In the 1960s, protest events and concerts during the Vietnam Era drew massive crowds united by the messages of musicians such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and John Lennon. The Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 drew 400,000 young people, billed as three days of peace and music. Anti-war music inspired protestors and Jimi Hendrix' rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock may be the most famous live festival performance of all time.
Today, the multi-day music festival lives on, and though the connection to protesting is all but gone, the peace-loving element is still very much a part of the vibe. Some camping musical festivals are for good causes, such as the Newberry Event Music and Arts Festival to Defeat M.S. in La Pine. Others, such as Sasquatch!, have become famous due to the incredible music lineups concert promoters provide, year after year.
This summer in the Pacific Northwest, camping music festivals will inspire crowds to travel long distances for an incredible music experience surrounded by natural beauty. From the electronic What The Festival in Durfur, to the Northwest String Summit in North Plains, camping at a festival offers a getaway to another world and the ultimate musical encounter.
May 27 to 30 | Sasquatch! Music Festival | Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash.
June 17 to 20 | What the Festival | Wolf Run Ranch, Durfur
June 16 to 19 | 4 Peaks Music Festival | Rockin A Ranch, Bend
June 24 to 25 | Paradiso Festival | Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash.
July 14 to 17 | Northwest String Summit | Horning's Hideout, North Plains
July 15 to 17 | Wildwood MusicFest | Roshambo Artfarm, Willamina
July 20 to July 24 | Newberry Event Music & Arts Festival | La Pine
July 29 to 31 | Oregon Jamboree Music Festival | Sweet Home
August 5 to 7 | Broke Down Soakdown | Summer Lake Hot Springs, Paisley
August 5 to 7 | Watershed Festival | Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash.
August 5 to 7 | Pickathon | Pendarvis Farm, Happy Valley
August 12 to 14 | Willamette Country Music Festival | Brownsville
September 1 to 4 | Dave Matthews Caravan | Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash