Story by John Emeigh
BUTTE – It was a banner year for the Montana Folk Festival as organizers report record attendance and donations.
Festival organizers estimate the three-day music festival held in early July brought in about 175,000 people to the Mining City.
Donations received from festival attendees came to $130,000 and about $100,000 dollars in beer and wine sales.
Organizers estimate the festival has an $8 to $10 million impact on the local economy.
“They get free admission to the festival and they spend money that they bring along, because they’re so happy they don’t have to pay for a ticket that they buy drink, food, lodging,” said festival organizer George Everett.
The festival is secure for the next two years in Butte, with next year’s festival already scheduled for July 12th.
