Montana Folk Festival

Well, the big weekend is finally here. The Montana Folk Festival has arrived, and we can expect three days of incredible music from all over the globe, unique cuisine, one-of-a-kind crafts and thousands of people converging on the Mining City. With several stages spread across the eastern perimeter of Uptown Butte and several street closures going into effect, parking will again be a challenge this year.

I was not even a full year in my career with this Butte group of radio stations when the panic button was firmly pressed in our GM's office. It was 2003 and the group in charge of funding the annual 3rd of July Fireworks Show was out of money. There were not funds to cover that summer's upcoming fireworks show on the 3rd of July. It was that day, I believe, that we went on-air and started collecting donations from listeners. Soon local businesses joined in and started challenges with other local businesses in their respective fields. Donations and momentum continued to grow until the final day of the donation drive where we teamed up with our radio friends down the street from the Butte Broadcasting Group and did a citywide bucket drive on the corner of Harrison and Dewey live on all of Butte's local commercial radio stations and wound up getting enough donations to fund the fireworks show for not only that year but for the next three years. After that, Brooks Hanna Ford picked up the bill for a few years. And since then, Town Pump has been the sole sponsor of the annual 3rd of July Fireworks Show

Butte has proven itself as a destination city. The Butte Tourism Improvement District wants to not only support these big events that are already happening but to possible assist with funding for events that may be still in the planning stages. Are you part of an event or business that brings people to town and puts guests in hotel rooms? There may be money available for you. They are accepting grant applications right now but the deadline to apply is this Friday, June 28th at 5pm. Find out more here or call (406) 723-3177.

With just a few weeks until the first notes of the 2024 Montana Folk Festival, more specific needs for volunteers are becoming clear. Festival organizers are inviting new volunteers for the 2024 Festival on July 12, 13 and 14 and updating their database for returning volunteers, too.

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.

Organizers have announced the second wave of performers coming to the Montana Folk Festival in Butte, Montana this July 12-14. “It’s shaping up to be a strong lineup for this July's Montana Folk Festival packed with master musicians and dancers” says Festival Director George Everett. "You can expect to find plenty that's familiar but also to be amazed at the variety and diversity of the event."

Montana Folk Fest 2024 is going to be something to remember, so join me as we get to know and hear the first 7 artists unveiled.

The Markovich Family Foundation in conjunction with Summit Beverage has awarded a total of $100,000 over five years to support the Montana Folk Festival in 2024 and in the years to follow. This year, $20,000 will be granted to the Montana Folk Festival by the Foundation. This support will be doubled by the ongoing challenge grant of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.

If you're part of an event here in town that draws a crowd or if you're still in the planning stages, the Butte Tourism Improvement District has grant money available and the application deadline has been extended to 5pm this Thursday, February 15. Hard copies will be accepted at the Butte Chamber of Commerce at 1000 George Street.

The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Montana Resources has awarded a total of $200,000 to support the Montana Folk Festival in 2024. This year, $100,000 will be awarded to the Montana Folk Festival which must be matched by contributions from other Montana businesses.