Summerfest, America’s River Festival, Music in the Park, All that Jazz, and much more will highlight this summer’s entertainment calendar. Music, food, crafts, and theatre play a major role in each of these festivities. We cover all of this summer’s major local festivals plus weekend getaways for you and your family. Keep our magazine handy and refer to it when that phrase, “There’s nothing to do!” is brought up in conversation.

The America’s River Festival is held at the McGraw Hill Parking Lot, 501 Bell St. in the Port of Dubuque, bigger and better than ever. Presented by American Trust and Savings Bank, America’s River Festival is the hottest place to be. Ticket options include: Saturday RSVP; Friday and Saturday VIP and general admission; Camping; and weekend packages. All concerts and events are held rain or shine.

If you’re looking for an incredibly unique way to celebrate Father’s Day weekend and at the same time support a great cause, look no further than the Annual Great Galena Balloon Race, Friday-Sunday, June 14-16. The event is not only a great spectator experience, but it can also be an exciting hands-on weekend activity for the whole family. The event features more than 20 hot air balloons and takes place at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, IL, the host sponsor. Proceeds from the benefit go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Camp Hertko Hollow, a camp for children with diabetes located in Boone, IA.

Complex rhythms rise from the percussion and horns glimmer silver in the sun. The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps of Dubuque, IA, is preparing for their 50th anniversary season. The Colts will dedicate their summer to music making, with a tri-state Cornfield Tour followed by a national Competition Tour, leading to the Drum Corps International World Championships in Indianapolis. They are focused on fulfilling their mission

In the classic Beatle song, “Here Come the Sun,” writer George Harrison aptly stated “It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter.” If ever a line described the winter of 2012/13 – that was it. But summer time has finally arrived (I’m pretty sure); schools out, vacations are being planned, and holiday destinations are being scrutinized. Dubuque has so many summer festivals, events, celebrations and parties planned it is hard to decide just when to leave town. It’s good to get away, though, if only for a weekend. With this in mind, we put together a few travel ideas that are only a few hours away by car. That way, you’ll be able to get back home to Dubuque quite quickly and miss the least number of local events.