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Get in the Groove!

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Three more great music fests for the whole family, plus family music camps!

Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Going on its 34th year, Telluride Bluegrass draws some 10,000 devotees to this remote ski town in southwestern Colorado for top-tier artists, lively kids’ programs, and unlimited outdoor activities. The setting is spectacular Town Park, surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, waterfalls, hiking and biking trails. Warning: Telluride is a twisty six-hour drive, or an additional flight, from Denver. Telluride, Colorado; June 21-24, 2007; 800/624-2422; www.bluegrass.com; adult day passes from $60, children under 13 free.

The Sounds

Despite the festival name, there’s very little traditional bluegrass (for that, head to Telluride’s sister festival RockyGrass, near Boulder). The roster typically ranges from bluegrass-trained mavericks (Sam Bush, Bèla Fleck) to jam bands (Yonder Mountain String Band) to pop troubadours (Bonnie Raitt, Jewel).

The Digs

Coveted campsites on the festival grounds are doled out by lottery in the fall of the prior year. Nearby campgrounds offer shuttle service, and resort condos and hotels are pricey but plentiful (for listings, see www.telluride.com).

Calling All Kids

Arizona’s Living Folklore clown troupe offers puppetry and a talent show.

It Happened Here

In 1999, the entire town of Telluride blacked out while festival favorite John Cowan sang "Dark as a Dungeon."

Wheatland Music Festival

This earthy gathering held at an old farmstead northeast of Grand Rapids—with a dance pavilion, rolling hay fields, and pine and poplar woods—tries to preserve and pass on traditional music, dance, and folk arts. Do-si-do at a family square dance, learn African drumming, and watch mandolin and guitar makers at work. Remus, Michigan; September 7-9, 2007; 989/967-8879; www.wheatlandmusic.org; adult day passes from $25, kids from $2.

The Sounds

Folk, bluegrass, blues, swing, Cajun, and gospel. One stage is devoted to dance instruction and evening dances, from swing to the Cajun two-step.

The Digs

The nearest hotels/motels are 20 to 30 minutes away—try the Baymont Inn & Suites (5858 E. Pickard St., Mount Pleasant; 877/229-6668; www.baymontinns.com; doubles from $130, including breakfast) or the Holiday Inn (1005 Perry Ave., Big Rapids; 800/315-2621; www.holidayinn.com; doubles from $109, including breakfast)—so most people camp. Facilities are basic: portable toilets, picnic tables, and faucets for well water. One camping area is designated for families, another for anyone who seeks a quiet night’s sleep.

Calling All Kids

A hilltop children’s center has a full slate of hands-on activities, from playing bones to making wind chimes. Teenagers can hone their Hacky Sack skills, make hemp jewelry, or take the stage at their own open mic. At the kids’ and teens’ craft markets, young artist-entrepreneurs can sell their own jewelry.

It Happened Here

On several occasions, the Northern Lights have performed for audiences while acts played onstage.

Merlefest

Hosted since 1988 by legendary guitar picker Doc Watson in memory of his late son, Eddie "Merle" Watson, this gathering—spread over a community college campus in the Blue Ridge foothills, an hour west of Winston-Salem—has grown into a major showcase for Americana artists and fans. With alcohol prohibited and no smoking in concert areas, Merlefest is strictly, and proudly, rated G. Wilkesboro, North Carolina; April 24-27, 2008; 800/343-7859; www.merlefest.org.; adult day passes from $35, children under 13 free.

The Sounds

Nashville royalty like Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris play here, as do big names in bluegrass, country, acoustic blues, and roots rock.

The Digs

Except for an RV lot, accommodations are off-site and should be booked early—upwards of 80,000 people attend each year. If you’re packing a tent, check out campgrounds run by the Wilkesboro Fire Department (700 Snyder St.; 336/667-2391; tent sites from $65) and Wilkes Family YMCA (1801 YMCA Blvd.; 336/838-3991; tent sites from $120). For a real roof over your heads, try the Holiday Inn Express (1700 Winkler St.; 336/838-1800; www.hiexpress.com; doubles from $200) or Hampton Inn (1300 Collegiate Dr.; 336/838-5000; www.hamptoninn.com; doubles from $99).

Calling All Kids

In addition to the standard festival fare of clowns, crafts, and storytelling, kids can step right up to the old-time Alberti Flea Circus. A tent for quiet family R&R has cots and changing tables.

It Happened Here

In 2001, Dolly Parton serenaded a record crowd of 25,000.

Music Camps for the Whole Clan

If your family wants to learn to play—not just listen—consider a week at a music camp. More and more summer programs are being held at regular overnight camps and on college campuses. For traditional folk music and dance, check out the family weeks at Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth, Massachusetts (www.pinewoods.org) and Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia (www.augustaheritage.com). At the Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville, North Carolina (www.swangathering.org), 6- to 12-year-olds can join a kids’ program while Mom and Dad immerse themselves in Celtic, dulcimer, or fiddle-and-banjo music—each six-day session has a different focus. During family week at Cazadero Performing Arts Camp in Cazadero, California (www.cazadero.org), campers can choose from a wide range of classes. Conga drumming or a rock-guitar lesson, anyone?

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