101 Things to Do in the Bitterroot Valley

101

things to do in the

Bitterroot Valley

A publication of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Ravalli Republic Newspaper.

may 2011

Pam Wood

Judy McCormick

406-880-6968 pam.wood@prumt.com

406-360-1319 judy.mccormick@prumt.com

Catherine Lindbeck

Laura Merrill

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Jan King

Becky Thoft

406-375-8784 jan.king@prumt.com

406-369-1442 becky.thoft@prumt.com

Kayla Clark

406-240-3363 kayla.clark@prumt.com

Maggie Turner

406-360-8348 bruce.gould@prumt.com

Naomi Gary

Sheree Fowler

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Sharon Dedmon

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Bruce Gould

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Bruce Stiegler

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406-375-8783 sheree.fowler@prumt.com

Kathie Butts

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4 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Welcome

to our second edition of “101 Things To Do In The Bitterroot”!

As you browse these pages, we are certain that you will be intrigued with the variety of “things to do” in our beautiful valley and will yearn to explore us “From River to Ridge™”. We encourage you to take a moment, slooow down a bit, and sample the distinctive flavors and character of our valley communities.

It is appropriate that we gratefully acknowledge the Ravalli Republic, who partnered with us in this collaborative effort and that we recognize the contributing efforts of the six (6) communities that comprise our Bitterroot Valley - as it was these folks that made this collaborative publication possible.

So, before you embark upon your exciting tour……I urge that your very FIRST stop – be the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. Here you will find our helpful and knowledgeable staff ready to supply you with state and local maps, visitor information, retail resources, lodging recommendations and real estate opportunities. For those that are so inclined, you can also contact us at www.bvchamber.com.

Welcome to our way of life, welcome to our Bitterroot Valley.

Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Rick O’Brien * Executive Director

The Ravalli Republic

would like to extend a very special thank you to Carol Smith from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee for her more than generous help on this project. Carol is a tireless volunteer who has invested her time into presenting our beautiful valley as the amazing destination it is! Thank you Carol!

If you would like to have your organization or event considered for inclusion in the 2012 list of 101 Things, submit a paragraph of about 100 words, describing why someone should attend or visit your event or attraction. Submissions can be mailed to the BVCC at 105 E Main Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 If you would like to advertise in the 2012 edition, call the Ravalli Republic at 363-3300

This publication contains photos by: Perry Backus, David Erickson, Sepp Janotta and Will Moss

101 Things to do in the

Bitterroot Valley published by the Ravalli Republic Newspaper and the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Editor: Sherry Devlin Production & Design Jodi Lopez & Dara Saltzman Project Sales Andrew Kilian Brent Schlimgen Cheryl Tenold Contributors: Dale Burke, Stoneyville Press; George Corn, avid skier and hiker; Adele Dicken, South Valley Civic Group; April Johnson, Daly Mansion; Bob Kraft, Fish Wildlife & Parks; Tod Mckay, Bitterroot National Forest; Rich Morrisey, Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot; Joan Prather, Stevi Main Street; Deborah Rogala, Ravalli County Museum; Bob Rummel and the Chamber AgriBusiness Committee; Tamar Stanley, Ravalli County Museum and representatives of dozens of organizations, businesses, attractions, and events whose events are listed in this publication.

101 Things To Do in the Bitterroot Valley 2011 is a publication of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Ravalli Republic, a division of Lee Enterprises. Copyright 2011 by the BVCC and Ravalli Republic.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 5

In this Issue Introduction

4

Acknowledgements

4

101 Things Outdoor Recreation & Wildlife

7

Winter Recreation

19

Explore the History of the Bitterroot

22

Enjoy Our Festivals and Events

32

Arts & Entertainment

46

Agriculture in the Bitterroot

54

Bitterroot for Kids

61

Other Interesting Things to Do

68

Bitterroot Communities

74

Calendar of Events in Bitterroot Valley

80

Advertiser Index

98

101

6 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

things to do in the

Bitterroot Valley Come to the beautiful Bitterroot Valley, a place where the stunning peaks of the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains meet the gorgeous, fertile, tree-filled Bitterroot Valley. The Bitterroot River flows north through the valley, which opens into wide plains with historic towns. This is a place where the celebrated Lewis and Clark, and Nez Perce trails meet modern, thriving communities. The Bitterroot Valley is 96 miles long and, at its widest spot, 25 miles across, encompassing 2,394 square miles.

Publicly owned land comprises 74% of the valley; only 24% is privately owned. There are many interesting things to do here, which you will read about in the pages of this publication, but the breathtaking scenery is the most impressive attraction of the valley. The Bitterroot Valley is truly a place like no other.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 7

OUTDOOR RECREATION & WILDLIFE

So many places look the same. Montana is not one of those places. For travelers seeking to recharge in the great outdoors, Montana is the Promised Land. Our real treasures lie beyond the obvious sweeping vistas, pristine trout streams, and powder-rich ski areas. With lots of open space, crystal fresh air,

and a landscape that invites you to explore, the Bitterroot Valley is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise! Here the outdoor enthusiast can indulge his passion for outdoor sports and recreation of every kind. The Bitterroot Valley is GeoTourism at its best.

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8 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

1. TAKE A BITTERROOT VALLEY SCENIC DRIVE Highway 93 is the main artery of the Bitterroot Valley Scenic Drive. The highway winds through the valley with the towering Bitterroot Range to the west and the Bitterroot River and Sapphire Mountains on the east. There are plenty of places to pull off the highway to take in the beautiful views. Limited construction delays on Hwy 93 can be avoided by turning east to the Eastside Highway at Bell Crossing on the north end, or at Corvallis on the south end.

For the more adventurous driver, the Skalkaho Highway, east off 93, just south of Hamilton, offers incredible views and a waterfall as it winds up and over the Sapphire Range.

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2. FISH THE BEAUTIFUL BITTERROOT RIVER The Bitterroot River flows north for 84 miles through the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. The East and West Forks of the Bitterroot and its feeder creeks offer many more miles of fishable waters. The Bitterroot and its forks are classic free stone Montana rivers full of rainbow, brown, brook and Westslope cutthroat trout, together with hybrid rainbow/cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish. The Bitterroot is generally floatable for much of its length with many public access points for boat launches and takeouts as well as wade fishing. During times of high (spring runoff) or low flows (mid to

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10 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

late summer), be sure to check in with a local outfitter or outdoor shop for an update on float conditions. In Montana, all “navigable” waters permit full public access to the high water mark. The river is open all year to catch and release. All feeder creeks of the Bitterroot River are subject to usual Western District fishing regulations. Pick up a copy of Fish, Wildlife and Park’s current regulations at any local fly shop. For more information, call FWP at (406) 542-5500, or go to fwp.mt.gov.

3. EXPERIENCE SUPERB BIRDING AT THE LEE METCALF NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE The Bitterroot Valley offers some of North America’s best birding. The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for migratory birds. Over 200 species of birds have been seen on Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Ospreys, Great-blue Herons, Bald Eagles and many species of waterfowl can be easily seen throughout the year.

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Migratory ducks, geese and swans move through in large numbers in spring and fall.

The area provides stopover spots for many species of shore birds and neo-tropical migratory songbirds that breed on the Refuge. With a wide array of species of various sizes, the refuge provides an outstanding opportunity for wildlife viewing and photo opportunities.

For more information, go to: http://www.fws. gov/leemetcalf.

