Hamilton — The Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival outside Hamilton wrapped up its run after 17 years as founders Mike and Tari Conroy said they were ready to end the event on a high note.

The festival began after the 2008 financial crisis as a way to share bluegrass music in a family-friendly setting without costing people too much. Mike and Tari Conroy launched it with their own money and help from friends in the bluegrass community.

“When we started it, we took $2000 out of our savings. We started calling all our bluegrass friends just to help us get this thing goin’,” Mike Conroy said.

Over the years, the event brought in people from across the country to the Hamilton area.

This includes Dan Hobbs and Jeri Mader from Walla Walla, Washington, who came with an older friend hoping to check the festival off his bucket list.

“Just enjoyed the music. Family oriented, offers something for everybody. It is wonderful music. Sorry it's the last one,” Dan Hobbs and Jeri Mader said.

The Conroys said many people are sad to learn the festival is ending.

“We’ve got a lot of disappointed people. A lot of 'em get a little teary-eyed, actually. They come up to us and say I suppose its bittersweet, Mike and I say it's just sweet. It's been a great success, it's been everything we’ve wanted to be,” Tari Conroy said.

The Conroys say they plan to remain active in the local bluegrass scene despite the festival ending.