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Dust off your sensible shoes or boots and grab the sunscreen, a good hat and maybe a rain poncho. It's music festival time!

The well-known celebration of all things country music is gearing up for its 36th year. The all-ages festival will be going on, rain or shine, Thursday, Aug. 2 through Saturday, Aug. 4. You can 

 to not miss one second of the fun. Each person and vehicle will be charged when camping. 

 will include Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line and more.

 If you're looking for a true country experience on a slightly smaller scale, head down to Farmington on Sept. 14 and 15 to round out the summer at 

. The line up is still to be determined, but you can still 

 and reserve your camping spot at the Dakota County Fairgrounds.

If you like jazz: Twin Cities Jazz Festival

 is set for June 21-23 at over 20 locations around Lowertown in St. Paul. The event is free and open to the public, but you can purchase a VIP pass at $100 for a day or $175 for both days. The pass gives you special access to otherwise off-limits areas in the festival as well as refreshments. They also accept 

. Saxophonist Tia Fuller, Houston Person and the Emmet Cohen Trio and Nayo Jones are just a few of the headliners, but dozens of other artists will be performing all weekend long.

If you want to get in touch with nature as well as shake it up, 

. Held at Harmony Park over Labor Day weekend, the outdoor festival will feature a variety of genres with headliners including Wookiefoot, Arrested Development and The Polish Ambassador and The Diplomatic Scandal. Camping is a big part of the festival, as is the effort to keep the event clean and green. Guidelines for cutting down on waste are posted on 

. Tickets are already in their fourth round of sales at $140 each.

If you like films (with your music): Square Lake Film and Music Festival

 at this festival taking place Aug. 11, just outside of Square Lake County Park. General advance tickets are $35 — kids 12 and under are free — however, if you're confident in your biking skills, you can pre-register to 

 from the Twin Cities. As part of the official schedule bikers plan to leave from The Hub Bike Co-op in Minneapolis and Cycles for Change in St. Paul at 10 a.m., gates open at 2 p.m. After you get there, enjoy a day full of original films and musical stylings from Lovers on the Balcony, Night Moves, Lady Midnight and more.

If you like funk: Sociable Summer Presents Funk Fest

Get funky for free at Funk Fest this Sunday, June 10. You read right, the event is free — unless you're planning to drink, in which case wristbands are $5. A few other things to keep in mind before heading over to Fillmore Street Northeast in Minneapolis for the show, the entire event is cash only so make sure you make a stop at the bank beforehand. But if you do forget, don't sweat, there will be ATMs at the venue. The event will be hosted by Sean McPherson of The Current and feature musical acts by New Sound Underground, ASTRALBLAK FKA ZULUZULUU, Alex Rossi and Nooky Jones. The show will go on regardless of weather, so check 

 will feature big names and big sounds from Chastity Brown, Feist and Father John Misty — just to name a few. Presented by The Walker Arts Center and our friends over at 

, the event will take place overlooking the recently renovated Walker Sculpture Garden on June 16. Tickets are $74 dollars — VIP tickets are $300 and give you access to the Walker's rooftop terraces among other goodies.

If you like food with your music: Music in Mears

Throughout the month of June, Music in Mears will be pairing local food and brews with local tunes. Held at Mears Park in St. Paul, the music series is held every Thursday June through August — with the exception of July 5. Music and refreshment sales start at 6 p.m. and go until 9:30 p.m., the shows themselves are free. These are outdoor concerts so in the case of inclament weather, you'll want to check 

their official Facebook page for possible cancelations

 on their website. Come hungry and try it all!

If you're ready to rock — and camp — head to the 27th annual 

 in Walker, Minn., on July 18-21. The "Pre-Jam Party" will feature headliner Hairball, with Bret Michaels, Kansas, Kid Rock and Tesla playing the following days. You can choose from a variety of 

 with general admission tickets priced at $130 in advance — keep in mind there is also a fee for bringing your own lawn chair. 

 can, and probably should, be purchased in advance if you want to have a battle plan ready.

If you like blues: Bayfront Blues Festival

Catch a refreshing breeze off the blue(ish) waters of Lake Superior while you enjoy over 20 performers at this annual 

. In its 30th year, the festival goes from Aug. 10-12 at the Bayfront Festival Park. Again, you can pick from a 

, with one-day general admission tickets on sale for $45. Headliners include Don Bryant featuring the Bo-Keys, William Bell and Bernard Allison.
 


If you like classical: Minnesota Beethoven Festival

Classical fans don't just get a weekend, but 

. The festival celebrating Ludwig van Beethoven will consist of nine separate performances at different venues across Winona. The first performance is July 2 — the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra — and the festival finishes with a July 22 performance from the Minnesota Orchestra with Osmo Vanska. 

 single tickets for each of the events you want to attend, $25, or $21 for students and seniors. Or you can buy packages that contain tickets to 8, 7 or 6 of the concerts. There will also be a free concert by the Minnesota Orchestra at Lake Park on July 15 — tis tradition.

If you like big band: Vintage Music Festival

 at this July 28 festival in Northfield. Southside Aces, Twin Cities Brass Band and the Metro Brass will be 

, but several fan favorites will be returning, including the Minnesota State Band — the only remaining State Band in the U.S. Bring your dancing shoes since many of the bands will be serving up jazz and swing as well as big band. The event is free and will be rocking downtown from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Bring on the brass!

If you like bluegrass: Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival

Held at El Rancho Manana Campground and Riding Stable in Richfield, this 

, running from August 9-12, offers great music as well as workshops. Featuring Becky Buller Band, Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, Henhouse Prowlers and more, 

 are now available for $85-$95, ages 12 and under get in for free. If you have your own banjo, fiddle, bass, guitar or mandolin bring it with and learn something new at 

the workshops being held during the festival

 — only seven pre-registered musicians can attend. You can sign up after entering the grounds, which allows for camping during the event as well.

 If you want more activity with your festival, float on down to the banks of Prairie Island Park for the 

 Sept. 27-30. As the name implies, there will be boats! Guided canoe trips will head towards the backwaters Friday and Saturday during the festival — boats and life jackets provided. This fest has a heavy focus on fun and keeping the area clean after the fans leave. They also have "zero tolerance for stupidity," so make sure you 

, but weekend passes include camping and kids 16 and under are free.

If you like roadtrips: Some festivals happening outside of Minnesota

Chicago Blues Festival

 in Spearfish and Rapid City, S.D., July 1-15.

Sara Porter

Author

No summer is complete without taking in some live music under the sun or stars. To help you achieve your full summer potential we've pulled together a collection of listening and dancing opportunities.

Summer full of festivals: Your guide to music fests around Minnesota

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