Status the Band closed out the Bob Marshall Music Festival playing into the early morning hours Sunday, July 17. The festival was held in the Missoula County Park next to the Seeley Lake Elementary School in Seeley Lake. Event Organizer Chris Stout estimated that more than 2,000 adult tickets were sold. Children under age 12 were admitted for free.
Jack Gladstone with Philip Aaberg entertained on Lindey's Lawn Saturday afternoon. This was one of two free stages, the other downtown at Blue River Station, running during the festival.
Seeley Lake Yoga Instructor Ginger Williams led nearly 30 people through a morning yoga session on the lawn of Lindey's Prime Steak House Saturday morning as a part of the of the festival.
Local musician Abram Pocha (center) teamed up with Jordan Koppen's band (Koppen on the left) from Missoula and opened the music festival Thursday afternoon.
Johnnie Stout practicing on a slack line during the festival. There were many games including volleyball, corn hole sets, horse shoes and ping pong available on the festival grounds.
SEELEY LAKE – Twenty-two bands filled Seeley Lake with music for three days July 14-16 during the Bob Marshall Wilderness Music Festival. Coupling the afternoon and evening music with morning yoga, group activities and races captured the attention of a wide range of people all looking for some fun.
While the official numbers are not in, Event Organizer Chris Stout estimated, based on the revenue, that there were 2000 tickets sold. He said there were many more people that participated since 12 and under were free and those that enjoyed the free stages were not counted.
"The festival greatly exceeded my expectations," said Stout. "The quality of music, cooperation, the number of people that showed up and just the overall attitude and fun that people had."
Stout's goal for the first year of the festival was to just do it and hopefully break even. While they do not have a final figure, Stout believes the festival paid for itself this year but did not generate any extra revenue that would have supported the outdoor programs at Seeley Lake Elementary.
"We didn't really have a systematic plan on how things were going to work," said Stout. "I think we can pull the same thing off even better for a little less in the future."
The festival attracted locals and out-of-towners alike. Several attendees commented how much fun the bands were and how they hadn't done something like this in years.
One resident of 15 years said, "This is the best thing that has happened in Seeley Lake since I've been here."
Others enjoyed the opportunity to start their day off with yoga or a hike and sit and listen to live music at the Lindey's and Blue River stages.
More than 60 registered volunteers helped pull off the event. However, Stout said everyone's willingness to help pitch in, even though they weren't on the official volunteer list, made the festival go smoothly. He was grateful for everyone's time and support.
Seeley Lake Rural Fire District volunteers gave their time as well to staff the event Friday and Saturday.
EMS Supervisor Shelly Johnson said, "It was very mellow compared to what we expected. It looked like everyone was having a wonderful time and it was nice to see how organized the event was."
The Bob Marshal Music Festival with Chris Stout as the contact received a written warning after Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Game Warden Bill Koppen checked for food storage compliance Friday morning.
Koppen said there were 25 areas where trash had not been cleaned up, food was not stored properly and bear proof dumpsters were not being used.
When Koppen checked again Saturday, there was only one trash can that hadn't been emptied and three dumpsters were not bear proofed. He said it was a night and day difference.
"They put forth the effort to clean it up," said Koppen who added there were no bear problems, just attractants. "I believe they got the message and will have everything squared away for next year."
Stout has tentatively planned next year's festival for Friday, June 30 and Saturday and Sunday July 1 and July 2. Having a year to plan will allow him more time to advertise, get the word to book food vendors and bands for the event.
Stout anticipates the festival grounds will be rearranged slightly to help with dust control from the ball fields and camping. He also will have a better plan for recycling, garbage and facilities.
He thinks better signage for available services that are already in place would improve the hospitality and overall experience and could be another revenue source.
This year, Stout helped set up the stages outside of the festival grounds. Instead of having a trailer with a sound system, Stout plans to explore the feasibility of renting stage(s) with a sound system for next year so the stage(s) always have someone at them to help with the band transitions and sound.
Several races were planned around the festival as well as a group hike, group bicycle ride, yoga, and a "Leave No Trace" presentation by the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation.
Next year, Stout hopes to enlist local groups to see if they would be willing to organize more activities like a corn hole tournament or offer more recreation opportunities during the festival.
Stout was most excited about how nice everyone who attended the festival was including the bands.
"I hope it set people's minds at ease that it's not just a bunch of druggies showing up and going crazy. Bad things can happen anytime you bring that many people together. Generally people just want to have fun and help each other out," said Stout. "I'm really happy and I'm excited to do it again."
Look for information about a Line Up Party coming this winter announcing next year's bands. To get involved contact Stout at 406-396-5880.
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