Ultimate
th e
Guide to
Spring
festivals
EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY THIS SUMMER by
Erica Block
Outdoor festivals are one of summer’s truest pleasures and the South hosts some of the finest festivals and cultural celebrations in the country. Whether you prefer a big gathering of thousands or an affair that’s familyfriendly, the region offers opportunities aplenty. Need help choosing which one(s) to attend? The festivals and fairs highlighted below are worthy of checking out. This list caters to a wide range of tastes, so there should be something for everyone down south.
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL New Orleans, LA April 24 – May 3 nojazzfest.com (504) 410-4100
“Jazz Fest,” as it is called, is a cultural institution of New Orleans and a joyous celebration of the sights, sounds, and culture of the city. NOLA is known as the birthplace of jazz and when the NOLA Jazz Fest debuted back in 1970, the likes of Mahalia Jackson and Duke Ellington were the first to perform. Jazz Fest embodies its original vision and delivers a stacked musical lineup without fail, every year. The Who, The Meters, and Elton John are among the headliners in 2015.
BEALE STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL Memphis, TN / May 1-3 memphisinmay.org/musicfestival (901) 525-4611
The Beale Street Music Festival usually features an eclectic lineup of performers from many different musical genres. Artists who have performed at the festival in previous years include Bob Dylan, Al Green, The Black Keys, Kid Rock, and The Foo Fighters.
BAYOU COUNTRY SUPERFEST Baton Rouge, LA /May 23-24 bayoucountrysuperfest.com
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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. New Orleans, Louisianna Photo by Takahiro Kyono
The Bayou Country Superfest is a spirited country music celebration held at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. In true LSU Tiger fashion, festival goers are encouraged to arrive early to participate in LSU’s longstanding tailgating tradition.
HANG OUT FEST Gulf Shores, AL / May 15-17 hangoutmusicfest.com info@HangoutMusicFest.com
Once a small festival held along the Alabama coastline, Hang Out Fest recently entered into a joint venture with the same company that produces Coachella. It will be interesting to see if Hang Out Fest retains its relaxed vibe and killer lineup, or if SoCal will extend its corporate influence to Gulf Shores, Ala. and make the festival more Coachella-like. The Foo Fighters, Beck, and the Zac Brown Band are all slated to perform this year.
WAKARUSA MUSIC AND CAMPING FESTIVAL 2015 Ozark, AR / June 4-7 wakarusa.com (785) 749-3434
This summer marks Wakarusa’s 12th year in existence and the lineup of artists who are slated to play will not disappoint. This festival, located in a cozy nook of the Ozarks, has retained its bohemian spirit and sticks to its original grassroots ethos. While Wakarusa does offer non-musical activities like Yoga and a water slide, the weekend’s entertainment revolves around the music. The description of Wakarusa on the festival’s website says it best by summing up Wakarusa as “an experience that was created BY music lovers, FOR music lovers... never corporate, always progressive.”
FORECASTLE Festival Louisville, KY / July 17-19 forecastlefest.com
Founded in 2002 by Louisville native JK McKnight, the Forecastle