Festivals have always been a staple of the live music industry. It seems every major city and musical epicenter of the country has a crown jewel festival on which they pride themselves. Washington state, of course, has Sasquatch!, the annual outdoor show at the Gorge in George - but admission to this event seems harder to come by than Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket.

Did you know that in Tacoma we have a few festivals of our own?

If, like me, you are among the many who are still wrestling with the bitterness of not being able to attend Sasquatch!, there are a few upcoming events that will help facilitate the healing process.

Art on the Ave Festival takes place Sunday, July 14. I first discovered this festival by mistake several years ago. Having recently moved to the 6th Avenue business district, I found myself sitting in traffic, utterly perplexed as to why Sixth Avenue seemed to be in some sort of a lockdown. But by using my admittedly not-so-acute deductive reasoning skills, along with the presence of music stages, food vendors and booths set up by local businesses, I came to the conclusion that some sort of Tacoma arts festival was underway. Since then, I have loyally joined in the festivities spanning between Cedar and Trafton on Sixth Avenue. This year will be particularly special, as the festival is hosting some of my favorite Tacoma acts.

The Dirty Oscar's stage will host THE FAME RIOT, Ben Union, the Dignitaries, Not From Brooklyn, Bandolier and Roswell. Both THE FAME RIOT and Not From Brooklyn have been previously featured in The Rockford Files, and I am very excited to continue to promote their presence in the city.

O'Malley's stage is hosting performances by The Fun Police, Ten Pole Drunk, Kramer, North Slope and Devil On A Leash. And of course Jazzbones will be included in the fun, putting up Nolan Garrett, Big Wheel Stunt Show, Randy Hansen, Mighty High, and C-Leb and the Kettle Black.

I was delighted, yet not surprised, to hear that Randy Hansen will be making an appearance. The long-standing premier tribute musician to Jimi Hendrix, Hansen is world-renowned for his seemingly innate ability to emulate the sounds as well as sights of the Washington native and rock legend. My first "Randy Hansen Experience" was seeing him open for Steve Miller, and I've been a fan ever since.

And don't miss Nolan Garrett, who will be fresh from his performance at the Fish Food Benefit Show.

Founded in August of 1993, the Music and Art in Wright Park Festival - often abbreviated M.A.W.P. - will take over Tacoma's Wright Park for an afternoon and evening of music, art, food and blanket lounging Aug. 10.

The family friendly, donation-supported event will take place from about noon until 7 p.m. and will feature performances from 14 bands as well as a wide spectrum of artists and vendors sure to please. Though I've yet to obtain a schedule of the performances, I'm sure if you stay tuned to The Rockford Files, you will likely be informed as the event nears.

So if you didn't know previously, now you now that you don't have to leave our beloved city of destiny to attend a great music festival. Tacoma can surely hold her own, and she won't disappoint this summer.