Under the Big Sky is turning up the volume for a sixth year, bringing an array of country, folk, bluegrass and rock acts to center stage just outside Whitefish this weekend.

The music festival, which usually brings around 20,000 to the area, runs Friday through Sunday with sets starting at noon and wrapping up at 11 p.m. The three-day event takes place on Big Mountain Ranch east of Whitefish.  

Headliners Red Clay Strays, Mumford and Sons and Tyler Childers are slated to close out each night this year. Local acts, like Drew Landry & The North County Ramblers, Halladay Quist, Buffalo Traffic Jam, North Fork Crossings and others, will also grace the festival’s two stages throughout the weekend. 

Residents of Whitefish and Columbia Falls should expect increased traffic, particularly before and after the festival each day. While it might cause a bit of a delay for motorists, the business community is looking forward to the influx of people.  

“Under the big sky is unique with us in that it really empties out our downtown area during the day and during the festival hours and then it loads up again before the shows start and into the evening,” said Kevin Gartland, executive director of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.  

In terms of traffic surrounding the festival grounds, law enforcement plans on continuing normal patrols outside of the festival grounds, according to Charles Pesola, spokesperson for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.  

There will be temporary signage on Montana 40, Pesola said, as well as a temporary traffic light at Dillon Road on Montana 40, according to Gartland.  

“In regards to the actual festival, we are relying pretty heavily on our volunteer forces,” Pesola said.  

Sheriff’s deputies and volunteer auxiliary officers will be in uniform on festival grounds throughout the weekend to assist with medical, legal or civil incidents. Under the Big Sky and the Sheriff’s Office partner with Logan Health and the Whitefish Fire Department to have first aid and emergency response personnel onsite.  

“People need to be patient because traffic will be increased,” Pesola said. “The same thing with communications — understand that this type of event puts a heavy strain on our cell networks.” 

THERE ARE two main parking areas for the festival this year, each with a general admission entrance. They are located off Voerman and Edgewood roads. The VIP entrance is on Edgewood Road.  

Free shuttles will run to the festival from three offsite locations with the first pickup at 11 a.m. There are two pickup spots in Whitefish: one in the Whitefish Village Loop, next to the Bierstube on Big Mountain, and another at Depot Park in downtown Whitefish. A third shuttle will run from the Blue Moon near Columbia Falls, ferrying attendees to the Voerman Road lot.  

The shuttle service ends at midnight.  

Attendees must have a valid form of identification to enter the festival.  

“Come prepared for weather conditions, stay hydrated. Our goal is to have a safe and fun event for our community and festivalgoers and that takes some personal responsibility and investment to make sure it goes that way,” Pesola said.  

Free water refill stations will be available on the festival grounds, and attendees can bring in empty, 32-ounce or less water bottles. Bags are also permitted, but they must be at most 18-inches tall, 13-inches wide and 8-inches thick when packed.  

For more information and rules, visit underthebigskyfest.com.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached 758-4459 or [email protected].