Folk Fest: Montana has a hit on its hands

Published: August 13, 2008

After conducting a detailed analysis of aerial photographs taken over the festival weekend, organizers at the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), who brought the National Folk Festival to Montana, have concluded that an estimated 75,000 people attended the three-day event, held July 11-13 in Butte.

“Montana has a hit on its hands,” said NCTA Executive Director Julia Olin. “The buzz about the National Folk Festival in Butte has spread across the entire country. Here we are, based in the Washington, D.C., area, yet I haven’t attended a meeting in the last month that someone wasn’t talking about the festival in Montana.”

So mark your calendars: The 71st National Folk Festival returns to Butte July 10-12, 2009, and will continue to be held in Butte on the second weekend of July in 2010.

In addition to stellar attendance, economic aspects of the event – no doubt aided by perfect weather – went well too: Beer sales amounted to more than $67,000 and pop sales were over $15,000. Many food vendors sold out.

In addition, performing artists sold more that $44,000 worth of their CDs, and artists and craftspeople who sold their wares at the Festival Market enjoyed thousands of dollars in sales.

The crowd gave generously too, donating $32,383 to the Bucket Brigade that patrolled the festival site.

Festival merchandise sold well and in fact continues to sell. Commemorative merchandise is still available from Legacy Branding in Butte; call 406-498-6529 or email .

Several local businesses reported that their sales tripled during the festival weekend. Hotels and motels were booked solid throughout the region, as were restaurants during the event.

Attendees consistently reported that they plan to return for a longer stay next summer and bring along family and friends. “Comments from those who attended were overwhelmingly positive and in some cases, ecstatic,” said George Everett, executive director of Mainstreet Uptown Butte. “One of the first things many people did when they returned home was to send emails saying they would be back next year with their entire family or group of friends.”

“We have received kudos and a few complaints and many excellent suggestions from attendees, volunteers, and staff about how to make next year’s festival even better,” says Everett. “We intend to take the time this winter to absorb these comments and incorporate the best suggestions as we work to enhance and expand next year’s operation.”

Again the guiding principle for the National will apply: Admission to all performances is free.

And the festival will again feature seven stages, hosting up to 250 of the nation’s very finest traditional artists representing a diversity of musical styles and cultural traditions. Look for the lineup of performers to be announced by next spring.

Online applications and details are already available online at www.nationalfolkfestival.com for next year’s event.

Many of the volunteers who helped with the 2008 event have already signed up for next year. Volunteers work four-hour shifts during the event, and are then treated to a special celebration provided by the performers at the Copper King Hotel in Butte.

For more details, visit www.nationalfolkfestival.com.

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