4. OBSERVE THE WILDLIFE AT THE TELLER The Teller Wildlife Refuge, which runs along the Bitterroot River, is comprised of 1,200 acres of farmland and river bottom dedicated to the conservation of western Montana’s finest native riparian habitat. The Teller is a wildlife paradise where you can observe Whitetail deer, moose, red foxes, coyotes, porcupines, marmots, beaver, otter, muskrats and many smaller mammals. Many heroes of American conservation came to their understanding of

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 11

conservation through hunting and fishing. Understanding this, The Teller offers limited whitetail deer, waterfowl and pheasant hunting for the public in cooperation with the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Block Management Program. For more information, call (406) 961-3507 or go to http://www.theteller.org.

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12 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

5. EXPLORE THREE-MILE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Nine miles east of Florence is Three-mile Wildlife Management area, which encompasses 6,059 acres. The area is great for hunting, wildlife viewing, bird watching and mountain biking during the summer; it is closed in winter to protect elk on their winter range. Here you are most likely to observe songbirds and raptors commonly found in upland grasslands and ponderosa pine forests, but visitor sometimes spot black bears and elk here as well. For more information, go to http://fwp. mt.gov/habitat/wildlifeManagementAreas/.

6. ENJOY THE WATER AT ON A SUMMER DAY Swimming, fishing, boating and water skiing are popular at Lake Como and Painted Rocks Reservoir. The swimming area at Lake Como has beach access and is roped off from the rest of the lake. A hikersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trail leads along the north side to an unimproved campground

above the falls. From Memorial Day through Labor Day all vehicles parked within the recreation area must display a valid Recreation Pass which is $5/day per vehicle or $30/season. Senior Passports are honored at all day use fee sites. Painted Rocks is located southwest of Conner on the West Fork of the Bitterroot River in a secluded pine forest setting where you might observe a herd of Big Horn Sheep on the cliffs above. For more information, go to: www.fwp.mt.gov/parks/visit.

7. CAMP IN THE MOUNTAINS OF MONTANA Every family has its favorite campsite. There are many from which to choose. One of them is Rock Creek Horse Camp has 11 campsites, four of which are pull-through. There are hitch rails, feed troughs, accessible toilets, garbage, but no water. There is also one group site with a large fire ring and parking for 5 vehicles. For more information, go to: www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot.

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 13

It is not unusual to see elk or moose. You can learn about the geology that formed the region, hear about Lewis & Clark’s trip through the valley, identify and photograph the many animals and birds you will observe along the way or just sit back and enjoy the natural splendor of it all. For more information, go to www.bitterrootraftingadventures.com.

8. ENJOY A RELAXING RIVER RAFT FLOAT TRIP THROUGH THE SCENIC BITTERROOT VALLEY A raft trip on the Bitterroot River, one of the more scenic rivers in Montana, is a river activity the non-fishing side of the family can enjoy.

The valley is wide and lush, offering excellent views into the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains. Wildlife is abundant, whitetail and mule deer are common, as are osprey and eagles.

9. GRAB YOUR RIFLE OR BOW AND GO HUNTING Sporting endless access to1.6 million acres of public land in the Bitterroot and Lolo National Forests, the Bitterroot Valley is a hunter’s dream. Trophy class big game in the Bitterroot includes elk, deer, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, black bear and mountain lion.

For upland birds the hunter has wild turkey, grouse and pheasant. Waterfowl hunting is a bonus. Several professional outfitters & guides operate in the valley. You can hunt on your own, or take advantage of the valley’s af-

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14 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

fordable sportsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lodges, motels, restaurants & other services. They welcome your visit, cater to the out of town sportsmen and frequently share local hunting know how.

10. EXPERIENCE THE BITTERROOT VALLEY WITH A LOCAL OUTFITTER Taking a guided trip with a local outfitter can make a vacation more productive and educational. They have the expertise that can only be gained with many years spent in our wonderful valley. The Bitterroot Valley is loaded with guided opportunities, such as fly fishing, scenic float trips, big game hunting, trail rides, backcountry camping, overnight float trips, wildlife viewing, bird watching and much more. Escape into the spectacular scenery, rugged canyons, breathtaking vistas, exhilarating rivers, streams and lakes that make up the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. For information on local guides, call the Chamber at 406-3632400, or go to www.visitbitterroot.com.

11. REVEL IN SPECTACULAR HIKING IN THE BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS The Bitterroot Mountains offer many choices for the avid hiker. For spectacular views of

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 15

the massive cliffs and rock spires of Blodgett Canyon, hike along Blodgett Creek. For short hikes with a view, try the Bear Creek Overlook near Victor or the Blodgett View’s 1.4 mile hike near Hamilton. For an easy and scenic hike, try the first three miles of Bear Creek Trail with its pools, falls and natural waterslides. For grand views of the mid valley and rugged crags of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, hike four miles to the summit of St. Mary’s peak which has a fire lookout for comfortable viewing. For a challenging trail hike, try Trapper Peak, the Bitterroot’s highest at 10,157 ft. For more information, go to the Bitterroot National Forest’s website @www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot for locations and a brief description of many hikes or visit any Forest Service office. Local bookstores also carry excellent guidebooks.

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12. SEE THE RUGGED BITTERROOT AND SAPPHIRE MOUNTAINS OF MONTANA ON AN ATV The Bitterroot offers two “designated” ATV trails--Overwhich Falls Trail, which has some advanced riding and leads to a beautiful falls in the back country; and Chain of Lakes Trail, which starts easy, and gradually becomes more advanced. This trail overlooks several mountain lakes and is located in a proposed wilderness area. Many species of wildlife can be seen such as elk, mule deer, white tailed deer, moose, coyotes and bald eagles. For more information, go to http://www.bitterrootadventures.com.

13. GO HORSEBACK RIDING IN THE LARGEST CONTIGUOUS WILDERNESS AREA IN THE LOWER 48 STATES The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area, combined with the Frank Church and River of No Return Wilderness areas, make up the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 states. It is a favorite spot for backpacking, horseback riding, river rafting and fishing. The Wilderness contains sheer walls, cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and subalpine lake basins.

Call Selway Adventures for a trail ride out of the Lost Horse Lodge and the West Fork of the Bitterroot, as well as the Selway wilderness.

They can take you anything from a one hour ride to weekly trips. For more information, call (406) 821-0017 or go to www.selwayadventures.com.

14. EXPERIENCE AN OUTSTANDING DAY OF PHEASANT HUNTING The Fetch Inn is the Northwest’s finest pheasant hunting preserve. It is situated in bottomland along the Bitterroot River. While enjoying your hunt, don’t be surprised to see some of the other residents of the Fetch Inn: deer, elk, moose, bear, grouse ducks and geese. They live here and don’t mind sharing their terrain with you. Photographers marvel at the Fetch Inn’s scenic vistas and majestic animals. Fetch Inn has earned a reputation among the fin-

est hunting preserves in the country, offering a tremendously fast quarry in a spectacular setting at the edge of the largest wilderness in the lower 48 states.

15. WANT TO BE A WILD WEST COWBOY? PRACTICE YOUR MARKSMANSHIP The Whitecar Rifle Range is located on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks land. Its six shooting ranges are open to the public Wednesday through Sunday 52 weeks a year. The calendar of activities includes matches and classes.

For more information, go to www.whittecarrange.com. The purpose of the Hamilton Trap Club is to promote trap and skeet shooting.

It is to be a nonprofit organization and any profits made are used to improve the club grounds and buildings. The club recently added a beautiful Five-Stand range. It is located at the Ravalli County Airport. For more information, go to www.hamiltontrapclub.com.

