Summer Music Festivals?!

[lojay]

I already tried searching the boards but, surprisingly, there seems to be very few posts about summer music festivals.

I intend to apply to the following:
-Chautauqua Music Festival
-Beethoven Institute at Manus
-Shandelee Music Festival (??I'm not sure if they will have a summer festival for the 2013 summer)
-Summit Music Festival

Has anyone attended any of these?  What kind of level of playing are applicants expected to have?  How is the atmosphere?  Any insights would be GREATLY appreciated.