Hard Times Bluegrass Festival Cancelled

The annual Hard Times Bluegrass Festival has joined the lengthening list of gatherings that have been cancelled or postponed this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With current case numbers going up statewide and the incidence of community spread in Ravalli County, Mike and Tari Conroy have decided to not bring the bluegrass bands to the valley for their annual festival in late July.

The announcement was made on their Facebook page Wednesday. Each year, bluegrass fans gathered south of Hamilton in the hills by the Como Curve for a grand gathering of some of the top area bluegrass groups, along with special appearances of the Pioneers of Bluegrass and the youngsters who were just starting out. Mike mentioned that the festival tee-shirts had been printed and will be available on sale for those who would like a keepsake of the festival "that wasn't."