Dess Fest Country Music Festival August 17-19 outside of Helena

Hold onto your hats, Southwest Montana.  A 3-day Country Music Festival just outside of Helena is taking place this Thursday through Saturday featuring some homegrown local talent along with acts from across the Northwest and a headliner from Texas.

Dess Fest will open the gates this Thursday the 17th at Lone Pine Hollow located in Birdseye, 7 miles west of the Capitol City.  The venue is spread out over 9 acres and will offer a limited number of campsites along with 9 bands ranging from a Tom Petty tribute band to Butte's own Levi Blom to Saturday night headliner Tanner Usrey.

Thursday the gates open at 3pm where guests are invited to "explore the property, mingle with your camp neighbors, hang out at the pond, play some Cornhole or socialize at the bar".  Full beverage service will be provided by Tings Tavern and other fine Helena vendors like The Original Stop, Montanica, and Montana Hat Bar are expected to be on site as well.

Thursday's performers will be Ben Howard and the Grown Ass Men at 6pm with Eli Howard and the Greater Good following at 8:30.  On Friday the music will start at 4:30pm with Helena favorite Three Eyed Jack, Montana-grown Tom Petty tribute band The Waiting will go on at 7pm and Levi Blom will close out the evening with a set starting at 9:30.  Music on Saturday will begin with Missoula's Jaden Decker at 2:30pm followed by Montana Battle of the Bands champion Jarred Hanson & SunsAh406 at 4:30.  Southern Idaho's EllieMae takes the stage at 7pm and Tanner Usrey will close out things at 9:30.

Here is a link to tickets.