Butte, Montana –

The oldest multicultural festival in the nation, The National Folk Festival, is coming to Butte for a three-year tenure. Festival dates are July 11–13 this year and the entire event is free to the public.

"This moveable feast of deeply traditional folk arts celebrates American culture through music, dance, traditional craft, storytelling, food and more," advises Becky Kurowski of Travel Montana. With historic uptown Butte as its backdrop, seven stages offer continuous performances throughout the long weekend. The festival features a broad array of music and dance performances, participatory dancing, hands-on workshops, children's activities, regional and ethnic foods, parades, and craft exhibits.

More than 250 musicians, dancers, and craftspeople demonstrate, exhibit and perform. Musical styles include blues, rockabilly, jazz, cowboy, bluegrass, western swing, zydeco, polka, old time, gospel, and more. Stages range from a 10,000 seat open-air amphitheater to small, intimate acoustic settings. (406-497-6464; http://nationalfolkfestival.com)