Harvest Fusion is a multi-day festival located in Amsterdam, Montana, the 2017 event took place June 30th - July 2nd. Medicine Pouch Farm has created an outdoor venue on a beautiful 160-acre farm 40 miles outside Bozeman. The festival was started three years ago by Jack Crawford and a couple friends with the goal of supporting Montana’s music and art culture. Harvest Fusion combines art, workshops, numerous vendors, and live music for this two-day event. The activities during the day this year included guest speakers, a chili contest, and many different workshops for both kids and adults, followed by a firework show both nights and music until 6 a.m. The event is very non-exclusive and family oriented with something for everyone to enjoy.

The musical lineup is very diverse, and consists of a wide variety of local artists, in addition to a handful of national artists. I was fortunate enough to attend the festival this year with media passes; and, afterward, was able to sit down with founder Jack Crawford and his partners, Christie Quarles and Hannibal Hayes to talk about the festival. The team has picked artists who are close to them to play the festival, but they can only have 23 acts so, unfortunately, many local artists were not able to play. As the festival continues to grow, they are planning on hiring bigger names and gaining a wider reach but continuing to have local artists perform with the possibility of it becoming a three-day gathering with multiple stages. Everyone in attendance this year was very respectful, and there was very little trash left after the event; they hope to keep drawing the same crowds that are going to be respectful of this special property.

The sponsorships, events, and fundraisers in the local community played a huge role in this event. “The community was everything,” says Jack Crawford. They don’t know where they would be without the support of the local communities of Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, and all the sponsorships from local businesses. This event wouldn’t be made possible without Tom and Mary Crawford who have allowed this event to take place at their property in Amsterdam, at Medicine Pouch Farm.

The Harvest Fusion team would like to give a special thank you to Montana Pro Audio, Suite Dental, Lo Hunter, and Courtney and Tyson Sibbett and everyone who came out and volunteered, and everyone who was involved.

    

In order for Montana to continue having a growing music scene, it is very important that we keep supporting these local events. If you would like to get involved or volunteer for next year you can go to http://www.harvestfusionfestival.com or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/harvestfusion/