Washington Foundation Folk Festival challenge met and exceeded by Montana Businesses

The following is a release from Mainstreet Uptown Butte:

Montana businesses have stepped up to meet and exceed the challenge grant made possible by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Montana Resources for the 2024 Montana Folk Festival, returning to Butte July 12, 13 and 14.

"We are grateful for the strong support demonstrated by Montana businesses who have helped us to reach our goal to match the generous support from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and Montana Resources," said George Everett of the Montana Folk Festival Executive Committee. "The festival could not continue without the support of our sponsors, and we are amazed by how strongly businesses continue to respond to help us match this challenge," Everett added.

This year the Foundation, in conjunction with Montana Resources, provided invaluable momentum when they pledged $200,000 with a $100,000 grant up front and up to $100,000 additional dollars in support of the Festival, provided that Montana businesses help match the award with their contributions. 

As of May 31, with the festival fast approaching, Montana business sponsors who see the many economic benefits of the festival have responded to the matching grant challenge to help sustain the event.  Several businesses large and small have contributed to ensure the success of this year’s Montana Folk Festival.  This year’s Montana Folk Festival is set in Butte for July 12, 13 and 14.

Montana business sponsors who have risen to the Foundation challenge and had their sponsorships matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000 include: Northwestern Energy, Intermountain Health St. James Healthcare, Seacast Corporation, Summit Beverage and the Markovich Family Foundation, Clearwater Credit Union, Mile High Beverages, Front Street Station, Leskovar Motors, Patagonia Dillon Outlet, Pioneer Technical Services, Steele's Furniture, and Zip Beverage.

"The generosity and continued support of Town Pump, a statewide corporation with its headquarters and its roots in Butte, has put us across the line.  Town Pump's match has ensured that we will meet and exceed the challenge this year," added Everett.

The Foundation’s challenge and the match of other Montana businesses helps with the expenses of bringing some of the best traditional performers in the country to perform at the festival.  This year, the lineup includes The Jerry Douglas Band, Mr. Sipp, Fred Thomas, Sheryl Cormier, Le Vent du Nord, Nobody’s Business, El Laborinto del Coco,  Mehrnam Rastegari, and The Wagaku Collective, a Japanese Traditional group, among several others, 21 performers in all, that will converge in Butte, Montana to perform on six stages throughout the festival weekend.  To see the full lineup, visit www.montanafolkfestival.com.

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation and Montana Resources have been a major supporter of the Montana celebration of traditional music, dance, arts, and cuisine from its inception as the National Folk Festival in 2008.  “From the inception of this project, we saw the amazing success of the festival and its potential to help expand a wide array of cultural opportunities to not just Montanans but also the region,” said Mike Halligan, Executive Director of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. “Before the pandemic the festival had grown into a much-anticipated annual summer event for all of Montana, the Northwest and the nation and we are glad to see it continue in 2024 and beyond.”

On site sponsorship opportunities are still available for businesses to showcase their products and services to thousands of attendees at the festival. These benefits are described at www.montanafolkfestival.com, or for more details about remaining sponsorship opportunities, call 406-565-2249.

For more details about the many charitable works of The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, visit www.dpwfoundation.org.  For more information about Montana Resources, visit www.montanaresources.com/.

For details about the Montana Folk Festival coming to Butte July 12-14. including the performers and upcoming schedules of performances, visit www.montanafolkfestival.com.