The Montana Folk Festival has been a summer tradition in Butte for 16 years, featuring 20 performers across six stages with various genres of music. The festival kicked off on Friday evening with Grammy-winning bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland and his band Flamekeeper at the Original Mineyard. Over three days, around 50 performances will take place, accompanied by food vendors, arts and crafts, and merchandise. Organizer Bernie Shelton attributes the event's success to its cultural phenomenon status, stating it's about "the love of the show" and the joy of working with volunteers and audience members alike.