By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Helena’s largest festival of the year, Buck Creek Festival, will be celebrating its 15^th year as the 2016 festival will be held May 13-14, according to the BCF Facebook page.

The annual festival has grown to become a two-day, family friendly event that exists to raise money for various organizations within the community, as well as to help fund a variety of projects.

Last year, the BCF was one of the most successful festivals in nearly a decade, after raising $22,640 in total funds.

The majority of the money was raised through the festival’s popular duck race, which raised $10,610 last year for the Helena High School Band Boosters.

The 2016 Buck Creek Festival will kickoff Friday, May 13, as 2014 American Idol contestant Jessica Meuse will take the stage to perform. Meuse finished fourth overall in the 2014 American Idol voting.

The two-day festival is filled with a number of different vendors, sponsors, volunteers, musicians, performances and more.

“I’d like to say on behalf of the city, the festival brings a very positive and good light to our city and puts us in a very good image,” Helena Mayor Mark Hall said after last year’s festival. “Not to mention the extra income it brings to the city during that time and people absolutely come back and visit.”

For more information or announcements for the Buck Creek Festival, visit Facebook.com/Buck-Creek-Festival-115700131841249/?fref=ts or Buckcreekfestival.com.