Concert Industry Is Banking on a Festive Summer

By JEFF LEEDS

Published: April 11, 2008

LOS ANGELES — Rock fans across the country who can brave the heat will have ample opportunities to see acts like Jack Johnson, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and the Raconteurs take the stage in an array of unconventional settings as part of the concert industry’s increasing wager on summer music festivals.

Faced with an audience that has been atomized by the dizzying music choices available online, concert promoters are straining to book diverse shows in whatever open space is available, be it a ranch in Michigan, a soccer field in Colorado or a racetrack in Maryland.

In a slumping music business such events pack a box office punch: the top five American festivals generated a combined $60 million in ticket sales last year, according to Billboard magazine’s estimates.

Karen's note: along with the economy and rising gas prices..... and all our woes.... America doesn't want to give up the concerts. I sometimes wonder if some of the performers realize what a help they are to us all. Concerts are wonderful, but I have began to realize how much some of these performers charge to appear.... its outlandish.... comments???

Our view: 10,000 lakes and hundreds of festivals

While Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, it also is the home of hundreds of sizzling summer celebrations. Many popular ones will be happening right here in our local communities and counties.

And what better way to soak up the sun and have some fun than to visit a festival or two?

They're close by so you don't have to break the bank to pay for gas. Many activities are free, so there's less strain on the wallet. And they're a time to celebrate the good things happening locally.

City and county celebrations attract crowds for a variety of reasons — antique cars and corn dogs, tractor pulls and town parades, fireworks and face painting and everything in between.

Whatever your interests, the area's many festivals, city celebrations and county fairs are entertainment in the simplest form, yet integral to keeping communities alive because they build social capital — the involvement of people in their cities and counties.

By attending and participating in area festivals, fairs and celebrations, we're strengthening existing bonds and creating new ties to our hometowns. These events link people who maybe otherwise wouldn't come together. They draw people of all walks of life to one spot and allow people to enjoy one another's company.

They're a time to celebrate what's good about ourselves, our neighbors and our communities. Community festivals build community support.

So, whether you're looking for street dances or demolition derbies, mini doughnuts or marching bands, arts and crafts or curbside carnival rides, this year's summer festivals are sure to bring a smile to your face. In turn, you'll be showing your hometown spirit, even if it's with a little ketchup on your chin.



AREA FESTIVALS YET TO COME



Avon Spunktacular Days, today-Saturday



Paynesville Town and Country Days, Saturday-Wednesday



Foley Fun Days, Sunday-Wednesday



Big Lake Spud Fest, Thursday-June 24



Eden Valley Valley Days, Thursday-June 24



St. Cloud Granite City Days, Thursday-June 24



Sauk Rapids River Days, Thursday-June 23



Little Falls Dam Festival, June 22-24



Melrose Sesquicentennial and Freedom Fest, June 24-July 1



Annandale Fourth of July Celebration, June 29-July 4



Annandale Studebaker Day, June 30



Becker Freedom Day, June 30



St. Joseph Fourth of July Festival, July 3-4



St. Cloud Freedom Fest, July 4



Rockville Rock-Fest, July 6



Monticello Riverfest, July 12-15



Brooten Bonanza Valley Days, July 13-15



Holdingford Daze, July 13-14



Sauk Centre Sinclair Lewis Days, July 15-21



Richmond River Lake Days, July 19-22



Freeport Sacred Heart Parish Festival, July 21



Cold Spring Hometown Pride Day, July 27-28



Clearwater Heritage Festival, Aug. 3



Albany Heritage Day, Aug. 4



Royalton Platte River Day, Aug. 4



Richmond Bluegrass and Old Time Festival, Aug. 9-12



Kimball Days, Aug. 10-12



Maple Lake Days of Old, Aug. 18



Rice Family Fun Days, Aug. 18



Annandale Fiddlers Festival, Aug. 19



Pierz Oktoberfest, Aug. 26.