Music: Sounds of a Summer Night

Notes from six of the best—and smallest—U.S. music festivals

"Tanglewood, who needs it!" snorted Ardys Hepple, senior assistant manager of interim room bookings for Terpsichore Travel ("Always on Our Toes to Serve You"). Hepple was bent on spending her three-week paid vacation in vigorous pursuit of music. "The hills are alive!" she insisted, adding that she intended "to hit six of the best little festivals and fill you guys in." She outfitted her 1950 Nash Rambler (the kind with the reclining seats) for a cross-country haul, cooked up a supply of stew for her...