples. The Silent Auction is the same night and all items are locally donated. The Arts Expo, running Saturday and Sunday, is a juried arts festival featuring 160+ local artists, dancers, musicians, costumed characters and more. Bring the family!
Hardesty Park in Akron. July 22-25.
KENT BLUES FEST • JULY 24th-25th
The First Annual Blues Fest will be presented at almost all the bars in Kent July 24th & 25th. This is not the first time that Kentite bar and club owners have banded together to do a multi venue event like this (remember the successful Reggae Meltdown in April), so we all know this will be a ton of fun. Things kick off Friday with free shows at eight locations, including locals Colin John at Ray’s Place and Mike Lenz at Professors Pub (both starting at 9). The climax of the festival is the show at the Kent Stage Saturday featuring (15-60-75) The Numbers Band with special guests Sonny Robertson and the Howard Street Blues Band. Doors open for this free show at 7 and the show starts at 8.
Kent. July 24-25.
BURNING RIVER FEST • JULY 24th-25th
The Burning River Fest, now in its 10th year, celebrates the “watershed moment” in eco-consciousness when the polluted Cuyahoga River made national news by catching on fire in 1969. The event is intended to raise awareness and funds for environmental issues affecting the Great Lakes region and the River ecosystem specifically. Featuring live music, performance art, children’s activities, green exhibitors, boat tours, food from local chefs and restaurants, an eco-discussion stage and more. Did I mention there’s a special appearance by Great Lakes Brewing’s Christmas Ale?
Whiskey Island, Cleveland. July 24-25.
PRO FOOTBALL HOF FEST • JULY 30th-AUGUST 8th
This annual event is always a local favorite but maybe it’s time you checked it out again. The Pro Football HOF Enshrinement Festival this year has many exciting events including fireworks, hot air balloon flights, the ribs burnoff, a fashion show, a parade, concerts, races and more. Many of the events are free. The whole week is capped off with a pre-season game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at 8.
Canton. July 30- August 8.
OHIO STATE FAIR • JULY 28th-AUGUST 8th
The Ohio State Fair has an unbelievably kick ass music and entertainment schedule this year. Selena Gomez & The Scene (7/29), David Sanborn & George Duke (7/30), Weezer with Motion City Soundtrack (7/31), Jeff Dunham (8/1), Jeremy Camp (8/2), Darius Rucker (8/3), Devo with Ra Ra Riot (8/4), Heart (8/5), Kenneth “Babyface” Edwards (8/6), Sandra Lee (8/7) and Rascal Flatts with Kellie Pickler and Chris Young (8/8). I must have mentioned at least one name that made you say “whoa”. Add this to giant vegetables, award winning livestock and anything you can imagine fried on a stick and you’ve got yourself one heck of a party. It’s the State Fair. Need I say more?
Columbus. July 28- August 8.
LOLLAPALOOZA • AUGUST 6th-8th
Lollapalooza is popular every year; you’re probably tired of hearing about it. Tired of hearing about how awesome it is or how great Chicago is or how many great bands Lollapalooza has. Yup. And every year Lollapalooza makes us repeat ourselves. This year’s festival features performances by: Soundgarden, Green Day, The Strokes, Lady Gaga, The Black Keys, Devo and Slightly Stoopid. Grant Park in Chicago is awesome and it won’t get nearly as hot at this festival as some other festivals. Music is constantly playing on one of the six stages, which can lead to some sound bleeding. Also, hotel rooms may be tricky to find so make sure you make accommodations early. Other than that, it’s a great time and when you’re not listening to music or dancing you can always visit downtown Chicago!
Chicago, IL. August 6-8.
TWIN DAYS • AUGUST 6th-8th
Double your pleasure, double your fun. Well, its open to all multiples, really. So whether there are two, three or more of you we don’t care. The more the merrier.
Twinsburg. August 6-8.
AVALONFEST • AUGUST 13th-15th
While researching this festival I found the following poem on the site’s homepage: “Spring has sprung. The grass is riz. I know where the naked people is.” Yes, this is a nudist festival. I know there are some of you out there who this appeals to so I wanted to put it out there. There’s all sorts of musical entertainment, all of which I’m sure is very mellow. Avalon is a full service resort offering hiking trails, pools and a spa. Make Avalonfest 2010 your “Nakation” destination.
Paw Paw, WV. August 13-15.
HERITAGE BLUES FESTIVAL • AUGUST 13th-15th
The 2010 shows will mark the tenth year for the Wheeling, WV-based Heritage Music BluesFest. Although the lineup has still not been finalized, we can tell, based on past performers and intense calculation, that 2o10 will be the best year yet. Over the last ten years, the talent has grown from local and regional musicians to national and international acts. Last year alone saw appearances from Magic Slim and the Teardrops, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Elvin Bishop (who appears this year at the Canton Blues Fest). The festival boasts 50% increase in attendance year over year and a sellout crowd is 5000 patrons. Heritage is right downtown in Wheeling, so it’s nearby the hotels and bars where the after-jams take place. Kids are welcome, too, with 10 and under free. This one should be good!
Wheeling. August 13-15.
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION • AUGUST 15th
Got any Italian in you? No? Let Cleveland’s Little Italy for Feast of the Assumption insert some in you. It’s one giant party up and down the streets of Little Italy, so don’t miss it. Authentic Italian food is everywhere! Every business in little Italy celebrates and that means drink specials. It’s a family friendly event but it’s way more fun without those pesky kids to watch! We don’t recommend wearing anyhing crazy like stilettos as those hills can get tricky. The Feast has become one of Cleveland’s most loved parties and we can’t argue with the people. We promise you’ll have a fist-pumping good time.
Little Italy in Cleveland. August 15.
THE CARNIVAL • AUGUST 20st-21st
Last year saw over 2000 people throughout the weekend with Stemm & Bobaflex headlinging. This year is so bad ass its not even funny. Some of the best NE Ohio metal will be showcased in this two day festival, and we’re not supposed to say it, but Mushroomhead is headlining on the outdoor stage. Other national acts include Hanzel Un Gretal, Bobaflex, and more. If you’re a fan of heavy metal then this is the one for you!
Louisville (Carriage House). August 20-21
BRIMSTOCK • AUGUST 28th
Imagine a backyard party with 1000 of your closest friends – that’s Brimstock. We showed up last year with our “Wheel of Shots”, partied with Cellbound, Groove Pipe and a bunch of other bands. The place is absolute debauchery and if that’s your thing, then this is for you. This year Cellbound will be back along with Catalyst, Padded Room, Inside We die, and others. It is metal to the gills, and BYOB to boot (Coolers are welcome). 10 bucks gets you a camp spot and fest access.
Monerva. August 28th
www.myspace.com/beansbrimstock
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