Beale Street Music Festival
May 1-3 • Memphis, Tenn.
This legendary festival brings together the finest in rock, blues, R&B, and Americana music in historic downtown Memphis. thebealestreetmusicfestival.com

World Beer Festival
May 2 • Raleigh, N.C.
Beer. Reason enough. Come to Raleigh and partake of the brews from over 150 world class crafters. allaboutbeer.com
Cheat River Festival
May 2 • Albright, W.Va.
This [...]

Blue Ridge Bashes are Cleaning Up their Acts
“You learn so much about human behavior when you go through a person’s trash,” says Georgia Malki, owner of Seven Star Events, a company that works to reduce the environmental impact of one of America’s favorite guilty pleasures: festivals. At first glance, the typical festival may look environmentally [...]

It’s time once again for the annual season of celebration. Of course we’re talking about festival season! Take the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without inhibition and relish the Blue Ridge’s bounty of mountain culture. From roots-music bashes to adrenaline sports events, the Southern festival scene has something for everyone. But don’t just take it [...]

1. Mud wrestle at GAULEY FEST
American Whitewater’s Gauley Fest, the largest river festival in the world, has become known for its debauchery. Portable stripper poles, boxing matches, and the infamous mud wrestling competitions highlight the three-day festival. Grappling with other boaters in a pit of mud has become a right of passage here in the [...]

Two Photographers Travel Cross Country in Search of the Strangest Festivals
Last fall Ross McDermott loaded up an old veggie-oil-powered truck and hit the road in search of the country’s most obscure festivals. Earlier this year, he was joined by fellow photographer Andrew Owen. With cameras in hand, the duo is documenting the country’s colorful culture [...]