Thinking of hitting a music festival abroad this summer? Then look no further than New York State’s amazing line up of the biggest and best music festivals. Make like a New Yorker and discover the hidden gems in a music scene beyond Manhattans’ hot and humid city walls. Follow the hipsters in-the-know and head upstate to sample some authentic American festival life…..

· The Taste of Country Festival (13 June – 15June) is situated in the green and pristine Hunter Mountain area and only a 2 hour drive from bustling Manhattan. Expect big name country acts such as Willie Nelson to appear against the stunning backdrop of the Catskills Mountains – think high peaks, waterfalls, and cowboy hats aplenty.

· Jazz Lovers will adore the Syracuse Jazz Festival (4July – 6July).  Multi-award winning, it’s the largest free jazz festival in the north-east of America, and only a 5 hour road trip from JFK airport. Offering a huge variety of artists over three days, its big draw headliners are Kenny G & Donovan. Combine it with a stopover at the beautiful Oneida Lake just north of the town for a chilled out post-festie retreat.
 

· Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance (18July – 21 July) offers something rather different in the scenic Finger Lakes region. Originally starting out in life as a benefit to raise money for a local AIDS charity, it has grown so much it now showcases over 60 bands, playing over 4 stages. Expect diverse world music, arts, dancing, and a genuinely chilled-out quirky vibe. Discover something you have never seen or heard before - fancy dress optional!

· Billed as one of the most exciting festivals in the world, the International Celtic Festival (17 August – 18August) features all of the best from the Emerald Isle crammed into one St Paddy’s style weekend. Situated in Hunter Mountain, a long time favourite music venue in Green County; expect world-class Irish and American bands and plenty of that famous Irish craic’.

· Moe.Down Festival (9August – 11August) is into its 14th year and it’s bigger than ever. Located at the picturesque Snow Ridge Ski Resort in upstate New York only 4 hours from the City, and hosted by the band Moe; it’s a bouncy mix of jam music and good old fashioned family fun typical of an all American ho-down.

Don’t get caught out by an English downpour at a festie this summer! Leave your wellies at home, soak up some sunshine and enjoy a genuine all American festival.  America As You Like It offer a seven night holiday to New York State from £1099 per person, based on two people travellin including return flights and seven night’s accommodation with car hire. Go to the ‘America as you like it’websiteor call 0208 742 8299 to book.

For further press information, please contact:

Sarah Taylor, UK PR Manager staylor@nylovesu.co.uk or Kimberly Rogers krogers@nylovesu.co.uk Tel: 0207 644 6121 Mobile: 0782 5083281

Notes to Editors:

America As You Like It offers a seven night holiday to New York State from £1009 per person, based on two people travelling, and including return flights from London Heathrow to New York on Virgin Atlantic, two nights room only at the Holiday Inn, Kingston (Catskills), three nights room only at the Riveredge Resort, Alexandria Bay (1000 Islands), and two nights room only at the Clarion University, Ithaca (Finger Lakes), plus seven
days fully inclusive compact car hire. www.americaasyoulikeit.com Tel: 0208 7428299

New York State features 11 beautiful vacation regions. New York’s attractions span from landmarks such as Niagara Falls, to the wine trails of Hudson Valley and treasures like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Whether it’s wide-ranging outdoor activities for the whole family like fishing, hiking and boating, culinary wonders and farm-to-table fresh foods, or the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies, New York State offers diverse activities for all travelers. For more information, visit http://www.iloveny.com. Media can find press releases and more at thebeat.iloveny.com.