16. FOLLOW THE TRANSAMERICA BICYCLE TRAIL A 4,250-mile cross-country, on-road bicycle route, the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail (TAT) runs from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia, running right through the Bitterroot Valley on Highway 93. This remarkable bike route was designed for the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration, and the trail continues to be one of the most popular coast-to-coast bike routes ever developed. The Bitterroot Valley offers countless opportunities and endless vistas for cre-

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 17

ating your own cycling adventure. For more information, go to: http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/transamerica.cfm.

18 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

17. RIDE DE ROOT, DARBY TO STEVENSVILLE, ROUND TRIP, JULY 9, 2011 The Ride de Root bicycle ride covers 100 miles. Riders will take Highway 93 north out of Darby, turn right just south of Hamilton and ride along the beautiful back roads of the east side of the valley, past the towns of Hamilton, Corvallis, and Victor, while enjoying breathtaking views of the Bitterroot mountains and passing apple orchards and farm lands.

From Stevensville, riders will cross Highway 93 and head south along the roads west of Victor and Pinesdale which provide fabulous vistas of the Sapphire Mountains. After passing through Hamilton, riders return to Highway 93 for the final 17 miles to Darby, where a delicious barbeque awaits. For more information, call (406) 529-7887 or email heidigraham@ gmail.com, or visit http://darbymt.net/mapmyride.html.

18. TOUR OF THE BITTERROOT, JULY 17, 2011 This cycling event, sponsored by the Bitter Root Land Trust, is focused on getting people out biking in the beautiful landscapes of the Bitterroot Valley. This year’s Tour of the Bitterroot will focus on non-competitive events for all ability levels. You can try the 46-mile Skalkaho Mountain Tour (½ road ride – ½ dirt ride), get the family out for the Sleeping

Child Family Challenge, bring the kids down for the Dirt Road Derby or have a great time volunteering and enjoying the after-party at Red Barn Bicycles. Participants will be taking pledges for the Land Trust to earn prizes. For more information, call (406) 375-0956 go to www.tourofthebitterroot.org.

19. LAKE COMO TRIATHLON II, JULY 23 The Lake Como Triathlon will challenge and inspire you in this beautiful mountain lake location, the Bitterroot National Forest. Triathletes regard Lake Como, as a perfect place to have a triathlon. The event is limited to 100 racers. The 1,500 yd. swim is in ice-melt Lake Como, wetsuits highly recommended. The 12.6 mi. Mountain Bike race is on Forest Service Roads and three single tracks. The overall elevation change is 2,280. The 7.7 mi. Run is a scenic single-track trail run around the perimeter of the lake. There are waterfalls and a bridge at midpoint; the trail ends on the dam.

For more information, go to: http://www.trifind.com/re_12146/LakeComoTriathlon.html.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 19

WINTER RECREATION Sheltered between two mountain ranges, winters in the Bitterroot Mountains are fairly mild, earning the valley the nickname “Banana Belt of the West”. While snow seldom accumulates more than six inches on the

valley floor, the annual average at Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area is 300 inches of pristine powder. Winter sports enthusiasts find many outlets for their passion and visitors flock to the Bitterroot to enjoy the activities and the

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scenic beauty. Imagine a soft snowfall and crisp, clean mountain air as the backdrop for your Christmas vacation. In the freshly fallen snow, go on a brisk horseback ride or take an invigorating snowmobile expedition through the glistening winter wonderland.

skis and snowboards. Located at the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley, Lost Trail has a vertical drop of 1,800 ft.; its longest run is 2.5 miles. For more information, go to www.losttrail.com.

20. POWDER TO THE PEOPLE Nestled along the Continental Divide at 7,000 feet, Lost Trail Powder Mountain offers great powder for skiers and snowboarders. With over 300 inches of snowfall, a large mountain, good grooming and its legendary Powder Thursdays, this family-friendly area has something for everyone. There are gentle beginner trails, long intermediate runs and challenging moguls along with glades and drops for experts. The areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest point offers views of at least seven mountain ranges. The day lodge and lower yurt offer great food and drinks. A PSIA ski and snowboard school serves all levels and ages, and the rental shop has

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21. EXPLORE THE BACK COUNTRY ON CROSS COUNTRY SKIS Backcountry skiing starts at any Forest Service road or trail head. It can range from ski touring, snow covered roads on Nordic skis to turns in deep powder on alpine touring and telemark gear. The best source for backcountry skiing information in the Bitterroots is: www. backcountryfocus.com. For food and lodging, Downing Mountain Lodge is a 3,000 square foot, log-built, backcountry ski lodge located just west of Hamilton, at an elevation of 5,550 feet which offers access to 3,000 vertical feet of unlimited powder skiing. For reservations, confirmations and questions, downingmountain@gmail.com. The Lake Como Recreation Area is becoming a year-round recreation haven. Como Trails Club grooms approximately 30 miles of cross-country ski trails on the south side of Como. The trails are groomed for skate and classic skiing and offer a variety of terrain and difficulty levels.

22. SNOWMOBILING â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SKALKAHO, CHIEF JOSEPH PASS With some of the most scenic groomed trails in Montana, the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains of the Bitterroot Valley offer the perfect destination for snowmobilers. Many species of wildlife can be seen such as elk, mule deer, white tailed deer, moose, coyotes and bald eagles. The Skalkaho/Rye Snowmobile Trail offers spectacular scenery and over 50 miles of groomed trails. For more information, go to http://www.bitterrootadventures.com.

23. LOST TRAIL POWDER MOUNTAIN EVENTS, SULA, FEB 18 AND MAR 24, 2012 The Lost Trail Steakfry, a tradition at Lost Trail Powder Mountain for 26 years, offers a number of events throughout the day, including skiing, steak-eating and music, and a torchlight parade performed by the ski patrol. Skiesta is another annual event at Lost Trail near the end of the ski season. Competitions include a Pond Skim, Big Air and Retro Day with live music by Miller Creek, a Roast Pig Dinner, tons of local beer and great prizes. A barbeque and live music tops off a great day at the mountain. Costumes are optional, but highly recommended! These events are fun for the whole family! For more information and a schedule of events visit www.losttrail.com and the Skiesta Event page on Facebook.

24. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SNOWMOBILE HILLCLIMB RACE, SULA, MARCH 10-11, 2012 The 2012 David Shepherd Memorial Snowmobile Hillclimb will be held at Lost Trail Powder Mountain. Qualifying races will be held on Saturday and the finals on Sunday. Racing starts at 9:00 am. There is a $5 admission at the gate and all proceeds benefit area youth organizations. Come watch the top racers in the world.

We have the recipe for fun. It is man, mountain and the machine. Add lots of snow, steep and deep. Pour in some high octane race gas and pure adrenaline and you have the best racing winter has to offer. For more information, visit rmsha.com/index.php?option=com_ jpormsha&view=races&Itemid=97.

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EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF THE BITTERROOT

Historically, the Bitterroot Valley was the home of the Salish tribe of the Flathead nation. The Lewis and Clark Expedition crossed Lost Trail Pass from present-day Idaho in order to connect with the overland route through the Rocky Mountains. The first white settlement in the Valley was the founding in 1841 of St. Mary’s Mission, in present-day Stevensville.

Fort Owen was established nearby in 1850,

and there were difficulties between the white settlers and the Salish until 1891, when the native tribes were relocated to the north.

