Patrick Carter dips his girlfriend Sarah Cook in the Wilderness Saloon during the Bob Marshall Music Festival. Eighteen bands performed during the three-day festival which drew attendees from all over the country.
Deer Tick plays the main stage as the sun set Saturday evening.
Jive Mother Mary drummer Tyler Schulz plays a set during the music festival. The band hails from North Carolina and was playing its first Montana show.
Young and old enjoyed the music in the Wilderness Saloon.
A worshipper raises her hands during Sunday's community worship in the Wilderness Saloon. Nearly 100 people showed up for the service, which was the last official festival activity.
HoneyHoney singer Suzanne Santo performs on the main stage Friday night.
Deer Tick's front man John Joseph McCauley sings during the Bob Marshall Music Festival.
The worship band playing at the Wilderness Saloon.
Ginger Williams leads lakeside yoga on the lawn at Lindey's Steak House.
SEELEY LAKE – Live music was easy to come by in Seeley Lake this past weekend as bands from all over the country came to play at the second annual Bob Marshall Music Festival.
While the official attendance numbers were not available at press time, event coordinator Chris Stout said the count started at 200 people-just counting band members and volunteers.
"Overall I think it went well," said Stout. "Maybe do what we did this year and perfect that for a couple years before adding anything additional."
While Stout was pleased with the overall festival, there were several things that could be adjusted next year.
"My biggest critique of myself was trying to go too big, too soon and spreading myself and other key people too thin," said Stout.
Anne Beach, executive director of the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, was the other event organizer in charge of the festival. She was the only paid person running the festival and took on the job in addition to her other responsibilities.
"Even if you are willing, you just literally don't have enough time in a day to do all of it," said Stout. "Little things that could be twice as good, don't become twice as good."
Some of the little things that could be smoothed over in the future include the organization and course markings for the three running races, as well as making sure not to schedule too many events at the same time.
The festival price was also a point of consideration for Stout.
"Not because it is expensive compared to any other festival or that it's not worth it," said Stout. "I just think we went a little too high, too quick for not having big name recognition."
Ticket prices for the Bob Marshall Music Festivals doubled from last year. This year attendees paid $65 at the gate for a three-day pass.
In comparison, the Red Ants Pants Festival in White Sulfur Springs cost $150 at the gate-$135 in advance-for three days of music. The festival has been around since 2011 and this year Shooter Jennings-last year's Bob Marshall headliner-is playing.
"Common sense would say that if they are able to do it with last year's headliner, then we should be able to do it," said Stout. "But they have been putting in the blood, sweat and tears for six years now and they hit the scene when this was cool, not when there was one in every small town in America."
The only major mishap of the festival ended up one of Stout's favorite moments.
Late Saturday afternoon, a summer storm blew into Seeley Lake and closed down the Main Stage for a few hours.
Stout was at Moose River Bar & Grill setting up for the after party with a few of the bands when he realized what had happened.
"I called Angela Harris [who was at the festival grounds] and said we have the biggest group of entertainers in the northwest all sitting at Moose River right now and they are just taking turns singing," said Stout.
Harris announced to people at the festival grounds that HoneyHoney was playing at Moose River.
"They went from 15 people to several hundred in 15 minutes," said Stout. "Plus it was so hot, it was worth having that storm because it was like a whole new day after that."
Downtown businesses saw an influx of people during the weekend despite the festival being located south of town. Many felt that their sales were higher than a regular summer weekend.
"It was one of the busiest weekends of the summer," said Angus Batchelder, owner of Crescent Mountain Coffee.
Batchelder also had a coffee booth at the festival grounds but "it was kind of a bust" due to the high temperatures.
"The biggest joy was how nice everyone was," said Stout. "When people start paying real money for something, you gotta understand that they might expect something. That was the same thing last year. It restores my faith in mankind."
Local law enforcement echoed Stouts appreciation for how well everyone handled themselves.
"It was so quiet. No arrests related to the event," said Missoula County Sheriff's Office Deputy Mike Sunderland. "People acted like adults. Kinda nice for a change."
Seeley Lake volunteer firefighters and medical personal staffed a medical trailer provided by Missoula Emergency Services, Inc., an ambulance and a Type III Fire Engine on the festival grounds during the peak times.
Fire Chief Bob Vanden Heuvel said they were prepared for the worst but were only needed for a "few band-aid situations." Because of their information from the National Weather Service, they were able to track and warn attendees about the lightning and wind that came through late Saturday night.
"Big kudos to the concertgoers because they must have policed themselves," said Vanden Heuvel. "All it would have taken was one spark in that field [to start a fire]."
Several bands told Stout they appreciated the community support for the festival-a few of them were walking down by the lake and invited for a beer or just to hang out.
"That really helps out because it is a small, small world in the music industry," said Stout. "Having town be open and accommodating makes it easier for me or whoever gets things lined out for next year."
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