Gospel music comes to Malta

This weekend, from Friday through Sunday, Malta will play host to gospel and bluegrass musicians and fans from around the country, as well as Canada, at their 17th annual Milk River Gospel Jamboree.

The weekend-long event includes performances from eight gospel and bluegrass groups and musicians from Arkansas, Washington state, Minnesota, Missouri and Canada.

“The Milk River Gospel Jamboree is a nonprofit (501(c)(3)), created to bring gospel music to north-central Montana,” the official website of the event says.

Milk River Gospel Jamboree Vice Chairman Jim Fauth, who said he has been with the jamboree since a few years after it began, said the event includes musical performances, meals, raffles and drawings.

Free-will offerings will be accepted.

“No tickets will be sold,” Fauth said, adding that everyone, no matter what denomination or religion, are welcome to attend.

The event will begin Friday evening with a meal and performances at Malta High School Auditorium, Fauth said. Saturday will include a lunch and dinner and a large performance with a longer set and, Sunday morning, the musicians will perform at local churches before a lunch and one more performance at the auditorium.

The raffles being held will include items like quilts and plant holders, and people can buy the tickets at the performances or from members of the jamboree organization, he said.

The weekend is financed through the raffles, drawings, and local sponsors, Fauth said, adding that the event is good for the Malta community, as it sells a lot of hotel rooms and brings business to the area through the visiting musicians and fans.

This event is also important, Fauth said, because “it is providing good gospel entertainment on the Hi-Line.”

For more information on this event, including a list of sponsors, schedules, and a list of raffle items, people can visit their website at https://www.mrgjamboree.org/.