Settlement has continued since that time. A number of interesting museums and other structures throughout the valley tell the story of these early inhabitants. Visit a few of them to understand more about the history of the Bitterroot Valley.

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25. FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEWIS AND CLARK The Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery entered the Bitterroot Valley near (present day) Lost Trail Pass, at the western Montana border, on September 4, 1805. In the Sula basin, they found a Salish Indian camp which was aware of their approach. Though the Indians were short of food, they shared what they had and treated their guests with hospitality, trading fresh horses to the Corps, who needed them to continue their journey. On September 6, 1805, the Expedition went around Sula Peak and followed the east side of the river. On September 8, the party passed Skalkaho Creek and moved through Hamilton and Corvallis. They crossed Gird Creek by where the Daly Mansion stands today, and continued north down the east side of the river, near the present day Eastside Highway. On September 9, 1805, they probably traveled right down Stevensville Main Street, had it been there!

They crossed the Bitterroot River somewhere

north of Florence and proceeded to Travelers’ Rest of the south bank of Lolo Creek, where they rested and prepared for their journey on to the Pacific Ocean.

On their return, Lewis & Clark separated at Travelers’ Rest. On July 3, 1806, Lewis and a small group went north to explore the shorter route their guide had pointed out. Clark headed south on the west side of the Bitterroot River with Sacajawea, her baby, 20 men and 50 horses. The river was too swollen to cross, so the journey continued on the west side, which required crossing many treacherous creeks. On July 5, they found five small islands that offered safe passage around the West Fork. They continued toward the Sula basin, site of the previous year’s Salish meeting, and camped south of the where the Sula Ranger Station was later located. On July 6, they crossed the Continental Divide and moved to the Big Hole over (present day) Gibbon’s Pass.

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26. VISIT HISTORIC ST. MARY’S MISSION, “WHERE MONTANA BEGAN” Historic St. Mary’s Mission was established in 1841, 48 years before Montana attained statehood, by Father Pierre DeSmet, at the request of Indian Tribes who were seeking “Blackrobes”. St. Mary’s was the first church in the Pacific Northwest. A photo gallery in Chief Victor’s Cabin represents the 19th century when the Indian and European cultures merged.

Tour the Chapel and Father Anthony Ravalli’s cabin/pharmacy which are furnished with items handmade by Father Ravalli, Montana’s first medical doctor. The Salish Encampment represents the Bitterroot Salish homeland, while St. Mary’s represents the first pioneer settlement in Montana. Walk through history. Experience this fascinating, controversial, and important chapter of our nation’s past. For more information, call (406) 777-5734, or visit: www. saintmarysmission.org.

27. FOUNDERS DAY – STEVENSVILLE SEPTEMBER 24th, 2011 A gala re-enactment of the founding of Montana’s oldest permanent community, Stevensville, will be celebrated on the grounds of Historic St. Mary’s Mission. The 170th anniversary re-enactment will feature several who were there on that historic day: Fathers DeSmet and Point; Thomas Fitzpatrick, the mountain man who guided the party from St. Louis, Missouri, to Stevensville; and representatives of the Salish Nation who initiated the effort to bring the Black Robes to the West; and the Jesuit Brothers who did the hard physical labor of building the Historic. Refreshments, coffee and conversation will be in order and tours of the Mission will be available. For more information, call (406) 777-5734.

28. VISIT FORT OWEN STATE PARK Father Pierre DeSmet came to the area in 1841 and established St. Mary’s Mission among the Flathead Indians. In 1850, Major John Owen established the fort as a regional trade center. Period furnishings and artifacts

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 25

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Farm Tour .........................Sept. 24, 10 am – 4 pm Take a self-guided tour of guestEastside Highway ready agriculture operations Arboretum Tours ..............Sept. 24, 10am – 4pm Visit the largest variety of trees in Montana with Master Arborist, Daly Mansion Sylvia McNeill

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&HOHEUDWLQJ WKH %RXQW\ RI WKH %LWWHUURRW are displayed in the restored rooms of the east barracks. Fort Owen is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built of adobe and logs, Fort Owen, near Stevensville is the site of the first permanent white settlement in Montana. For more information, go to: fwp. mt.gov/parks/visit.

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26 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

29. LEARN ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT OF THE BITTERROOT AT THE STEVENSVILLE MUSEUM The Stevensville Museum features the early growth and development of the Bitterroot Valley with displays of artifacts, pictures and information panels regarding the history of the American Indian population (the Salish Indians), the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition through the valley in 1805-1806, the arrival of Father DeSmet in 1841, the establishment of the earliest mission in what is now Montana, the development of Fort Owen as one of the earliest trading posts and the history of Stevensville itself. Displays of an early kitchen, wash-room, parlor and school are furnished with authentic items. The museum is located at 517 Main St, Stevensville. For more information, call (406) 777-1007, or go http://www. mainstreetstevensville.com.

operated by volunteers to preserve the rich heritage of the area. Fascinating displays illustrate many relics and remnants of the past, including railroad memorabilia, mining information Native American exhibits, schools, churches, business, ranching, natural resources and everyday life. The museum is located in downtown Victor.

For more information, call (406) 642-3997, go to http://www.victormt.com/victor_heritage_museum/vhm_history.html.

30. VICTOR HERITAGE MUSEUM PRESERVES AN OLD RAILROAD DEPOT The Victor Heritage Museum is housed in the old Victor Depot Building in Victor. The museum is

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31. EXPERIENCE LOCAL HISTORY, UNIQUE ART, AND THE WONDERS OF NATURAL HISTORY The Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton was designed and built by A.J. Gibson in 1900. The The building served as the Ravalli County Courtwill actually be house until 1979. It now houses an important northwest regional museum. Current exhibits (GGLH 2OZHOO /LFHQVHG 0RQWDQD 2XWĂ&#x20AC; WWHU from the permanent collection include: the /,&(16( )ORDW :DGH 7ULSV Natural History Room, Military Room, Bertie Lord )O\ &DVWLQJ ,QVWUXFWLRQ Photography Exhibit, as well as a Walk through 6WHYHQVYLOOH 0RQWDQD the Bitterroot and the Lewis and Clark Discov ery Room. The Museum is home to the National www.FishsEddyO.com Senior Rodeo Hall of Fame and houses extensive archives including over 36,000 Ernst Peter son negatives and prints. Local rotating exhibits include: local and traditional art. Traveling temporary exhibits may also be on display. The museum is located at 205 Bedford Street in Hamilton. For more information, call (406) 3633338, or go to www.brvhsmuseum.org.

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boarded up until 1987, when it was opened to the public and has now been completely restored. The Daly Mansion, a National Historic Site, has over 56 stunning rooms, with 25 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, and seven fireplaces. The three-story, 24,000-square-foot mansion is situated on 50 tree-planted acres near Hamilton which feature a variety of trees, a tennis court, swimming pool, greenhouse and laundry building. Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for children; children under six are admitted free.

For more information, call (406) 363-6004 go http://dalymansion.org.

33. TOUR HISTORIC ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH In 1895, the city of Hamilton emerged when Marcus Daly, a Butte “Copper King”, chose the area for his residence. When Daly promised land for church construction, his lawyer Charles Crutchfield and wife Lena, stepped up.

From their efforts emerged the “English Gothic” structure, much as we see it today. Daly’s wife Margaret, a devout Episcopalian, was another

patroness of the church. The ceiling of the church is a model of an inverted Noah’s Ark. In 1997, six beautiful stained glass windows were commissioned to celebrate the church’s centennial. Services are held each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Tours are available following services or may be scheduled by calling (406) 363-3025.

