WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — The Red Ants Pants Music Festival began in White Sulphur Springs on Thursday with the Downtown Street Dance.
“We had a great time the first year, brought our kids the first year, brought our kids this year. It’s amazing. We enjoy it. It’s a fun and enjoyable local community event. We really like it,” says attendee, Monte Brown.
Tom Buchanan
The family-friendly event will continue through Sunday and attracts attendees and performers from various locations. Along with the music, the festival includes activities for kids and demonstrations such as horse and wagon driving, sheep shearing, a crosscut sawing competition, meat processing, carpentry 101, and more.
The festival brings a boost to the local economy, benefiting people like Kim Morgan from White Sulphur Springs who sells handmade sweets at her booth Mema’s Confections.
“It significantly increases sales and it’s enjoyable to meet people from all over,” says Morgan.
Tom Buchanan
Originally established as a women’s work wear company, Red Ants Pants added a music festival to their lineup in 2011. The event aims to bring people together to honor rural Montana farms, music, and women’s leadership. The Red Ants Pants Foundation contributes thousands of dollars to support girls’ leadership, timber skills training, and women in agriculture.
Sarah Calhoun, the Producer of the Red Ants Pants Music Festival and Executive Director of the Red Ants Pants Foundation, mentions that the community of participants motivates them to continue hosting the festival year after year.
“It’s the people who keep bringing us back together year after year. There’s something truly special that happens here in this cow pasture, even if it gets a little warm and dusty at times. It allows people to leave their worries at the gate and come in to be the best versions of themselves, to connect with new individuals, and bridge some gaps that could use a little crossing,” says Calhoun.
