Music. Art. Food. Community. All the ingredients that make up the Missoula Downtown Association’s River City Roots Festival returns to the streets of Downtown Friday and Saturday September 6-7. As Missoula’s Signature Celebration, this annual event celebrates everything that makes Missoula, Missoula. Supported in part by title sponsor Dick Anderson Construction, Roots Fest is admission-free and features live music, an art show, the Family Roots Fest, the 4-Mile Roots Run, and local food vendors.
“When we came up with the idea of Roots Fest, we knew that making it a showcase of all the unique things Missoula is known for was incredibly important,” said Ellen Buchanan, Chair of the Roots Fest Committee and board member for the Missoula Downtown Association. “Music, art, being active, and a sense of community: these are all things that are important to Missoulians and are important pieces in making sure this event really is Missoula’s Signature Celebration. Roots has something for everyone and because of our admission-free model, everyone can come to Downtown and enjoy the event. Downtown is the heartbeat of our community, and we want to make sure everyone has a chance to experience all the best things it has to offer.”
Music on Main – Sponsored by Big Sky Brewing, Blackfoot Communications, HDR, MariMint – music begins at 12:30 pm both days. This year’s lineup features a wide variety of local and national roots music artists with five bands playing each day. This year local up-and-coming bluegrass favorite Spruce Alley Sally will kick off the festival on Friday. Friday also features Give It To ‘Em, Florabelle! of Missoula and Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters from Portland, Oregon. Sol Driven Train from Charleston, South Carolina, who first played Roots Fest in 2010, takes the stage at 6:30pm. Closing out Friday is headliner The Band of Heathens who bring their rock-and-roll style to Missoula from Austin, Texas.
Saturday kicks off with Cowboy Andy & the Salamanders for the kids and families of Missoula. The Spills of Missoula takes the stage at 1:30pm on Saturday and is followed by The Vince Herman Band at 4:30pm. Returning to Missoula after playing at Roots in 2021, Rapidgrass brings its mountain-focused sound to the stage at 6:30pm. Closing out the festival at 8:30pm is super-group The High Hawks. Made up of Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon), Chad Staehly (Great American Taxi), Adam Greuel (Horseshoes & Hand Grenades), Brian Adams (Great American Taxi), Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth), and Will Trask (Great American Taxi), The High Hawks are a new favorite among the Roots/Americana circles.
The Art Show will open the festival at 12pm on Friday and features over 30 local and regional artists selling hand-made goods, including jewelry, pottery, prints, leather works, wood, paintings, clothing, and more. One of the highlights of the Art Show is the opportunity to work with Missoula’s own Clay Studio; attendees can create their own piece of art to take home.
Connect to our community through both music and movement during the Roots Run on Saturday, September 7 at 8:30 am; it starts on East Main Street and ends in Caras Park. Sponsored by DJ&A Engineers, First Security Bank, Good Food Store, and the Runner’s Edge, and produced by Run Wild Missoula, the Roots Run is a unique four-mile distance that crosses the Clark Fork River four times. Runners and walkers of all ages and paces are encouraged to participate. Registration can be found at www.runwildmissoula.org/races/river-city-roots-run/.
The Family Fun Fest – sponsored by Children’s Dentistry of the Rockies and TDS Fiber – runs from 10am to 2pm Saturday, September 7 in Caras Park. Families will find more than 20 local kid-friendly organizations offering activities and performances, such as the ever-popular Double Bubble Dance Party.
As a showcase of Green Initiatives, Roots Fest has several sustainability practices that are standard – thanks to sponsors Dorsey Whitney, Mountain Line, Republic Services and WGM Group. A carbon-neutral stage, compostable materials required for all vendors, reusable aluminum cups, steel pint commemorative cups, and recycling and composting are all part of the festival. Zero-fare bus service with Mountain Line and expanded bike parking help reduce the impact of driving and parking, and the Green Team provides immense support for the festival thanks to efforts by Home ReSource. A bike valet, thanks to Missoula in Motion, will be available from 6 – 10:30pm both days.
For those looking for a bite to eat or an adult beverage, a Food Court and a Beverage Court will be offered throughout the festival. Over a dozen local food trucks will be open on Ryman Street throughout the event. Local favorites such as El Cazador, Kamoon, M-80 Chicken, Mountain Berry Bowls, River City Eats, and Big Dipper Ice Cream will be among the options. New to the festival, Rhino Catering will have a variety of adult beverages, and all who choose to imbibe will need a Roots Fest wristband and cup. If attendees are looking for a sit-down meal, Downtown Missoula boasts over 100 locally-owned dining locations.
Roots Fest is admission free and accessible for all, thanks to over 30 Missoula businesses who financially support the festival as sponsors. As the signature celebration of the city we love, all attendees are encouraged to remember to be kind and thoughtful while enjoying the festival. Be kind to the volunteers and servers, leave your pets at home, and enjoy all the wonderful things this festival offers our community. While folks are encouraged to bike, walk and bus to the festival, parking will be free throughout Downtown on Friday, September 6, thanks to the generosity of the Missoula Parking Commission.
The full River City Roots Fest schedule follows. For more information, visit www.rivercityrootsfestival.com or contact the Downtown Missoula Partnership office via phone (406-543-4238), email (info@missouladowntown.com) or in person (218 E. Main St).