For more information, go to www.bitterrootepiscopal.org.

34. STUDY THE PIONEERS AT THE DARBY PIONEER MEMORIAL MUSEUM This museum is a depository for the extensive collection of both home and business artifacts saved by the many pioneer families in the area.

You will find handwritten documents and letters, official papers and deeds of purchase, as well as church and school documents that take you through a time in history when meticulous paper work was considered de rigueur.

And so it stands today, it entices visitors with curios and tales of the early days. A photo of the cabin at its original site is on display at the museum, along with a large number of local

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early day photographs and memorabilia. The museum is located on Main Street in Darby.

For more information, call (406) 821-3753, or go to http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo. asp?IDRRecordID=3130&siteid=1.

35. DROP BY THE DARBY HISTORICAL VISITOR CENTER The Darby Historical Visitor Center is adjacent to the Darby Ranger Station. Between 1965 and 1990 this building was used by the Bitterroot Hot Shot Fire Crew. In 1991, it was converted into the Historical Visitors Center. The building is accessible for those with disabilities. The Darby Historical Visitor Center is part of the National Forest Service Museum and sells T-shirts, Forest Service maps, firewood permits, and Christmas tree permits in season. Information brochures, recreation opportunities, weather/road reports are available at the Center. Historic Forest Service items are on display in the building, and picnic tables are located outside. The center is located at 712 North Main, in Darby. For more information, call (406) 821-3913, or go to http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=6916&siteid=1.

36. VISIT HISTORIC FOREST RANGER STATIONS OR â&#x20AC;&#x153;CAMPâ&#x20AC;? AT A RUSTIC GUARD STATION The first ranger station, a log cabin at Alta on the Bitter Root Forest Reserve, was built in 1899. This historic ranger station gives visitors a good feel for the rigors and hardships faced by the earliest rangers. Now preserved as a Montana Historic Landmark, the Magruder Ranger Station, built in 1923, is a two-story, five-room log house located on Magruder Road #468, 52 miles southwest of Darby. For more information, go to http://www. fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/heritage/buildings/historic_ buildings.htm. The Bitterroot National Forest offers a unique recreational experience at one of the many rental lookouts and cabins. Three rental lookouts provide stunning views of the surrounding Sapphire, Bitterroot, and Anaconda Pintler mountain ranges. Six rustic cabins offer a serene and relaxing getaway. For more information on how to rent one of the lookouts or cabins, call 406-363-7100, or visit the Bitterroot National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 31

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ENJOY OUR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Residents of the Bitterroot Valley find much to celebrate; it is sometimes referred to as the Valley of Festivals. Bring your family; let us celebrate together. One of the most unique things about the Bitterroot is the friendliness of the people. They will welcome you.

37. MONTANA STATE MOUNTED SHOOT, DARBY, JUNE 3-5 2011 The 12th Annual Montana State Mounted Shoot will be held June 4-5 in Darby. It is spon-

sored by the Montana Mounted Shooters and Townsend Ranch. Cowboy Mounted Shooting is one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest growing equestrian sports in America today. Mounted contestants compete in this fast action timed event using two .45 caliber single action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition. Contestants must follow a pre-determined course and shoot at balloon targets. Spectators enjoy this free event of raw horse power, hard riding and straight shoot)RU LQIR VKRZ GDWHV

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ing. This event is located at 3278 Standing Bear Road, in Darby. For more information, call (406) 821-3749, or go to http://www.townsendranch. com/mounted%20shooting.htm.

38. MONTANA MULE DAYS, HAMILTON, JUNE 10- 12, 2011 This is Montanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest mule and donkey show with 188 mule and donkey entries in 2010, and over 100 classes including log pulling, driving classes, western pleasure, trail classes, team penning, costume class, plus many more. Competition and visitors come from up to six different states. Saturday afternoon a performance by the Mulettes, men dressed as women on mules, will make you chuckle, but the mules are the real stars of the weekend. Cattle events and driving classes are open to the public.

Camping is available on the grounds, commercial booths and food are available. There is a covered grandstand and family entertainment.

Event takes place at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds Arena. For more information, call (406)

777-2331, or go to http://www.montanamuledays.com/.

39. BIG SKY FIBER ARTS FESTIVAL, HAMILTON, JUNE 10-12, 2011 The Big Sky Fiber Arts Festival offers fiber arts demonstrations, fiber arts courses, and judged animal and fleece shows. Workshops will be taught by regionally known fiber artists and producers, and include such courses as: felting, knitting and crocheting; spinning, weaving and fiber dyeing techniques; and wool marketing

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and production. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see handmade wearable and decorative art, and marvel at the extraordinary range of items that can be created using natural materials and a little imagination.

Entries include items constructed of handmade fabrics, woven, knitted, crocheted, felted or any other technique which forms a stable fabric or pieced works, such as quilts or other projects constructed of textiles. The event is held on odd years at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. For more information, call (406) 529-6194 or go to www.bigskyfiber.com .

40. WESTERN HERITAGE DAYS, STEVENSVILLE, JUNE 17-18, 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Saddle Upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the Western Heritage Parade that will be the kick off to Western Heritage Day. Come see the demonstrations and sidewalk attractions & sales from our stores, historic home tours via team and wagon rides, barn yard games, parade, Chuck Wagon Cook-Off, Arts and Crafts show, St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission tours, Downtown Saturday Night with music, beer

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garden and lots of food. Western Heritage Days is located in downtown Stevensville, St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission and Stevensville Museum. For more information, call (406) 777-3773, or go to http:// www.mainstreetstevensville.com.

41. DARBY BITTERROOT DESCENDANTS REUNION, JUNE 17-20, 2011 The Darby Bitterroot Descendants Reunion is a history and ancestry gathering event to provide descendants of Darby pioneer families an opportunity tell and trade stories, review standing exhibits, hear lectures and listen to storytelling. Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Activities and games are planned to keep the younger participants entertained, educated and active. Friday evening includes a BBQ, and a jam of musicians to keep toes a tapping and feet a dancing. An all-day field trip with historians up the East & West Forks is being planned on Monday, June 20, including a short trip up Lick Creek to the historic old logging camp of yore. For more information, call (406) 821-3444 or email helenann13@hughes.net.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 35

42. 31st ANNUAL BITTERROOT DAY, HAMILTON, JUNE 18, 2011, 9 AM-1 PM This is a celebration of Montana’s state flower, the Bitterroot. This street festival includes arts, crafts, food & produce from local vendors as well as live music with Cabin Fever. Breathe in the fresh spring air, get yourself some food and enjoy a day outdoors with your neighbors and friends. The event is held at Ravalli County Museum, located at 205 Bedford Street in Hamilton. For more information, call (406) 363-3338, or go to: http://www.brvhsmuseum.org.

43. BITTERROOT QUILTERS GUILD SHOW, “A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY”, HAMILTON, JUNE 2526, 2011 SOUTH VALLEY QUILT SHOW AND CRAFT FAIR, DARBY, AUGUST 13-14, 2011 The Bitterroot Quilt Show will be “A Sentimental Journey” for many local residents. Jeannie Doyle is the featured artist. Included activities will be a quilt raffle, a silent auction with a special section of interest to men, door prizes,

viewer’s choice, with quilt appraisals and professional judging of the merits of some of the quilted entries. The show will be held at the Ravalli County Fair Grounds in the 1st Interstate Building. For more information, call (406) 3636263, or visit www.bitterrrootquiltersguild.com.

