News

Volunteering Like Rock Stars

Last weekend, Five Valleys was honored to have been chosen to pour beer and sell drink tickets at the first annual Travelers’ Rest Festival at Big Sky Brewing Company.  The two day music festival included concerts by 17 bands, two stages, and expanded festival grounds for the 6,000 attendees.

Volunteers manning the bar at the Travelers' Rest Festival. Photo by Five Valleys staff.
The first annual Travelers' Rest Festival had nearly 6,000 thirsty attendees! Photo by Five Valleys staff.
The first annual Travelers' Rest Festival had nearly 6,000 thirsty attendees. Photo by Five Valleys staff.
Beth Cogswell, former Five Valleys staff member, and Glenn Marx, president of MALT, helped sell tickets. Photo by Five Valleys staff.

In exchange for pouring beer and selling drink tickets, Five Valleys received a portion of the beer sales proceeds.  In 2016, the Big Sky Brewing Company Summer Concert Series raised $44,000 for conservation in western Montana. This year, proceeds and tips will support the Mount Dean Stone project.

Volunteers also sold beverage tickets. No matter the station, it was a good time! Photo by Five Valleys staff.
Volunteers also sold beverage tickets. No matter the station, it was a good time! Photo by Five Valleys staff.

To handle the drink needs of thousands of thirsty festival goers, Five Valleys enlisted the help of over 150 community volunteers—an unprecedented effort. The volunteers worked in shifts to staff the two bars, sell drink tickets at the four ticket booths, and man the Five Valleys information table. Whether in sun, wildfire smoke, rain or the bustle of a festival, our volunteers were nothing short of amazing. Many came back for more than one shift!

Great music, great beer, great volunteers, all supporting our great open spaces! Photo by Five Valleys staff.
Great music, great beer, great volunteers, all supporting our great open spaces! Photo by Five Valleys staff.

A huge thank you to our volunteers, Big Sky Brewing Company, headliner band The Decemberists, and production company Knitting Factory Presents for making the Travelers’ Rest Festival a resounding success.  Great music, great beer and great fun was had by all!

The Decemberists closed out both nights of the festival. What a fun way to support conservation! Photo by Five Valleys staff.
The Decemberists closed out both nights of the festival. What a fun way to support conservation! Photo by Five Valleys staff.

On September 24th, Five Valleys will close out Big Sky Brewing Co.’s summer concert season by pouring beer at the Modest Mouse concert.  Click here to learn more about, and volunteer for, this event.

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