By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Publisher

HELENA – The banks of Buck Creek in Helena will once again soon be filled with people as the annual Buck Creek Festival approaches.

The event, which is now held each fall in the city of Helena, is set for Oct. 11-12 with exciting fun throughout the two-day festival, including top local vendors, a variety of food trucks, live entertainment both days and of course the famous duck race over the Davidson Dam.

“We are excited to see everyone back at the banks of Buck Creek once again for another great year of music, food and the iconic duck race,” said Buck Creek Festival President JoAnna Harman. “This free, family-friendly event provides plenty of fun for the whole family, including crafts, children’s activities, food, beverages and of course live music.”

The festival will kick off on Friday night with live music from JD and The Man starting at 6 p.m., while A1A will follow to cap off the opening night of musical entertainment at 8 p.m.

“Get ready to close out the night singing along to the songs you know by heart with the official and longest running Jimmy Buffett tribute show,” Harman said. “It will be a performance worthy of your best flip flops and your finest shaker of salt.”

That will lead into an eventful Saturday to close out the popular event with more than 70 vendors in attendance, including 11 food vendors, live music throughout the day and the popular duck race down Buck Creek.

The music lineup for Saturday includes Hooley at 10 a.m., the Helena High School Jazz Band at 11:45 a.m., Big Silver at 1:15 p.m., The Negotiators at 3:45 p.m. and The M-80’s to close it out at 6 p.m.

The duck race will begin at 3 p.m. as thousands of rubber ducks are released at the top of the dam and travel over the waterfall into the net of the duck wranglers.

The event is free to attend, but those wanting to participate in the duck race will need to purchase tickets with all funds raised going to local charities and poured back into the community.

Food vendors for the event include BG’s Mini Donuts, Corn King, El Tejano, Kona Ice, Momo Cajun Eatz, Nettie B’s Grill, Pasteles La MoreliAna Truck, T and A Ohana LemonAid, Uncle G’s Pizza Food Truck, Venice Gelato and Wild West Dog Shack.

For more information, visit HelenasBuckCreekFestival.com.