The first South Valley Quilt Show, “In the Good Old Summertime” will feature South Valley Quilters and crafts made by South Valley artisans. Attendees will be able to participate in a People’s Choice Voting, and ribbons will be awarded. The event is being held at the Darby High School Cafeteria. For more information or to register for the show, go to www.pinnaclesewing.com, or call at (406) 203-4398, karen@ pinnaclesewing.com.

44. SENIOR PRO RODEO HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY, BBQ & STREET DANCE, JUNE 30, 2011 See a part of history in the making at the special induction ceremony, enjoy mouthwatering BBQ and your favorite beverage, then kick up

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your heels at one of the biggest events of the year! The evening’s entertainment includes a branding party, silent auction, live Western music and much, much more. The event is held at Ravalli County Museum, located at 205 Bedford Street in Hamilton. For more information, call (406) 363-3338, or go to: http://www. brvhsmuseum.org.

45. BITTERROOT GLORY DAYS, HAMILTON, JULY 1-2, 2011 This two day event at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds has something for everyone! Fun contests for all ages and interests, fabulous food and shopping vendors, pony rides, petting zoo, rodeo in the evenings, activities throughout the day. An equestrian parade through downtown Hamilton on Friday will kick off the weekend and fireworks will light up the sky on July 4th to finish off this community celebration of Independence Day. Family fun contests include Best Bitterroot Beard & Moustache, Fabulous Fair-Do’s, Watermelon Eating, Patriotic Cakes, Patriotic Posters, Best Dressed Buggy, Best Dressed Bicycle, Best Dressed Horse, Best Western Hat and many more. Cash prizes awarded. This event takes place at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. For more information, call (406) 363-3411, or go to www.ravallicountyfairgrounds.org,

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 37

46. SENIOR PRO RODEO, HAMILTON, JULY 1-2, 2011 Competitors in this event are over 40 years of age, but still love to compete in the age-old sport of rodeo. The high level of competition makes it enjoyable and exciting to rodeo fans and contestants alike. The Bitterroot welcomes cowboys from across the country and several other countries to this classic event. They may be seniors, but they don’t need rockin’ chairs.

The event includes bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, calf roping, ribbon roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping and steer wrestling. Watch the Ladies Breakaway, which is a new event for Nation Senior Pro Rodeo Association. Event takes place at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds Arena. For more information, call (406) 363-3411 or go to www.seniorrodeo.com.

47. SUMMER FEST, BANDS, BALLOONS & BBQ, STEVENSVILLE, JULY 8-9, 2011 Enjoy the music of local bands, the flavor of local beer and the whimsy of flight as 10 or more hot-air balloonists from around the west converge on the Bitterroot Valley for this unique and free event. There will also be skydivers, horse shoe tournaments, and a BBQ rib cook off. In the evenings, the crowd will enjoy a Balloon Glow when pilots of the tethered balloons ignite their burners simultaneously, causing the colorful balloons to glow against the black skies.

Balloon flights and tethered balloon rides will be available throughout the festival. All balloon events are weather permitting. The event location is the St. Mary’s Pavilion, two blocks south of Main Street in Stevensville. For more information, call (406) 777-0680, or go to http://blacksmithbrewing.com/summer-fest.

48. ELITE BULL CONNECTION, DARBY, 4:30 PM, JULY 9, 2011 Hang on to your seat as professional bull riders handle two thousand pounds of meanness and muscle, with one hand tightly fastened to the bull with a long braided rope, while trying to stay mounted for at least eight seconds.

38 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

The ride has been called “the most dangerous eight seconds in sports.” Voted the best elite bull riding event of 2010, nationwide, it features Elite Professional Bull Riders and top bucking bulls from Priest Creek, Hofer and Hale Bucking Bulls. Food, beer, bands and rodeo make this an exciting day. ‘Rockin’ in the Root’, a full day of Montana music, with several Montana bands including Northern Lights, Mad Anthony, and Mae’d with a Kiss will be part of the Elite Bull Riding competition. The event takes place at the Richard Cromwell Rodeo Grounds. For more information, go to www.southvalleyevents.com.

49. DARBY LOGGER DAYS, DARBY, 5:00 PM, JULY 15-16, 2011 In mid-July, Darby comes alive with a timber sports event! That’s when Logger Days celebrates the skill and bravery of those who work in the time honored tradition of logging. The laid back atmosphere of this fun and family oriented weekend draws thousands of onlookers and expert competitors. Logger Days features axe

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50. STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, DARBY, 9 AM, JULY 16, 2011 Strawberries are the first crop ready for harvest in most temperate regions. When they are ready to be picked, it is a signal that scarcity is about to give way to abundance, and that is cause for celebration! The Strawberry Festival in downtown Darby is an old-fashioned ice cream social with music by local musicians. You will enjoy angel food cake with lots of luscious strawberries and home-made ice cream. A raffle includes unique items like a handmade quilt, a deacon’s bench, gift certificates, and a handmade elk horn knife. This event is located at Darby City Park, 500 N Main, in Darby. For more information, call (406) 381-5114.

51. DALY DAYS, HAMILTON, July 22-23, 2011 Downtown Hamilton and the Daly Mansion celebrate Daly Days in honor of Hamilton’s heritage.

Step back in time to life as it was at the turn of the last century re-created at the Daly Mansion. Saturday’s festivities include re-enactors in the house and on the grounds, demonstrations, antique farm equipment and cars, music, pony

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 39

rides for the children, Daly family home movies, tours, and more. Downtown Hamilton will be bustling with activities and events, including a street dance on Friday night. On Saturday, there will be sidewalk sales, a vintage car show, vendors, food, music, Kiss The Pig Contest, and Dutch Oven Cook Off. For more information, go to: http://www.bitterrootvalleychamber. com/#_blank.

40 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

marker. For more information, call (406) 8213777 or go to http://www.hardtimesbluegrass. com/home_page.

52. 7TH ANNUAL BITTERROOT BREWFEST, HAMILTON, JULY 23, 2011 3-10 PM The Bitterroot Brewfest is a tasting event that offers over 30 microbrews and select wines from Montana and the Northwest, as well as food, fun and live music. The cost is $20.00 for three tastes and a commemorative glass.

Live music this year will include opening band, Joan Zen from 4-6pm, and headliner band, Keegan Smith and the Fam which will play from 7-10 p.m. Held in conjunction with Daly Days, this signature event will be one you’ll want to put on your calendar! Come for great beer, entertainment and fun! For more information, call (406) 363-2400, www.bvchamber. com, or email bitterrootbrewfest@gmail.com.

53. HARD TIMES BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, DARBY, JULY 22-24, 2011 This is an affordable, family-friendly gathering geared towards having good clean fun while celebrating the joys and sounds of traditional bluegrass music. The event will showcase the bluegrass and gospel musicians of 12 bands from all over the northwest. The event is action packed and offers hours and hours of music. Held on a ranch south of Hamilton, it offers country fresh air and beautiful views of the Bitterroot Mountain, providing visitors with a winning combination of outdoor beauty, friends and music. Bring your lawn chairs, and campers are welcome. The festival location is 10 miles south of Hamilton on U.S. Highway 93. Turn west on Forest Hill Road at the 37 mile

54. THE RENAISSANCE FAIRE, HAMILTON, JULY 30-31, 2011 The Hamilton Players’ Renaissance Faire is an epic re-imagining of an historical Renaissance market place. There will be costumed vendors, specialty handcrafts, traditional food, demonstrations, hourly performances, and games, along with lords, ladies, wenches, pirates, and even fairies! Enjoy the Pirate’s Booty Beer and Wine Garden, and plenty of fun games and activities for families. This event is truly unique.

