Gravity is defined as an invisible force that pulls objects towards each other. That definition could apply to the Montana Folk Festival as well.
People, local and otherwise, gravitated to Uptown Butte this past weekend, all with the same purpose — to listen to some first-class artists perform their own distinct brands of music.
Inevitably, though, what comes up, must come down, and for the next few days festival volunteers will be working long hours dismantling stages and tents, stacking and storing chairs and clearing the areas of debris.
Although no official estimate has been given of the number of people that attended the festival, its director George Everett is working on it and hopes to be able to share that number in the next few days.
Everett was pleased with how smooth everything went despite the weather.
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“It was a great festival and went really well,” said Everett. “The heat, though, was our enemy.”
It was indeed hot, with 90 being Friday’s official high and Saturday at 92. It did cool down a bit on Sunday, reaching only 86 with some wind.
The festival director and his crew came prepared. First aid and outdoor misting systems and water refill stations were readily available.
“We wanted people to be able to get as much water as they wanted,” Everett said.
Bernie Shelton, the festival’s technical director, has not yet been able to take a break but can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even after working long hours for several days, he was all smiles as he continued to work on Monday.
“Besides being hot, it was great,” said Shelton. “People definitely had a good time.”
The heat caused problems for two festivalgoers. Medical help was required as one person suffered from heat exhaustion, another from heat stroke, Shelton said.
Although Shelton made it clear he was no expert, he believed it was a record attendance on Friday and Saturday.
“The crowds may have been the best yet,” said Shelton. “That’s just my observation.”
Josh Peck, another long-time volunteer, agreed.
“It was one of the best festivals,” said Peck.
Peck also thought this past weekend was the hottest festival since the first year of the National Folk Festival in 2008. But, he said, that did not deter the crowds.
“An enormous amount of people embraced it and loved it,” said Peck. “They also loved the lights on the headframes.”
Shelton and Peck, however, acknowledged that Sunday’s attendance was lower than in past years. Both men attributed the lower attendance to the weather.
“I think people just got tired of the heat,” said Shelton.
It was profitable for many of the food vendors, some of which ran out of food. Several other vendors were also selling their wares, including the Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce.
The new Butte America puzzle was being sold up at the Original with copies being signed by its creator, renowned folk artist Eric Dowdle, who returned to Butte specifically to greet people purchasing the puzzle.
The Butte America puzzle was a big hit, Stephanie Sorini, who heads the B-SB chamber, said.
“We were thrilled with the response that we had from the community and those that came from far and wide across the United States,” said Sorini.
The total number of puzzles purchased has not been tallied, but Sorini said an enormous amount had sold during the three-day event.
“Everyone embraced it and loved what Eric chose to paint,” said Sorini.
For the most part, people attending the festival were well behaved.
Just a few problems were reported at the festival, B-SB Sheriff Ed Lester said.
“We had an elevated police presence, but the crowds were having a great time, and it was a fun event, as usual,” said Lester.
One person was arrested Friday night near the intersection of Copper and Wyoming streets for driving under the influence, Lester said. On Saturday afternoon, someone backed into one of the festival’s golf carts, and on Sunday, a man was causing a disturbance at the Original Mine. The man was then asked to leave and he did.
“The Folk Festival is just an awesome event and a testament to the organizers, all the volunteers, and the people of Butte,” said Lester. “Not every city could pull this thing off, but I think everyone had a great time and they’ll be back for sure.”
