Prepare for music festival season with a summer smiley!

Summer, in generally, means all kinds of awesomeness. But at the top of that list, at least for me, is the seemingly endless selection of summer music festivals that last from Memorial Day all the way to Labor Day weekend!

There's just something so special about seeing music in the summer...

There's the outdoors itself! I love kicking back, breathing the air, lounging in a chair and closing my eyes while the atmosphere sweeps over me!

There's the camping! Multi-day festivals offer a great opportunity to get the ol' tent out and become part of a temporary city!

There's the crazy concert-goers! People watching is a great pastime and there are few situations as ripe for really good observing as a festival!

There's the tunes! Of course, the music! You get to see and hear so many amazing acts all in one convenient location!

One of my all-time favorite music fests is taking place this weekend in Manchester, Tn.: Bonnaroo, featuring Bruce Springsteen and Phish, among many many many other great acts (Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, David Byrne, Wilco, Snoop Dogg, etc.)!

The even more jamaliscious Rothbury Festival hits Michigan for our Midwest readers July 2-5 and will be The Dead's only summer appearance! Other acts include Bob Dylan, The String Cheese Incident, The Black Crowes Damian Marley & Nas (whaaaaaat?!) and Gov't Mule!

The 10,000 Lakes Festival in Minnesota takes place July 22-25 with Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic and Wilco in top billing!

Up in the Northeast, All Points West takes over Jersey City July 31-Aug. 2, with Beastie Boys, Tool and Coldplay headlining each night respectively!

And finally, for our overseas readers, Glastonbury, actually one of the inspirations for Bonnaroo's founders, continues its long, amazing history of insanely diverse lineups. On just one of many stages over three nights, you can see Bruce Springsteen, The Specials, Nick Cave, Spinal Tap, Blur, Neil Young, Tom Jones and Eagles of Death Metal. And wait until you see what's on the other stages!

So grab one of these summer music fest-inspired smileys and prepare yourself for one rockin' summer!