Costumed participation is encouraged, and costume rental and consultation is available at the Hamilton Playhouse by appointment the week of July 25. The event is located at Claudia Driscoll Park, Hamilton. For more information, call (406) 375.9050, or go to: www.hamiltonplayers.com, Tues.-Fri., 1pm-5 pm.

55. CREAMERY PICNIC, STEVENSVILLE, AUGUST 5-6, 2011 The Creamery Picnic is a family oriented celebration featuring homemade ice cream, games, music and delicious food. In 1907,

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56. RIVERFEST, HAMILTON, AUGUST 13. 2011 Bring the whole family to Riverfest for a day filled with fun, presented by the Bitter Root Water Forum. There will be many fun family activities, including live animal presentations! Enjoy live music, food from local vendors or have a beer while you enjoy the breathtaking views of the beautiful Bitterroot River at River Park.

There is no charge for this event. The Bitterroot Watershed is complex and diverse; spanning more than 2,800 square miles. The Bitterroot River flows for 124 “floatable” miles and has more tributaries entering its main stem per river mile than any other major river in Montana! For more information about the BRWF, go to www. brwaterforum.org.

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57. SCOTTISH IRISH FESTIVAL, HAMILTON, AUGUST 25-28, 2011 Ce’ad Mil, (a hundred thousand welcomes!) If you happen to find yourself in Hamilton, Montana in late August, you might be amazed by what you see there. There will be traditional Scottish and Celtic music, with modern bagpipes playing, some spirited highland dancing and an Irish fling or two, vigorous Highland competitions, delicious and authentic Scottish and Irish foods, historic and cultural demonstrations of note, and perhaps a Gathering of the Clans The activity takes place at the Daly Mansion in Hamilton, which is co-hosting the event.

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local dairymen formed a cooperative creamery which produced ‘Gold Bar’ butter and ice cream as some of the state’s outstanding dairy products. When fire gutted the creamery in 1911, the manager told the community that if they could rebuild the business in 30 days, he would host the biggest celebration the town had ever seen. They did and the Creamery Picnic was born. There were public speakers and a free lunch, which included ‘Gold Bar’ ice cream and butter and all of the buttermilk the participants could hold. Since then, the annual Stevensville Creamery Picnic remains a part of the community. For more information, call (406) 777-3773 go to: http://creamerypicnic.com.

42 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

After all, Hamilton is Scottish and Daly was Irish,

so what could be more appropriate? For more information, call (406) 363-6004 or go to http:// www.bitterrootscottishirishfestival.org.

58. RAVALLI COUNTY FAIR, HAMILTON, AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 The Ravalli County Fair has been a cherished local event since its beginnings in 1893. Voted Best Event of the Year in 2010, it is well known

and loved for its family atmosphere and its historical ties to the agricultural landscape of the Bitterroot Valley. Exhibit halls feature the best of the Bitterroot’s bounty as locals compete to earn top honors for livestock, flowers, home arts, photography and more. Western hospitality abounds at the fair – don’t miss the pie auction, the food court featuring local charity groups or the free stage with local music.

Additional entertainment for 2011 includes Northstar Carnival, Kids Pedal Tractor Pulling, Pippi the Clown, Michael Mesmer Hypnotist, NASCAR Remote Control Racing & Free Sports Zone, and the granddaddy of them all, rodeo every evening! Over 100 vendors will be selling their wares throughout the lawn and commercial buildings. Parking for the event is free; as is a ride in the Pioneer Carriage from the north parking lot into the heart of the fair. This year’s fair theme is “Rodeo Ropes & Ribbon Hopes”.

Everyone loves the fair - hope to see you there!

For more information, call (406) 363-3411, or go to www.ravalicontyfairgrounds.org.

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59. MCINTOSH APPLE DAY, HAMILTON, OCTOBER 1, 2011 Hailed as the Biggest Bake Sale Under the Big Sky, the Annual McIntosh Apple Day Festival has apple butter bubbling over an open fire, apple juice being squeezed, kids games galore, and live music all day. Enjoy arts, crafts, food & produce from the Hamilton Farmers Market plus vendors all over the state as well as the signature bake sale of made-fromscratch apple pies, buffalo chili, caramel apples and apple butter. Purchase raffle tickets fo a chance to win from over 100 raffle items.

For more information, call (406) 363-3338 go to: http://www.brvhsmuseum.org.

60. SCARECROW FESTIVAL, STEVENSVILLE, OCTOBER 7, 2011 Stevensvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Scarecrow Festival is a popular outdoor event held on First Friday and Saturday in October. The public votes for their favorite scarecrow and cash prizes are awarded. A juried panel awards two artistic Merit

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prizes. Other Main Street First Friday activities include a pumpkin carving contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, Oktoberfest accordion music, Main Street Open Houses offering refreshments and fun. For more information, call (406) 7773773 go to: www.mainstreetstevensville.com.

44 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

61. CHRISTMAS IN HAMILTON CELEBRATION, DEC 2, 2011 Join us in Hamilton to celebrate the Christmas season with a beautiful Parade of Lights on Friday night ending with the traditional Lighting of the Tree on Main Street in front of the Post Office. You can listen to beautiful Christmas music sung by the Montana A Cappella Society, be charmed by lovely ballerinas from Bitterroot Ballet, shop in unique stores offering

wonderful presents to put under your Christmas tree, and warm up next to the cheery burning barrels. Santa Claus will be there to bend an ear and pose for photographs. The event will be held throughout Hamilton. For more information, call the Bitterroot Valley Chamber at (406) 363-2400, or go to www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com 62. A MONTANA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS, STEVENSVILLE, DEC 2-3, 2011 This Christmas Gift Fair is a great opportunity to shop for Made in Montana Christmas Gifts.

It provides lots of local activities from arts and crafts to dining. Nativity sets will be displayed at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission. First Friday festivities include wagon rides, hot roasted peanuts, Parade of Lights, Christmas Story, Live Nativity, and Santa at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Family Center.

The event will be located in various areas in Stevensville. For more information, call (406) 777-3773, or go to www.mainstreetstevensville. com.

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63. WINTERFEST, DARBY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012 Winterfest offers a good time for the entire family. This will be Darby’s third annual Winterfest. Featured events will include: a mutt pull; ice skating; a broomball tournament, which is similar to hockey but played with brooms and a ball; potluck; burn barrels; live music and storytelling. There are activities for folks of all ages and dogs of all sizes. Plans for the upcoming event include a horse parade, snowshoe clinic, snowshoe baseball, sleigh/ hay rides, 3-legged race on ice, tug-of-war on ice, skijoring race and fireworks. This is a free, family-friendly event. Events are held at the Darby Ice Skating Rink, the Richard Cromwell Memorial Rodeo Grounds and Able Mini Storage in Darby.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 45

is a showcase of over 150 very unique works of art by quilt artists from the Northwest region of the US. They are shown in a gallery-type setting with many items available for purchase.

Hours for the show are 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 11-12. Admission is $3.00.

The show will be held at the Hamilton City Hall, Bedford Ave. and South Second St., Hamilton.

For more information call In Good Company at (406) 363-4064 or Sue Anne Iman at (406) 360-0658.

