So my friends, the holidays are upon us. We are heading towards a brand new year. With thermometer heading in a southerly direction, well below the freezing mark, one starts to think about the warmer weather and planning your summer vacation. I know some of you hope to be lying on a beach, somewhere soaking up rays and sipping Pina Coladas. Some might end up in the mountains for canoeing, hiking and camping. Others may gravitate to a theme park, staying at high priced hotels, eating expensive foods ($7.00 sodas, $10.00 burgers etc.), enjoying scary rides, and seeing mouse ears at every turn. All of the above can be wonderful experience. As for me, my vacations tend to revolve around some of the thousands of music festivals, which appear, as the weather gets warm.

Here is a guide to some of my favorite music festivals. For me, Merlefest is the kick-off. Merlefest is a four-day event and takes place in Wilksboro, North Carolina, on the last weekend in April. Named for the amazing finger-picking style guitar player, Merle Watson. Merle Watson died in 1985 when he rolled his farm tractor down a steep hillside.  In 1987 musician friends of Merle gathered together at the Wilkes Community College.  Now it is considered one of the most renowned and respected festivals of all. You will here the finest musicians in folk, bluegrass, and country. Last years lineup consisted of Roseanne Cash, Patty Loveless, Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison, Natalie MacMaster, Sam Bush, Donna The Buffalo, Vince Gill, The Indigo Girls, Jim Lauderdale, Mindy Smith, Hot Tuna and many others. Oh yes of course, Merle's dad will be there, the incomparable Doc Watson. Amongst the many stars there are several contests for newcomers contests include songwriting, guitar, banjo, mandolin, country, bluegrass and gospel. You are sure to hear some great music there. As a matter of fact, Gillian Welch was once a contest winner. Merlefest has an amazing lineup for this year as well.

If you do head to North Carolina, I suggest arriving a few days early or staying after. Since Merlefest is nestled in mountains, there are many activities and sites. There's hiking to Grandfather Mountain, and Linville Falls, many streams and lakes for fishing and canoeing, or just a beautiful drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway. All this makes Merlefest on of my favorites.

As June arrives country fans head towards Nashville, Tn., for CMA Music Fest. This is also a four-day event, although the festivities go on all week.

CMAFEST formally called Fan Fair has been going on for the past 32 years and is going strong. Here, the fans get an up close and personal look at their favorite country music stars, as well as hearing live music around the clock. One great way to enjoy the CMAFEST is to join fan clubs of the stars. Most stars have fan club parties where you can have a breakfast, lunch or dinner with the star as well as a Q and A and in most cases a member only private concert. Main concerts start at the Riverfront Stage at 10:00 am till 6:00pm then it's to your car or to the shuttle of take a walk over the bridge to the Adelphia Coliseum concerts start from 7:00 till around 11:00. If that isn't enough music for you, there are many after hours bars that play music till the wee hours. If you are an autograph hunter, Fanfair is the place. Fans lineup at the Nashville Convention Center to meet the stars and get autographs. There is also the City of Hope charity softball game. Here, the country music stars donate there time and play softball to raise money for the charity. To me this is one of the highlights of the trip. Just bring lots of sun block. Visits to the Grand Ol' Opry,  historic Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame are an absolute must.

In July, we have the Falcolnridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale, N.Y. This festival has been going on for 12 years and is one of the most fun festivals. Not only is it fun for the fans but for the artists, as well. The best place to stay is in the campgrounds. Many artists camp, along with the festival-goers, carrying guitars, singing around the campfires. This is truly the heart of the festival. This festival was a three-day festival but in 2003 they increased it to a four days event. Another reason why this festival has such a cool vibe is that the first afternoon is dedicated to new and unsigned artists. This is a great way to hear some future rising stars.

August brings us the granddaddy of them all, The Newport Folk Festival.This festival was started  in the 1959 by George Wein, who also is the founder of the Newport Jazz festival. The festival is now sponsored by the Apple & Eve & Border Books. Located at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island, brings some of the top acts in folk, bluegrass, rock, gospel, world music, and Americana. In recent years the like of Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Kelly Willis, Willie Nelson, John Prine, Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, John Hiatt, Bruce Cockburn, Joan Armatrading, Arlo Guthrie, Aimee Mann, Sam Bush and hundreds of others.

Again you may want to stay a few days before or after the festival. Newport offers many other activities, such as boating fishing, swimming along with some fine restaurants. As September rolls around it's time to head north for the Boston Folk Festival. This is one of the newest festivals on the circuit. Located on the Umass campus in Boston and put on by WUMB Radio. Even though this festival has been around for less than 10 years, each year the level of artist has increased. In past years artists includes Richard Thompson, Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris, Paul Brady, The Waifs, Greg Brown, Richard Shindell and many others. In 2003 the Boston Folk Festival started offFriday evening with a songwriting contest and will continue in 2004.

As you frequent the various festivals the one thing you'll find is that each festival has it's own personality. Whether it is the style of music, type of crafts or even the foods they offer, people you encounter or maybe it's just the surrounding area that sucks you in. The absolute truth is no matter whether sun is out or if it happens to rain, you will have an enormously great time.

So this is the way to spend your summer vacation. There are three thing you need to keep in mind. Book your hotel accommodations early. After all thousands of people are also attending these sometimes reservations can be tough to come by. Secondly, dress for all types of weather, sunblock, rain gear, jackets caps etc. Lastly and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! See you there.