BUTTE - There will no music or large crowds this summer in Uptown Butte as the Montana Folk Festival has been canceled due to the coronavirus.
Though organizers of the free music festival believe it was the right decision, it was certainly a difficult one.
“It’s tearing my heart apart. To see Butte without this this summer is breaking my heart,” said festival organizer George Everett.
It was determined to cancel the July festival to prevent the possible spread of the Covid-19 virus to Butte.
“Nobody wants to take the risk, including us, especially us, of bring 100,000 – 150,000 people here to Butte, have them come from anywhere in the world, all free admission, and bring whatever they have with them,” said Everett.
The loss of this year’s event will have a negative impact on Butte’s, and the state’s, economy.
“They spend money here and they stay longer in Montana and the tourism season is extended, expanding and enhanced by the festival,” said Everett.
This summer would have marked the 13th year the folk festival was held in Butte, and as unfortunate as it is to have it canceled, George Everett still thinks there may be a little luck in it.
“Lots of times you go to the city, you go up in a building and you get on the elevator, they skip the 13th floor, so this will be the 13th year, so we’re just going to skip it and pick it up on the 14th year,” said Everett.
Next year’s festival is planned for July 9 -11.