Ghent is my favorite Flemish cities! The Ghent Festival is a lot of fun and there is a lot to do during that time. If you like to bike, go to the canals on long bike rides and you can get to see a more rural side of Flanders. I suggest you also take a day trip to Antwerp from Ghent, it's cheap and short trip on train. 

Since Belgium is small you can stay in Ghent and move around. It's about a half hour to Bruges, or about the same if you want to visit Antwerpor even Brussels. So if you do not want to move with suitcases all the time it would be a good idea to stay in Ghent You can take a small boat when the weather is nice in Ghent. You are your own captain and see some great nature and houses… Have fun !