Happy Trails with Mike & Ellen Taylor

The National Folk Festival in Butte, MT, was exciting, huge, entertaining, and free! This festival has been going on for over 40 years, but when it came to Butte last year it was the first time it was held in a city west of the Mississippi. It is hosted in the same city for 3 years, then moves to another locale. The National Endowment for the Arts provides some of the funding.

The picture above is the "Original" stage, at the site of "The Original" copper mine in Butte. Friday night we met up with Gwen's friend and co-worker, Barry, and his wife, and saw an incredible blues singer from Chicago. Saturday we saw bluegrass singers, cutting horse demonstrations, and everything in between. There were 6 major stages with a variety of performers and entertainers. We also browsed booths of juried artists, and enjoyed beer and strawberry smoothies.

Unfortunately, there were scattered thunderstorms on Sunday, so we didn't get to see as many entertainers as we had hoped.

Our campground was a really nice one, but was jammed with RV's and tents for the weekend festival. We met some nice couples who were camped nearby, and played Mexican Train dominoes with them one evening. Our dogs got to be friends, too, and had some great play times together!