For most of the country springtime has finally arrived, and that means there’s a slew of festivals on the horizon. Sing Out! provides an international listing of folk music festivals and camps, which can be found at www.singout.org/fests.html. But here’s a sampling of some upcoming events that are worth checking out if you can.

Heading to Nashville this weekend? You’ll definitely want to check out the Tin Pan South Festival. Located at ten of Nashville’s most popular music venues, it’s the world’s largest all-songwriter festival featuring over 350 performers. Find out more information: www.tinpansouth.com. Tickets to most shows can be purchased at the door, but arrive early!

Moving a little further South into Glenwood, Georgia, the 27th annual Piney Woods Lake Bluegrass Festival is taking place this week as well. From April 4th to the 6th, this small town festival will continue to embrace their lasting campground tradition, going strong since 1987. This spring’s music festival will feature artists such as River Town Jam, Better & Friends, Strings of Bluegrass and many more! For more information visit http://www.pineywoodslake.com/. Tickets for the entire weekend are $25, but single-day tickets are available.

If you’re near the West Central region of Florida this weekend, you might want to stop into Dade City for the 31st Annual Florida Old Time Music Championship. Continued since 1982, FOTMC has fought to “preserve and promote traditional old time music in Florida.” This year’s lineup includes workshops as well as contest performances on a variety of old-time instruments. Special guest of honor is Appalachian music preservationist and banjo player, Mac Benford. If you would to purchase tickets or find out more information, please visit www.fotmc.org. A weekend pass is $15, but single-day tickets are available too!

In the greater St. Louis area this weekend? The Missouri Tartan Day Festival is one to check out. Vibrant with spirit, they are “a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose objective is to showcase Scottish-American culture and promote good will through music, dance, food, athletics, storytelling and a variety of interactive activities.” There will be piping and hammer throws! This event is free and open to the public. If you’d like to find out more details about the festival, please visit www.motartanday.com.

If you are near the Washington, D.C. area on Saturday or Sunday during the day, and feel like joining in on some group song, head on out to the 24th Annual Potamac River Sacred Harp Singing Convention. Located right on the Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, enjoy two days of singing shape-note hymns and anthems in unaccompanied four part harmony. Singers bring a substantial meal to share at the Potluck Lunch! Bring as you are able. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. on both days. Please visit http://www.his.com/~sabol/PRC/ for more information.

Plan on attending these or other events, or do you have pictures from previous events? Let us know! E-mail us at info@singout.org or give us a tweet @singout

–Jesse McHugh