Big Richard Band headlines Whitefish Hootenanny

The Whitefish Trail Hootenanny, considered the local’s finale event of the summer, is planned for Friday, Aug. 25 starting at 5 p.m. in Depot Park in downtown Whitefish.

This community trail celebration and fundraiser offers live bands, kid’s activities, food trucks, local craft beer and a huge raffle benefitting Whitefish Legacy Partners.

Music headliner Big Richard Band has been taking the country by storm with their all-female neo acoustic sound blending traditional bluegrass, classical, country and pop. These well-established Colorado musicians boasting a Grammy, an Emmy and a Platinum record between them, have gained immediate notoriety for their charismatic stage presence and vocal/instrumental prowess.

Bonnie Sims on mandolin, Dr. Joy Adams on cello, Emma Rose on bass and guitar, and Eve Panning on fiddle are driven by sisterhood, harmony and humor along with the shared desire to rage fiddle tunes.

Joining the Hootenanny stage, Archertown is a local favorite. After stints in New York City and Nashville, Kyle and Natalie Archer relocated to Kyle’s hometown of Whitefish and were soon joined by band member John Kay. Their tagline, “Making Music on Mountain Time,” describes the laidback approach to music and life of this pop/country trio who recently released their latest EP “American Dreamers.”

Kicking off the festival, Old Man Ben & the Grown-ass Men, were born as a band during the pandemic in Phillipsburg. Playing a rolling mix of old-time country, bluegrass covers and giggle-worthy originals, they keep audiences grooving with family friendly sing-alongs, blistering banjo solos and four part harmonies that will make you twist your ear horns and politely ask for more.

A highlight of the event is the amazing raffle which includes two unrestricted roundtrip tickets on Alaska Airlines, a season ski pass from Whitefish Mountain Resort, a mountain bike from Glacier Cyclery and Nordic, local lodging gift certificates from the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Firebrand and the Kandahar Lodge, bike gear from Great Northern Cycle & Ski, a backpacking package from RightOnTrek, passes to Legacy Bike Park, and much more. Raffle tickets are available at the event or online at www.whitefishlegacy.org.

Kid’s activities include a bike obstacle course (bring your own bike and helmet) by Whitefish Bike Retreat, art projects by Stumptown Art Studio and hula hoops. Food trucks, craft beer, wine, cider and non-alcoholic beer will be available for purchase. Thanks to Blackstar for the beer sponsorship and to Athletic Brewing for the N/A beer donation. This event is zero waste.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate, with kids 12 and under free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.whitefishlegacy.org or in person at Glacier Cyclery & Nordic and Sportsman and Ski Haus in Whitefish.

All ages are welcome and encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to the event. An after party including Big Richard and Old Man Ben & the Grown-ass Men will be held at music sponsor Great Northern Bar & Grill (separate tickets needed).

The event is made possible by title sponsor First Interstate Bank and event sponsors BNSF Railway, Glacier Restaurant Group, National Parks Realty, and Edward Jones Financial Advisor Joel Pemberton. Music sponsors include Great Northern Bar & Grill and 101 Central.