River City Roots Festival kicks off this weekend in downtown Missoula

The Missoula Downtown Association will open the 13th Annual River City Roots Festival tonight, featuring the New Orleans Suspects as the evening headliner.

The party continues on Saturday, Aug. 25, with the the Grammy Award-winning Infamous Stringdusters.

The festival celebrates all Missoula has to offer, including exceptional arts and culture, healthy living and local food and beverages. Climate Smart Missoula and other organizations will highlight sustainability practices, and a bike valet will be on hand for the second year.

The weekend event is free and full of family-friendly fun, thanks to support from more than 30 Missoula-area businesses that sponsor the event. Major sponsors include Destination Missoula, Windfall, the Trail 103.3, Gecko Designs, Big Sky Brewing, Bob Wards Sports and Outdoors, Blackfoot and First Interstate Bank.