For those of you who aren’t familiar, the Evolve Music and Awareness Festival is a three day outdoors festival that happens every summer in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. This year Evolve will take place from July 23rd to the 25th, and is set to be even bigger and better than previous years. Here are five reasons why you should attend the festival, which was voted “Best Music Festival In Canada”, by listeners of CBC Radio 3 Spotlight from across the country. For more information, you can head over to the festival’s website, or check out Evolve on Facebook or Twitter.

1. A lineup you won’t see anywhere else

Evolve has always boasted a diverse list of acts, from up-and-coming East Coast bands, to established Canadian musicians, to international DJs, and this year’s edition is no different. Just some of those performing at this year’s Evolve: New York’s Easy Star All-Stars performing Dub Side of the Moon (which, in case you were wondering, is exactly what you think it is), Toronto’s Woodhands (and occasional co-conspirator, Maylee Todd), VICE Records-signed punk duo Lullabye Arkestra, Newfoundland’s folk-rock six-piece Hey Rosetta!, Montreal’s Champion & His G-Strings, Edmonton freak-pop outfit GOBBLE GOBBLE, famed Canadian children’s performer Fred Penner, and plenty of homegrown talent including the likes of Rich Aucoin, Jenn Grant, Skratch Bastid, and Old Man Luedecke. Halifax Rocks, a two-day outdoor concert that takes place the same weekend (headlining this year are Kid Rock and the Black Eyed Peas – ugghh), should be taking notes.

2. Location, location, LOCATION

With all due respect to Antigonish (some of my good friends go to university there), the place ain’t exactly the Nightlife or Music Capital of the World. So, why then, is it the perfect place to host an outdoors music festival? Because the actual venue is located on a grassy, 225-acre field, lined with trees and only a ten minute walk away from the Atlantic Ocean, therefore serving as the perfect weekend gateway from crowds, traffic, and work responsibilities. With paid festival admission, wristband holders are allowed to camp for free, and did I mention there are waterfalls nearby? So be sure to pack your swimsuit – that farmer’s tan won’t go away on its own.

3. Tickets to Evolve are (relatively) affordable

If you act now, a three day festival pass will set you back approximately $125. Now granted, that may sound like a pretty hefty fee, but keep in mind it includes access to all the performances (there’s no such thing as overpriced “V.I.P. passes” at Evolve), plus camping and parking for the weekend.

4. More than just music

Here are just some of the other activities and workshops that Evolve-goers will be able to participate in during the weekend: introduction to massage therapy, yoga and meditation classes, cargo net and hammock construction, hoola hoop dance instruction, yurt construction, drum circles, and an art show (whew!).

5. What other summer music festival can say they’ve been endorsed by Elizabeth May?

Actual quote on Evolve’s (incredibly well-designed) website from none other than the leader of the Green Party of Canada/every Canadian comedian’s favourite political punching bag, Elizabeth May: “Evolve is a great event and rapidly recognized as THE alternative and green music event of the summer. Hats off to the Evolve Team!” In its eleven years of existence, Evolve has strived to be eco-friendly not only in the way the festival is run, but by promoting environmental awareness during the weekend through workshops, booths by local grassroots organizations and vendors, etc. And that’s an accomplishment worth tipping a hat to.