Missoula's River City Roots Festival brings two big days of music, art and free family fun, Sept. 6 & 7, 2024.
In celebration of River City Roots Fest’s 10th anniversary Aug. 28-29, the Music on Main Stage features the best bands from previous festivals. Each group brings a special flavor of Americana music to downtown Missoula, as the community welcomes new and returning University of Montana students and their families.
“We wanted to showcase a gathering of entertainment from previous Roots Fests as a way to celebrate our 10th anniversary,” said Ellen Buchanan, chair of the Roots Fest Committee since its inception in 2006. “With so much going on that weekend, this diverse musical line-up will be a great draw for folks of all ages.”
Music begins at 2:30 p.m. Friday on Main Street with the foot-stomping original tunes and tight harmonies of the Dead Winter Carpenters; followed by Amanda Shaw, who first wowed audiences in 2010 with her fiery fiddle licks; the Jamaican-born Clinton Fearon and the Boogie Brown Band deliver reggae; and Goose Creek Symphony melds rock ’n roll, folk, jazz and country. Local band Reverend Slanky will be on the Caras Park Stage from 6-10 p.m. Friday.
Saturday’s Main Stage line-up opens at 12:30 p.m. with Missoula’s own Whizpops, followed by two more Montana favorites, the Two Bit Franks and the Lil’ Smokies. Hot Buttered Rum takes the stage at 6:30 p.m. with its mountain-high mix of stunning instrumentals and vocal virtuosity; and the Acoustic Syndicate closes out the festival with down-home harmonies and environmental advocacy.
In addition, the free festival includes a Juried Art Show on Main Street, a Family Fun Fest in Caras Park, a four-mile run, and a stand-up paddleboard race. Call 543-4238 or visit rivercityrootsfestival.com for details.