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BUTTE, Mont. (AP) Fundraising efforts are under way for next year's National Folk Festival in Butte.

The event is scheduled for July 10-12.

George Everett, a member of the Festival Executive Committee, says organizers must raise $1.2 million to ensure that they remain true to the event's guiding principle that admission to all performances is free. He says the earlier they get started with fundraising, the better.

Organizers have started lining up sponsors and plan to begin publicizing the festival this fall. They're also collecting donations and selling merchandise on the festival's Web site.

Butte landed the host role for the National Folk Festival for three years. The first three-day event was held this past summer and drew roughly 75,000 people.

Everett says organizers expect attenDance at the 2009 festival to double.

On the Net: National Folk Festival information, applications, www.nationalfolkfestival.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-09-08 1406CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list