Montana Folk Festival Expected to Draw Thousands, Make Millions
After a 2-year hiatus due to Covid-related concerns, the Montana Folk Festival will come roaring back into the Mining City this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With live performers from all corners of the globe playing every type of music from Western Swing and Celtic to Native American and Hawaiian Hula on 6 large stages, organizers are expecting to match the festival's peak attendance of 165,000 in 2011
Festivities will get underway officially Friday night at 6:45 with the opening ceremonies at the main stage at the Original Mineyard. Those making their first visit to Butte will be impressed not only at the size of the headframe but the preservation of one Butte's most revered historical areas. South of the Original and down the hill, festival goers will find the 5 other stages scattered about Uptown Butte with food and souvenir trailers in between along with the many fine local shops and eateries in Uptown Butte. Expected this year, a menagerie of food and drink native to many of the performer's homelands to things we enjoy here in Butte, like huckleberry shakes, lemonade, funnel cake and Pork Chop Sandwiches. Unique to the Folk Festival is the scope of unique items that can be found to buy or even to make. One of this year's highlights is the opportunity to learn how to decorate Ukranian Easter Eggs, another is learning the art of Scandinavian Chip Carving.
The Montana Folk Festival is expected to be a huge shot in the arm to local motels, restaurants and watering holes still reeling from the pandemic. The weather looks good and after a long wait, Butte is ready!