Butte’s always anticipated summer tradition, the Montana Folk Festival, returns for its annual summer showcase of diverse talent this month. The event is set for Friday to Sunday, July 10th–12th. Admission is free to all performances during the three-day gathering. More than 20 groups representing a broad diversity of musical and cultural traditions will perform on the festival’s six stages.
This year’s lineup includes Gene Tagaban, Alash, Sterling Drake, Nour Harkati, Pedro Luis Ferrer, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Vasilis Kostas Ensemble, La Santa Cecilia, Prezident Brown, Be’la Dona, Saraswathi Ranganathan, Dale Watson, Parangal Dance Company, Nest of Singing Birds, Pine Leaf Boys, The Amanda Cook Band, Keith Johnson, Afro Dominicano, Tamburaški Sastav Ponoć, The Legendary Ingramettes and Cécilia.
Since 1934, the National Folk Festival has celebrated the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance, culture and cuisine. It is the oldest celebration of traditional arts in the country. The Montana Folk Festival continues this tradition in our region by highlighting, exploring and celebrating the heritage of diversity and cultural richness that makes our state and our country great.
The Butte festival features hundreds of performers and craftspeople with music and dance performances on six stages, workshops, folklife demonstrations, two festival markets and ethnic and regional foods.
Festival hours are 6–10pm on Friday, noon–10pm on Saturday and noon–6pm on Sunday. For additional event details, visit www.montanafolkfestival.com or download the Grandstand Events & Guides App. The festival grounds are centered around the Original Mine Yard in Uptown Butte. •
