GLACIER COUNTRY CALENDAR OF EVENTS OUT TO LUNCH June 6-Aug. 29 Out to Lunch is the longest-running performing arts festival in the state of Montana. It attracts thousands of people to Caras Park every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in June, July and August. Out to Lunch features some of Missoula’s best food and performing artists from throughout the region. Visit Missouladowntown.com. DOWNTOWN TONIGHT June 7-Aug. 30 Downtown ToNight is Missoula’s outdoor, after-work happy hour and features live music, exceptional food vendors and a beer garden. Downtown ToNight is held every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. from June-August. Visit Missouladowntown.com. GARDEN CITY RIVER ROD RUN June 22-23 Hundreds of classic cars join the festivities located in Missoula’s Caras Park, including the Friday night Cruisin’ Parade on Higgins Avenue and two-day Show and Shine. This year the River Rod Run will be put on by the Five Valley Ford Club. Visit Fivevalleyfordclub.com or call (406) 7280324 for more information. SUMMER MADE FAIR June 24 A modern art and handcrafted market featuring local and regional artists and makers. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Caras Park. Visit Handmademontana.com. MISSOULA MARATHON July 13-15 A weekend celebration had evolved around the Sunday marathon and attracts runners from across the U.S. Visit Missoulamarathon.org. CELTIC FESTIVAL MISSOULA July 28 Eighth annual event features the Young Dubliners, a festival regular, and as many as three other bands, at Missoula’s Caras Park. Other regular features include children’s activities, Irish road bowling, the Celtic Dragon Pipe Band and traditional music and dance. Visit Celticfestivalmissoula.com for more information. MADE FAIR MARKETPLACE Aug. 7-12 A modern art and handcrafted market featuring local and regional artists and makers. Western Montana Fairgrounds Commercial Building. Visit Handmademontana.com. RIVER CITY ROOTS FESTIVAL Aug. 24-25 Missoula’s signature celebration of the city, Roots Fest attracts more than 10,000 individuals to the heart of the community
SUMMERFEST CAR SHOW Aug. 11 Event begins at 8 a.m. in downtown Polson. FLATHEAD LAKE BLUES FESTIVAL Aug. 17-18 Held at the Regatta Shoreline Amphitheater, Polson Fairgrounds. Visit Flatheadlakebluesfestival.com for more information. 20TH ANNUAL POLSON FLY-IN Sept. 8 Held at the Polson Airport.
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Off the shore of Flathead Lake, musicians sing the blues at the annual Flathead Lake Blues Festival, Aug. 17-18. for a variety of fun activities and was named the 2009 Montana Tourism Event of the Year. This event features quality live performances on a big stage on West Main Street, a juried art show, entertainment for children and families and a 4-mile run. This admission-free festival takes place annually the last weekend in August. Visit Rivercityrootsfestival.com for more information.
OVANDO FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Called “The Biggest Taste of Old Time Americana, by the Smallest Old Town.” Ovando stands proud decorated in red, white and blue with flags flying everywhere. Including a Fourth of July Parade whose theme every year is “Everybody participates! Nobody watches;” with more horse entries than humans; patriotic speeches in front of the museum and lunch where the town’s volunteer fire department serves up a slab of beef so tender you don’t even need a knife. See Ovandomontana.net.
POLSON SENIOR OLYMPICS IN POLSON AND RONAN June 14-16 Email kayjn3@gamil.com, visit Montana. fusesport.com or call (406) 586-5543. MISSION MOUNTAIN NRA RODEO June 22-23 Youth events include Mutton Bustin’ and Mini Bull Riding, 7:30 p.m. at the Mission Mountain NRA Rodeo. Other rodeo events include bareback, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, team roping, tie down roping, ladies and youth barrel racing, ladies and youth breakaway roping and bull riding. Tickets $10 adult, $5 children under 12. Live music after Friday nights performance. Free vendors fair, no food items. (406) 261-2861 or (406) 883-1100.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION July 4 The Independence Day celebration kicks off with a parade at noon and fireworks at dusk. Contact the Polson Chamber of Commerce with questions at (406) 883-5969. MIRACLE OF AMERICA MUSEUM’S ANNUAL LIVE HISTORY DAYS July 21-22 The museum is open each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in Polson. Visit Miracleofamericamuseum.org or call Gil at (406) 883-6264 for details. POLSON MAIN STREET CHERRY FESTIVAL July 21-22 More than 100 vendors converge on downtown Polson, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday. Bring the entire family. Visit Flatheadcherryfestival.com for more information. FLATHEAD LAKE 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT July 28-29 Established in 1992, the Flathead Lake 3-on-3 is Montana’s longest running 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Visit Theflatheadlake3on3.com for more information. 4TH ANNUAL FLATHEAD LAKE FESTIVAL OF ART July 28-29 On the shores of Flathead Lake at Sacajawea Park in Polson from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit Sandpiperartgallery.com for more information. 47TH ANNUAL SANDPIPER ART FESTIVAL Aug. 11 This annual event takes place on the Lake County Courthouse lawn 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit Sandpiperartgallery.com or call (406) 883-5956 for more information.
WESTERN HERITAGE DAYS IN STEVENSVILLE June 22-24 A chuck wagon cook-off, beer garden, live music/street dance, parade, Salish drumming, singing, dancing presentations throughout the day at Historic St. Mary’s Mission, arts, crafts and vendors, sidewalk sales, and open houses throughout downtown Stevensville and more. For more information call (406) 777-3773 or visit Mainstreetstevensville.com. CREAMERY PICNIC Aug. 3-4 A traditional, family-oriented Stevensville celebration with a parade, Montana State Bar-B-Q contest, food vendors, crafters and booths; and incredible ice cream. For more information, visit Creamerypicnic.com or call (406) 777-3773.
ST. REGIS ST. REGIS FLEA MARKET May 26-28 Annual flea market occurs over Memorial Day Weekend in St. Regis. Visit Stregismtflea.org for more information.
TROUT CREEK TROUT CREEK HUCKLEBERRY FESTIVAL Aug. 10-12 More than 100 arts and crafts vendors display and sell wares at Trout Creek Community Park. Events include entertainment on stage, a parade, a 5K run, and much more. Visit Huckleberryfestival.com for more information.
WHITEFISH HUCKLEBERRY DAYS ARTS FESTIVAL Aug. 10-12 Art festival with more than 100 artists and food vendors, local live entertainment, a mobile climbing wall for kids and adults and a huckleberry dessert bake-off contest. All events take place in/around Depot Park, Whitefish, unless otherwise noted. Call (406) 862-3501 for more information.
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