A couple of music festivals of note take place in Massachusetts in July: the Greater New Bedford Summerfest, July 4-5, along the cobblestoned streets of the old whaling city, and the Green River Festival features music, hot air balloons and more at the community college campus in Greenfield, July 17-18.

Greater New Bedford Summerfest 2009
July 4-5
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford, Massachusetts
www.newbedfordsummerfest.com

One of the Northeast’s most pleasant and enjoyable music festivals takes over the cobble-stoned streets of this historic New England port city for one weekend each July, enabling visitors to soak in the city’s rich maritime history (Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick here) by strolling its streets while listening to world-class contemporary and traditional acoustic performers under tents set up along them and in the air-conditioned comfort of the fabulous New Bedford Whaling Museum’s auditorium. As in years past, this year’s schedule includes a wealth of talented performers, many of them performing in song-swap style workshops with folks whom they may have never even met, making for unique musical pairings. It also poses a dilemma of choices that may prompt you to consider running from one stage to another to catch certain artists.

The festival kicks off on Friday night, July 3, with a concert inside the whaling museum (for which there’s a separate ticket, $10 in advance or $15 at the gate) featuring Maria Muldaur & the Red Hot Bluesiana Band, Ellis Paul and Peter Mulvey. Six stages, ranging from intimate ones with seating for 100 or less to the 1,200-seat “Custom House Stage,” will be running throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Featured performers include Roy Book Binder, Benoit Bourque, Bua, Susie Burke and Dave Surrette, Ronny Cox, Dala, Antje Duvekot, Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart, Cliff Eberhardt, Jonathan Edwards Trio, Tim Erickson, Stephen Fearing, Bob Franke, Gadelle, John Gorka, Livio Guardi, The Kennedys, Louis Killen, Claire Lynch, The Lovell Sisters, Harry Manx, Danielle Miraglia, Peter Mulvey, Ellis Paul, Red Hen, Red Molly, Le Reveillons!, Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan, Richard Shindell, Art Tebetts, Daniel and Luc Thonen, and more.

In addition to the music, more than 80 artisans and arts and crafts vendors will set up booths along the cobblestoned streets, as well as inside the Whaling Museum. Admission to the festival is quite affordable at $15 for a two-day wristband or $10 for one-day. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with an adult.

While in New Bedford, you also can enjoy fresh seafood and sample some tasty Portuguese cuisine at one of the whaling city’s many Portuguese restaurants. Parking is free at the municipal garage.

2009 Green River Festival
July 17-18
Greenfield Community College
(I-91, Exit 26)
Greenfield, Massachusetts
www.greenriverfestival.com

Launched as a balloon festival in 1986 and expanded over the years to include lots of musical entertainment, this year’s event celebrates the 15th anniversary of Signature Sounds, the independent recording label formed by Jim Olsen and Mark Thayer to promote the burgeoning acoustic music scene around Northampton, in the Pioneer Valley, with a special concert on Friday evening, July 17.

Performing on Friday night will be the following artists from the Signature Sounds roster: Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, Chris Smither, Crooked Still, Eilen Jewell, Winterpills, Richard Shindell, Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry, Mark Erelli, Caroline Herring, Kris Delmhorst, Peter Mulvey, Sometymes Why, and The Sacred Shakers. Saturday’s musical lineup includes Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Kathleen Edwards, CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Justin Townes Earle, Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave., Sweetback Sisters and Swing Caravan.

Besides the music on two stages, there will be hot air balloon rides (Friday and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. and Saturday morning at 6 a.m., weather permitting), a dance tent, artisans exhibiting their original work, plenty of food vendors, and games, music and other activities for children.

Weekend passes are $45 if purchased online by July 12 and $60 at the gate. Daily tickets also will be sold at the gate. Children 12 and under will be admitted free to the rain-or-shine festival.