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only that, but the supporting acts are pretty strong too: JJ Grey & MoFro, The Record Company, The Wood Brothers, The Brothers Comatose, Baskery and Barns Courtney. It's been voted the number one music festival by readers of Good Times newspaper, so it looks like they are here to stay. The park-like venue is beautiful and easy to get around, there are a handful of beer, wine and food vendors, and, of course, that famous laid-back Santa Cruz vibe. www.santacruzamericanmusicfestival.com. 50th Anniversary Monterey Pop Festival June 16-18 Monterey County Fair & Event Center, Monterey T his 50th celebration of the seminal Monterey International Pop Festival on the same weekend and same venue it was held in 1967, is just the centerpiece of The Summer of Love festivities around Monterey. Events planned as of press time include "Feeling Groovy" Art Exhibition at the Monterey Regional Airport through December ; "Monterey Pop" Film Screening on May 12 at Golden State Theatre; and "Who Shot Monterey Pop! Photographs from the 1967 Music Festival" at the Monterey Museum of Art, June 2-Sept. 18. Monterey International Blues Festival, May 13; Monterey Beer Festival on July 8; and the Monterey County Fair, Aug. 30-Sept. 4, are also celebrating with Summer of Love-inspired themes and events. Headliners for Monterey Pop in- clude Norah Jones, Jack Jackson, Leon Bridges, Father John Misty and more. www.seemonterey.com. BaconFest 2017 Saturday, June 24, 11am-7pm Monterey County Fair and Event Center, Monterey M r. Bacon, Tony Baker of Montrio Bistro and Baker's Bacon fame, takes over as the head Baconator at this year's festival. Baker will not only offer a number of bacon-inspired dishes, but will be conducting cooking demonstrations. Plenty of other vendors will be offering their own inspired bacon dishes, enough to please the most fanatic bacon lovers. Headlining the day will be '80s New Wave rockers The Medflys, plus another blast of music from the inimitable Tom Ayres and comedy from Chicago Steve Barkley. There's also beer and wine, non-bacon food booths and arts and crafts vendors, so bring the whole family and get your bacon on! www.montereybaconfest.com. Monterey Beer Festival Saturday, July 8, 12:30-5pm Monterey County Fair & Event Center, Monterey T hey've been doing it for 16 years now and nobody seems to tire of it. In fact, more than 5,000 thirsty folks showed up last year. And for what? Beer, beer and more beer. You'll taste every possible kind of beer available, not just from California, but from around the world, and you'll go home with a souvenir Monterey Beer Festival tasting glass. Musical entertainment is provided by two great tribute rock bands, including the '60s Summer of Love Band per- forming hits from the '60s with KCDU 101.7 The Beach's DJ Fredo as MC. VIP ticket holders can beat the rush by getting in 30 minutes early, at 11:30am. Benefits the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation. www.montereybeerfestival.com. Sunday Blues in the Park Sundays, July 9-Aug. 6, 1-4:30pm Laguna Grande Park, Seaside T his is one of the best and longest contin- uously running music events in Monterey County, mostly thanks to Dave Pacheco, who was Seaside's rec super visor when he found- ed it three decades ago and now sits on the City Council. Pacheco pairs regional headliners such as Maria Muldaur and Chris Cain with local blues bands for this free con- cer t in the park for five consecutive Sundays. Bring a blanket, low- backed chair and your sunny atti- tude and enjoy this fun and kicked- back event. Food, soft drinks and ar ts and crafts booths will also keep you occupied if you're not dancing in front of the stage. Call 831/899-6800 for more info. Tom Ayres will perform at the BaconFest on June 24 in Monterey. The Monterey Beer Festival is July 8 at the Monterey County Fair and Event Center. Photo: Jon Krop C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 7 89