With the anniversary of Woodstock, this Weekend is about music and the great outdoors. Celebrate the festival’s 40th at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, camp out at a bluegrass jamboree in Wyoming, or hit the backwoods of Canada for an adrenaline-jammed mountain bike festival.
By Steven Kurtz and Nate Storey
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Woodstock’s 40th Anniversary Weekend: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, August 21-23
Cleveland, Ohio
Relive the ultimate music festival experience this weekend with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. Celebrations have been happening all summer around the country, but this special look inside the show that defined a generation is not be missed. In addition to the exhibition, featuring memorabilia from Woodstock’s executive producer Michael Lang as well as instruments and artifacts from the artists themselves, there will be a continuous loop of rare induction ceremony footage of artists who performed at the festival. Special performances on Saturday and Sunday afternoon will feature covers of some old time hits at Cain Park’s Evans Amphitheater. Be sure to check out chief curator Jim Henke’s presentation on the historical significance of the artifacts in the Woodstock exhibit. Tickets are available at the museum box office and, as always, members get in free. No Woodstock tribute would be complete without spending a day or two living off the land, so head to Kellys Island in Lake Erie for a secluded couple days of hiking, biking and even exploring offshore shipwrecks scuba diving. Dine Al Fresco at Kelly’s Island Wine Company where they grow fresh herbs on site.
Travel and Accommodation
The Rock Hall provides a list of preferred hotels on their website with various package deals for the weekend. Fly into Cleveland and be sure to check out what each hotel has to offer, as some will include tickets to the hall with your stay.
22nd Annual Bluegrass Festival, August 21-23
Grand Targhee, Wyoming
If braving the crowds and the city doesn’t sound like the best way to commemorate the anniversary, toast Woodstock with another outdoor music festival. Check out the blissful Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming for the 22nd annual Bluegrass Festival. Its three days of bluegrass and camping in the scenic northern Rockies. Headliners Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band lead a long list of excellent bluegrass performers. Besides the music, there are plenty of activities in the area to satisfy your need for adventure. The Resort is well known for a variety of mountain biking trails which can also be used for hiking and trail running. If you don’t want to exert too much energy, enjoy the scenic chairlift ride to the 10,000-foot summit of Fred’s Mountain. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park as well for more scenic adventure. A 3-day festival pass for the weekend will run you $155 (3-day camping pass included).
Travel and Accommodation
Several major airlines fly into Jackson Hole, WY, so fly in and make the scenic 42-mile drive to Grand Targhee. Camp at the festival with the price of your ticket, or choose from several lodging options in the area.
Full Throttle Mountain Bike Festival, August 22-23
Fernie, British Columbia
If you’re looking for a rush, join up with pro rider Mike Hopkins this weekend in the British Columbian mountains for the Full Throttle Mountain Bike Festival. A variety of races are on the slate, including the Super D Downhill and Dual Slalom. When you’re through being a spectator, get in on the action and take advantage of the wealth of bike trails at Fernie Alpine Resort. Deer Trail cuts through some tight spots with bulging roots littering the path for a fun challenge. Once your legs are warm and you’re feeling brave, head to the base of the resort on the Mighty Moose slope to the Skills Progression Park where you can sharpen your skills on wooden skinnies and bridges. If you’re looking to investigate the mountain on foot, hike the Summer Road, a challenging trail that swings by reddish-brown rock and coral fossils left from an ancient sea that covered the mountain. Break away from the festivities for an afternoon and charge the class IV rapids on Elk River Canyon that twist through towering rock walls (Canyon Raft Company, $104). Don’t spend the entire weekend working yourself into a frenzy though, chill out with some live tunes at barbecues in the beer garden or take the Timber Express Chairlift ($16) to Lost Boys Cafe at the peak of the mountain to slurp down a few pints while you enjoy epic forest vistas.
Travel and Accommodation
Delta flies to Cranbrook B.C., via Salt Lake City, which is an hour-and-a-half drive from Fernie. Fernie Alpine Resort has special lodging during the festival starting at $35 a night.
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