MeagherFest '17 set in Helena June 30 to July 1

Press release

The Thomas Francis Meagher Association has announced details regarding the upcoming MeagherFest ’17, with the second set of the event scheduled for next month.

This international history, culture and arts exchange festival commemorates the life and legacy of Thomas Francis Meagher, the Irish patriot who became Montana’s first acting territorial governor, who is commemorated with the statue on the Montana state capital lawn.

The festival opened in Waterford, Ireland, the place of Meagher’s birth in 1823.

Part II takes place on the state capital grounds in Helena June 30 to July 1 from noon till 10 pm. Events are family-friendly and free to the public.

July 1 is the actual 150th anniversary of Meagher’s controversial disappearance in Fort Benton in 1867. He was not quite 44 years old and his body was never recovered.

Meagher’s brief but colorful life touches two world cultures and four continents; his legacy remains as relevant today as a century and a half ago, especially for Montana. His legislation, often bitterly contested, laid the groundwork for Yellowstone Park, Montana’s National Guard, religious and education reform, Native American relations and ultimately, carving Montana statehood out of the wild west.

Festival events include, but are not limited to, historical presentations, demonstrations, guided tours to relative historic sites, panel discussion by field experts, music, dance and poetry, kids’ activities and more. The festival concludes with Polson’s renowned Montana ShamRockers opening for concert headliners Cassie and Maggie McDonald.

For details, visit http://meagherfest.org and follow/like the Thomas Francis Meagher Association on Facebook. The association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and can be contacted through its website, meagherfest.org.