Two music festivals of note take place in Massachusetts in July: The New Bedford Folk Festival (July 4-5) along the cobblestoned streets of the old whaling port city, and the Green River Festival (July 10-12) featuring music, hot air balloons and more at the community college campus in Greenfield.
New Bedford Folk Festival
In and around Whaling National Historic Park
New Bedford, MA
www.newbedfordfolkfestival.com
The New Bedford Folk Festival, formerly known as the Greater New Bedford Summerfest, is one of the Northeast’s most pleasant, refined and enjoyable music festivals. Slated for the Fourth of July weekend in New Bedford, the family-oriented festival, now marking its 20th anniversary, takes over the cobblestoned streets of this historic New England port city –- which is part of the Whaling National Historic Park. Visitors will soak in the area’s rich maritime history as they stroll 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 and the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center — where the popular Celtic Extravaganza closes out the festival on Sunday night.
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 have some attendees running from one stage to another nearby to catch certain artists.
There will be continuous music from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on seven sound stages, ranging from the intimate National Park Garden Stage to the 1200-seat Zeiterion Theatre. Among the more than 70 featured performers are Benoit Bourque, The Boxcar Lilies, Calan, Catie Curtis, Jeff Davis, Beppe Gambetta, Vance Gilbert, Seth Glier, Raymond Gonzalez, John Hammond, Kim and Reggie Harris, David Jacobs-Strain, James Keelaghan, The Kennedys, Jeremy Kittel, Yves Lambert Trio, Patty Larkin, Jez Lowe, Troy MacGilluray & Kimberley Fraser, Danielle Miraglia, Peter Mulvey, Mustard’s Retreat, Nerissa & Katryna Nields, Jane Rothfield & Allan Carr, Tom Rush, Claudia Russell, Art Tebbetts, Hiroya Tsukomoto, and Susan Werner. In addition, a number of local artists will play the Southcoast Stage.
Besides the music, there will be some 90-artisans and arts and crafts vendors. While in New Bedford, you can also enjoy fresh seafood and sample tasty cuisine at one of the whaling city’s many Portuguese restaurants. Parking is free at the municipal garage.
Admission to the festival is quite affordable at $25 for the weekend or $20 for one-day.
Green River Festival
Greenfield Community College
(I-91, Exit 26)
Greenfield, MA
www.greenriverfestival.com
Launched as a balloon festival in 1986, the Pioneer Valley’s largest outdoor festival has expanded over the years to include lots of musical entertainment.
In addition to three stages of music throughout the weekend, balloon illuminations and hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), the Green River Festival also features artisans exhibiting their original work, dancing, plenty of food vendors, and an array of children’s activities.
Independent recording label Signature Sounds, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and whose roster features some of the most talented artists on today’s acoustic and roots music scene, has played a major part in the festival for years and took over management of it last year.
Among the artists slated to perform over the weekend are Antibalas, Kris Delmhorst, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Elephant Revival, Eilen Jewell, Langhorne Slim & The Law, Heather Maloney, Milk Carton Kids, Parker Millsap, Pine Hill Project (featuring Richard Shindell and Lucy Kaplansky), Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Joe Pug, Punch Brothers, Hayley Reardon, Red Baraat, The Stray Birds, Twisted Pine, Valerie June, and The Wood Brothers.
Discounted three-day passes may be purchased in advance for $99.99, while day tickets are also available. There is a fee for parking. As is the case with the New Bedford Folk Festival, there is no on-site camping associated with this festival.
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