Okay, so I was messing around online the other day, trying to plan some kinda epic summer getaway. I was thinking, “What’s more American than a good ol’ summer festival?” So, I dove headfirst into researching the most exciting summer festivals in the US. Let me tell you, it was a journey!
First, I just Googled “best summer festivals USA.” Super basic, I know, but you gotta start somewhere, right? I got a bunch of lists – music festivals, food festivals, art festivals… it was overwhelming. I quickly realized I needed to narrow things down. I started thinking about what I actually like. I’m a big music fan, but I’m also a sucker for unique cultural experiences.
So, my next move was to dig a little deeper. I remembered hearing about Coachella, officially called the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, down in California. Seems like everyone and their mom goes to Coachella, but I wanted something a bit more… authentic, you know? Something with a bit of history. So, I decided to look into music festivals with some serious staying power.
That’s when I stumbled upon The Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival. Apparently, it started way back in 1953! Can you believe that? It bills itself as “America’s Longest-Running Music Festival.” I had to check it out. I started digging up articles and videos about it. It looked way more laid-back and down-to-earth than some of the mega-festivals. Plus, I dig the history behind it.
But, honestly, sticking to just music felt a bit limiting. I wanted something that screamed “America!” I started thinking about unique American traditions. That’s when I got the idea to look into pow wows. I knew next to nothing about them, but the idea of experiencing Native American culture firsthand seemed really cool.
I found a bunch of resources online about pow wows – what they are, where they’re held, what to expect. I learned that they’re basically celebrations of Native American culture, with singing, dancing, food, and crafts. I was instantly hooked. I spent hours researching different pow wows happening this summer, trying to find one that felt right.
Then I started to think about something a little different: state fairs. I know, I know, it sounds kinda cheesy. But I haven’t been to one in ages, and there’s something undeniably American about giant pumpkins, deep-fried everything, and rickety carnival rides. So, I started checking out state fair schedules in different states.
Eventually, I kinda threw my hands up in the air. There were just too many options! So, I decided to create a simple spreadsheet. I listed all the festivals I’d found – Coachella, The Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival, a couple of pow wows, and a few state fairs. Then, I added columns for things like location, dates, ticket prices, and what kind of experience I was looking for.
After filling out the spreadsheet, it became a lot clearer what I wanted. Ultimately, I decided I was really interested in learning more about Native American culture, so I started looking at the pow wows more seriously. I ended up finding a pow wow in Oklahoma that looks absolutely amazing. I haven’t booked my trip yet, but it’s definitely at the top of my list!
The takeaway? Don’t just settle for the obvious choices. Dig a little deeper, think about what you’re really interested in, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Summer’s short, so make the most of it!
