WALLACE — The Historic Wallace Blues Festival showcases award-winning blues bands on the streets of Wallace while also giving back to the community.

This year Blues Fest gave back by donating $500 to The Wallace City Pool, which was recently re-opened after four years of maintenance and upgrades, finally able to have a summer of swimming for the community this year. Harry Magnuson Park also received a donation of $500, the park is at the former location of the Samuels Hotel, a five-floor, five-star hotel that was torn down in 1975. The park remains a memory of the hotel, as well as highlighting the area as a spot to sit and take in the historic town around you.

$1,000 was donated to the Wallace High School Music Department and Team Wallace.

Team Wallace is a 401(c)(3) organization that assists Wallace in providing infrastructure items for anyone hosting events in the Greater Wallace area, from Mullan to Osburn.

Wallace High School Music Director Lauren Bourgard is overjoyed with the donation from Blues Fest, saying, “As a small school, one expects very meager budgets and funding, but since working for Wallace School District as music director, I have found the people of Wallace to be nothing but generous.”

Bourgard said that the band is so grateful for the funds from Blues Fest, as smaller bands don’t often get the encouragement and recognition as those from bigger cities.

“It is motivating us to keep working hard and to get out into the community. We plan to use the money to help with continued repairs on school-owned instruments and to help us travel to Large Group and Solo and Ensemble this year.”

This year the highest number of online tickets were sold in the event’s history, with the line-up including many local favorites, including Coyote Kings with Tiphony Dames, the Doghouse Boyz, Ginger and Rusty, Tina Bailey, Casey Ryan, and the historic headliner Sammy Eubanks and the All-Star Jam band.

Wallace District Arts Council President Marcy Hayman was thrilled with the turnout,

“We would love to throw out a big thank you to all who participated, assisted, and sponsored the event,” said Hayman, “Without them, this wouldn’t happen. Thanks to Dave Smith Motors, Morbeck Foundation, Blackboard Cafe, F&H Mine Supply, Brooks Hotel, Mike Speciality Welding, 3+1 Promotions, and Too Far North Productions.”

For more information on the Blues Fest visit https://www.wallaceblues.com/