Impressive Lineup of Music Festivals Echo Through Ohio's Hocking Hills

LOGAN, OH, April 21, 2013 (Press-News.org) Southeast Ohio's spectacular Hocking Hills region is fast becoming a nationally known destination for music fans, as more and more significant festivals spring up among the region's stunning woodlands, caves and waterfalls. This summer, half a dozen music festivals will pierce the Hills' characteristic quiet; each offering a variety of unique styles, including roots, rock, organic, traditional and non-traditional music.

Duck Creek Log Jam, May 25-26, is a genuine, homegrown, off-the-beaten-path music festival set in Ohio's most scenic region. Guests typically stomp their feet, holler out loud, meet new friends and enjoy the great outdoors during this truly unique festival. Held at the Duck Creek Camping and Outdoor Events Area, directly adjacent to scenic Lake Logan State Park, the Log Jam features 16 live bands. Duck Creek also offers camping within its 100 acres of beautiful wooded landscape and diverse stands of trees, including a bald cypress grove. Abundant wildlife adds to the secluded feel. Tickets are $70 (including camping) with significant discounts offered for early purchase. www.duckcreeklogjam.com.

Nelsonville Music Fest, May 30-June 2, is a four-day festival set in the beautiful, rolling hills of southeast Ohio. This intimate festival lures fans who want a more personal experience, with festival goers having access to more than three dozen artists, including John Prine, Wilco and Cat Power, performing live on multiple stages. There's even a small "no-fi" cabin and a picturesque "porch" stage. Tickets start at $110 for a full weekend pass. The festival is a production of Stuart's Opera House, a historic, non-profit theater located in Nelsonville that features more than 75 events a year including live music, theater, film, educational programs and more. www.stuartsoperahouse.org, www.nelsonvillefest.org

Washboard Music Festival, June 14-15, takes place in downtown Logan. This one-of-a-kind celebration of America's Appalachian culture and heritage features more than a dozen washboard and related bands. The 14th annual Washboard Music Festival kicks off Thursday at 6 p.m. with an auction and a special concert featuring Arnett Howard and the Creole Funk Band, and runs Friday and Saturday from 12 - 11 p.m. This extraordinary FREE festival features ongoing live music, the World's Largest Washboard, free washboard factory tours, parades, rides, a beer garden and a wide variety of festival-style foods. A complete list of bands and events is available at www.washboardmusicfestival.com.

Family Roots Music & Art Festival, June 27-30, is four days and three nights of fun, music, art, camping and friendship at the beautiful Smoke Rise Ranch in Glouster, OH. Nearly two dozen bands and artists perform live music, including Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, The Spikedrivers, Fire and Flow performances by Nocturnal Arts, all-night drum circles and more. The festival is known for hosting some of the best new up and coming musicians including an eclectic mix of genres from electronic to bluegrass, rock & roll, reggae and jam bands. There are also interactive art installations, a featured artist gallery, a kids booth and other activities and events. Tickets are $85 for a four-day pass and primitive and RV camping is available for a fee.
www.familyrootsfest.com

Lilyfest, July 12-14, is a three-day celebration of gardening, music and artistry taking place among the lovely landscaped gardens of a rural private estate. It features a baker's dozen of musicians performing all three days, with emphasis on Appalachian music, such as dulcimer, Indian flute and bluegrass. Paying homage the natural beauty of daylilies, water lilies, Asiatic lilies, hostas and other popular garden plants, Master Gardeners from The Ohio State University will be on hand to offer their expertise. And festival goers have the opportunity to purchase plants at great prices. More than 70 fine artists will display and sell original works, including gardens sculpture, blown glass, jewelry, wood carving and more. www.lilyfest.com

Rootwire Music & Arts Festival, August 15-18, is an annual multi-day event that takes place at Kaeppner's Woods in Logan, OH. Rootwire is said to envelop those in attendance in a cascading flow of artistic expression that includes everything from live music to painting, installation to performance art, presentations, workshops, ceremony and more. Since it launched in 2010, Rootwire has grown to be one of the premier live music and arts events in the Midwest. It's the on-going creative project of the nationally-touring electronic/rock syndicate Papadosio, but features multiple other artists, which are announced closer to the event date. Tickets are $100-140 for three days. www.rootwirefestival.com

Located 40 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, Hocking Hills offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make every day feel like Saturday, with plenty of Admission: FREE activities. The region boasts a wide variety of affordable lodging, from camping, cabins and cottages to hotels and inns. In addition to hiking trails, parks and forests, the Hocking Hills is the zipline capital of the Midwest, with 50 ziplines being offered via three distinct guide services. Unique gift and antique shops, canoeing, horseback riding, golf, spas and more add to the allure of the Hocking Hills as the perfect place to unplug. Complete traveler information is available www.1800Hocking.com or 1-800-Hocking (800-462-5464).