Accessible Summer Music Festivals

 

Summer music festivals have come a long way since their inception during the medieval period. Today’s festivals are large-scaled productions, often involving dozens of bands, tens of thousands of patrons and millions of dollars in revenue. Festivals can range in size from a few hundred to thousands. There are over 2,500 festivals being offered this summer. With so many choices, it is important to find the right festival for you. Here is your 2008 summer music festival guide.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (April 25-27): Bursting onto the scene in 2005, Coachella has quickly become a critically acclaimed festival that takes place annually in the desert of Indio, California, 125 miles east of Los Angeles. This festival is geared towards alternative and indie music, featuring some of the biggest acts in each genre. This year’s lineup includes Roger Waters (of Pink Floyd fame), My Morning Jacket, the Raconteurs, Portishead, and the Verve.

·         Price: Daily ticket $90, Weekend pass $269

·         Entertainment: Coachella is the leading west coast festival due to its mainstream music acts and selections from the indie scene. Coachella also offers large sculptural art on display from up and coming artists.

·         Weather: Located in the desert, festival-goers can expect high temperatures and dry air. Daily temperatures often surpass 100 degrees. The festival grounds offer little cloud cover or shade.

·         Size: Coachella attracts roughly 25,000 festival-goers. It is mid-sized and festival goers often compliment the ample elbow room at shows and around the food and beverage locations.

·         Accessibility:  Coachella offers disability parking access right next to the main stage. It features accessible toilets throughout the festival grounds and the terrain is clear of major obstacles.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (April 25-27, May 1-4):  New Orleans may have been devastated by hurricane Katrina, but the music scene on the bayou continues to thrive. This springtime festival, held annually since 1970, is hosted on two consecutive weekends in April/May offers impressive lineups of local and national talent. This year’s entertainment includes Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Buffet and Carlos Santana among hundreds of others.

·         Price: Daily ticket $30-$40.

·         Entertainment: Jazz Fest showcases some of the biggest names in all of music and 12 different stages to view the action. While there, take advantage of one of the most culturally-rich cities in America - the world famous French Quarter is just 10 miles from the festival grounds.

·         Weather: Jazz Fest is in April and May, before the stifling New Orleans summer months. Expect warm temperatures with daily highs in the 80s.

·         Size: Jazz Fest is one of the largest festivals in the country, so be prepared to battle thousands of others for prime viewing areas, and in food and beverage lines.

·         Accessibility: Jazz Fest is among the leaders in accessibility on the festival circuit. Jazz Fest makes a concerted effort to ensure all patrons with disabilities have equal access.  Great features include accessible shuttles, free wheelchair rental, and all vender and food counters are set at wheelchair height. Festival staff will even assist patrons by carrying purchased food and beverage back to a designated picnic area upon request.

Country Music Association Music Festival (June 5-8): Country music fans won’t find a bigger and better music festival than the CMA Music Festival. Billed as the “ultimate fan experience,” this festival just outside of Nashville gives fans a real opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names in country music. The 4 day event features autograph signings and a special photo line which allows patrons to step up to the stage and snap pictures of their favorite artists.

·         Price: Weekend pass: $145

·         Entertainment: The CMA Music Festival features one stage for night shows and several for daytime music. The 2008 lineup has not been released, but past performers include Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton,  Garth Brooks,  Shania Twain and Martina McBride.

·         Weather: Nashville in the summer is quite toasty. Expect day time temperatures in the 90s with the setting sun cooling things down to the mid 60s.

·         Size: In 2007, the festival set the record for aggregate attendance for weekend visitors with 191,154. With numbers like that, the battle for stage viewing and refreshments is a threat. Arrive early and take advantage of allowables such as unopened bottles of water to beat the heat and the crowd.

·         Accessibility:  CMA is a highly accessible festival. Entrances to all facilities are ADA compliant and special parking permits can be bought on a first come-first served basis. Reserved seating is made available at all stages. Accessible arrangements including wheelchair rentals, listening devices, and text telephones can be made through the Nashville Convention Center.

Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival (June 5-8): Wakarusa began in 2004 and instantly became a major success. Located in Lawrence, Kansas in the Clinton State Park, Wakarusa draws attendees from all 50 states and several foreign countries. Despite its financial success, Wakarusa has kept its operation simple and customer-friendly, establishing a dedicated fan base. This year’s artists include the Flaming Lips, Emmylou Harris, the Mickey Hart Band and Leftover Salmon.

·         Price: Weekend pass: $144

·         Entertainment: Wakarusa offers 5 stages with live music running till nearly 5am. Additional activities include swimming in Clinton Lake, yoga sessions, disc golf and hiking in Clinton State Park.

·         Weather: The Kansas heat comes typically shows itself during this time. Prepare for 90 degree days before cooling down to mid 60s at night.

·         Size: Wakarusa draws 10-15,000 weekend visitors. The grounds are spread out enough to where festival-goers don’t wait in many lines. Main stages are crowded for larger acts.

·         Accessibility: Wakarusa is in the middle of the pack when it comes to providing accessibility for people with disabilities. Accessible camping is offered a short distance from the main entrance, and reserved seating areas are provided at all stages.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (June 15-18):  Perhaps the most well-known festival that has emerged in recent years is the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Bonnaroo takes place on a 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee about 60 miles outside of Nashville and sells over 75,000 tickets each summer. Known for its eclectic musical acts, this year’s expansive lineup includes Pearl Jam, Metallica, Jack Johnson, Kanye West and Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) with Allison Kraus.

·         Price: Weekend pass $244.50.

·         Entertainment: Bonnaroo is renowned for its musical diversity which features leading bands from many genres. It offers a unique comedy and movie tent which showcase national talents and feature films.

·         Weather: Tennessee in June is extremely hot and the heat begins at sunrise, often waking festival-goers with stifling heat. Daily temperatures feature highs in the 90 degree range.

·         Size: Lots of people means long lines for everything from food and beverage to bathrooms and merchandise. Expect to combat lines all weekend.

·         Accessibility: Bonnaroo is one of the most accessible festivals in the country and includes accessible shuttles from the airport, accessible security checkpoints and reserved seating at all tents and stages. Additionally, Bonnaroo provides wheelchair rentals, and available sign language teams (upon request). One drawback is the distance from the accessible camping area to the stage which could be as long as 2/3 mile.

Rothbury Music Festival (July 3-6): New to the festival world, Rothbury boasts an impressive collection of musical talent that rivals any on the festival circuit. Located in Rothbury, Michigan, 200 miles from Detroit, this 4 day eco-friendly festival is set to rock over the 4^th of July weekend. Rothbury is leading the way by mixing music with a dedication to offsetting most of the environmental impact that accompanies the festival. The inaugural lineup is sure to please many music fans of any genre. The initial lineup includes Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, Snoop Dogg, 311, John Mayer, and Phil Lesh (of Phish fame).

Price: Weekend pass $244.75

Entertainment: In addition to its diverse musical talent, Rothbury will feature a Think Tank with leading scientists, business leaders, political advocates and entertainers. A cabaret will be on display and a dome featuring yoga classes, DJ lessons and more will be open until late at night.

Weather: The summer time in Rothbury is quite pleasant. Daily temperatures typically fall in the upper 70s to lower 90s. Nighttime lows can be chilly and dip down into the 50s and 60s.

Size: Organizers are anticipating an Independence Day crowd of 40-50,000.

Accessibility: Festival organizers are promising an accessibility-leading event. The producers have hired an access specialist to ensure federal compliance. More information will be made available closer to the event.