The eighth annual Forecastle Festival will have a heavy dose of high-profile music at its July 10-12 party down at the Belvedere. The Music, Art and Activism Festival will feature Widespread Panic, the Black Crowes, the Black Keys and the Avett Brothers among the 65-plus musical acts scheduled to perform.

Forecastle organizer JK McKnight calls today’s announcement the biggest in the festival’s history.  Get additional info, including ticket sales info, at the website.

From the official release:

“After eight years of grassroots festival building, we are opening an exciting new chapter in the history of this unique, cultural experience,” says Forecastle founder and producer JK McKnight.

Forecastle, named “One of the Top 101 Things to Do in America” by SPIN Magazine, and the “Cream of the Crop” by the Discovery Channel, was founded in 2002. The event is an equal representation of music, arts, and activism, featuring bands, artists and activist groups from ten participating cities throughout the Midwest.

In addition to music, the 2009 art and activism components will be equally showcased with over sixty environmental non-profit organizations, international / regional / local artists, films, an outdoor extreme sports park, environmental and music industry related panels, speakers, forums and more along the Ohio River.