Summer festival guide 2009

Get a fresh look at the city's best season with our annual guide

Before you blindly follow the crowds into a downtown festival, use our map to plot your plan of attack.

The peaks and valleys of summer festivals make Wall Street look downright stable.

If you don't have the garb for these fests, you can still get the look for less.

Neighborhood ethnic fests are already a buffet of cheap, tasty eats, but if you want to pick up the perks of a paisano-faster ...

You buy expensive booze, you lose. Here's how to find a stiff drink without getting stiffed.

Summer's yummy fried foods may seem like a good deal-until you consider what you'll pay to work them off.

Lack of money sucking all the fun out of your weekends? Look no further-these cheap thrills will scare the bejesus out of you.

Do your shopping on the street and you'll have plenty of cash left for beer.

Rock these music fests by volunteering. Bonus: free admission!