64. “AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART” ART QUILT SHOW AND SALE, HAMILTON, FEBRUARY 1012.2012 Good Company presents their 5th Annual “An Affair of the heArt” Art Quilt Show and Sale. This

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VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT The exceptional beauty of the valley entices artists of many genres to make their home here. The Bitterroot is filled with skilled artisans creating beautiful, unique and often functional works, from ornate pottery to luxurious textiles to paintings that reflect the beauty of our surroundings. In addition to the many visual artists who live here, the cultural appetite of

the Bitterroot is also fed by excellent amateur theater productions, a superb performing artists series, an outdoor venue presenting musical talent, an excellent choral group, a and a great many smaller musical groups and dance studios who entertain us frequently. Seek out the arts on your travels; it will enrich your experience.

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65. ARTISTS ALONG THE BITTERROOT OPEN STUDIO TOUR, VARIOUS LOCATIONS, JUNE 3-5, 2011 Over two dozen artists and gallery affiliates are participating in the third annual Artists Along the Bitterroot Open Studio Tour. Studios include fused glass artistry, leatherworking, painting, sculpting, woodworking, fine art jewelry, silk painting, pottery, and photography.

An opening night reception on June 4th will be hosted by River’s Mist Gallery in Stevensville. Studios will be open Sat. & Sun. June 4th & 5th from 10:30 am-6 pm. All events are free.

Follow the green signs along the highway.

Maps are available at River’s Mist Gallery in Stevensville and the Frame Shop & Gallery in Hamilton, or on line at www.artistsalongthebitterroot.com. For more information, call (406) 777-2954.

66. MONTANA PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS ASSOCIATION SHOW AND SALE, HAMILTON, JUNE 10-12, 2011 The MPAA’s 7th annual fine art show and sale,

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 47

held at the Bitterroot River Inn & Conference Center in Hamilton, features noted artists from all corners of Montana showing oil paintings, watercolors, pastels and classic bronzes. Join the artists Friday night at 6 pm for a reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a full no-host bar. On Saturday there will be a QuickDraw at 1pm and Sunday from 10am on, see painting and sculpture demonstrations and plein air painting around the pond and by the Bitterroot River as the show continues. Admission

48 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

is free. For more information, call (406) 961-3887 go to www.montanaprofessionalartists.com or email info@montanaprofessioanlartistsassoc.com.

67. ART IN THE PARK, HAMILTON, JULY 23-24, 2011 The Bitterroot Arts Guild sponsors this fine arts and quality crafts show, which features artists from throughout the state. Talent abounds and both the unusual as well as the usual craft items are offered. If you are looking for something beautiful, come to Art in the Park for a day of entertainment, playground, shopping, arts and crafts, farmers market, food and drink, western art, wildlife art, music, native art, photography, sculpture. For more information, call (406) 8214678.

68. KATHLEEN SHEARD, WILDLIFE GLASS ARTIST, OPENING RECEPTION, JULY 16, 2011 This one woman show, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Passion, The Perseverance, Equals the Processâ&#x20AC;?, can be seen at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton from

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July 16 through October 15, 2011. Kathleen Sheard combines her interest in wild animals and her passion for glass to create incredible works of art. Multiple layers of small pieces of glass and multiple firings create vivid pictures that seem more like a painting than mosaic.

You will have the opportunity to meet the artist at the opening reception. The exhibit runs through October 8, 2011. The museum is located at 205 Bedford Street in Hamilton. For more information, call (406) 363-3338, go to www. brvhsmuseum.org or www.kathleensheard.com.

69. VISIT ONE OF THE VALLEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MANY ART GALLERIES Galleries in the valley represent superb artists who have made the Bitterroot their home.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find paintings, sculpture, jewelry, prints, ceramics, hand-crafted furniture and more.

Every piece at Art Focus Gallery in Hamilton is beautiful and unique and created by Montana artists. The art gallery at the Frame Shop & Gallery in Hamilton offers local artists a

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spacious and tasteful space for exhibitions of original art. The Ponderosa Art Gallery south of Hamilton has a unique variety of original paintings, sculptures, and woodcarvings. Young artists get their turn in the spotlight at Stevensville’s River’s Mist Gallery of Fine Art. Ravalli Specialty Creations is a consignment gallery in Hamilton that offers local artisans an attractive and affordable place to show and sell their work. For addresses and phone numbers, please check the telephone directory.

70. ENJOY A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES The Bitterroot Performing Arts Council is a nonprofit organization presenting the Bitterroot Performing Arts Series annually, from October through April, as well as additional stand-alone events and educational outreach experiences for local students and the adult community.

The BPAC presents a wide array of nationally and internationally recognized professional performing artists across all arts disciplines, including a variety of music genres, dance, and theater. Tickets to the series may be purchased individually or as a season subscription. For more information, call (406) 363.7946 or go to www.bitterrootperformingarts.org.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 49

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ue is an outdoor amphitheater, with a covered stage and optional covering for the audience.

There is seating for 100 people with additional seating around the venue. Fire pits and propane heaters are available in the event the weather is rainy or cool. Bring a picnic basket and your beverage of choice. The management will have a wine bar and catered food may be available.

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72. ATTEND A MONTANA A CAPPELLA SOCIETY CONCERT The Montana A Cappella Society is a remarkable vocal ensemble from the Bitterroot Valley which has received wide audience acclaim. The Society performs regionally, promoting awareness and appreciation of the art of a cappella. Under the direction of Artistic Director Don Matlock, these non-professional singers create their own unique blend and signature sound. The director encourages the group to sing with “one voice” and to tell a story with the music. Typical selections range from Renaissance madrigals to vocal jazz, classic love songs, patriotic, folk tunes and toe-tapping gospel. Be sure to enjoy the A Cappella Society’s annual concerts in May and December. For more information about the Society and a listing of public performance as well as available CDs, go to http:// www.montanaacappella.org.

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73. ENJOY A THEATRICAL PRODUCTION AT THE HAMILTON PLAYHOUSE The Hamilton Players has provided live, quality theater for over thirty years, building a large supportive audience. Many community members are inspired to take the stage and join the Hamilton Players family. The goal is to provide high-quality community theater to the Bitterroot Valley while fostering local talent and provide the opportunity for children to develop life-skills through their involvement in theater arts. To this end, they produce five primary productions each season, as well as three Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workshop productions and a host of on and off-site special events. The Hamilton Playhouse is located at 100 Ricketts Road in Hamilton. For more information call (406) 375-9050, Tues.-Fri., 1 pm-5 pm., or go to www.hamiltonplayers.com.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 53

of The Merchant of Venice. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been touring Montana and elsewhere since 1973, with performances of professional outdoor theater. An outreach program of Montana State University, this is the only completely professional touring theater program in the state that produces Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plays and the only company in the state that offers its performances free to the public. For more information, call (406) 375-9050, Tues.-Fri., 1 pm-5 pm., or go to www.hamiltonplayers.com.

74. MONTANA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS, HAMILTON, AUGUST 3, 2011 The Hamilton Players bring Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to the Bitterroot with a performance

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AGRICULTURE IN THE BITTERROOT Agritourism involves any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch. It includes a wide variety of activities, including buying produce direct from a farm stand, navigating a corn maze, picking fruit, feeding animals, or staying at a B&B on a farm. All of these activities are available in the

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Bitterroot Valley. Agritourists can choose from a wide range of activities that include picking fruits and vegetables , riding horses, tasting honey, learning about wine, beer or cheese making, or shopping in farm gift shops and farm stands for local produce or hand-crafted gifts.

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75. BITTERROOT FARMFEST AGRICULTURAL TOUR, FOOD FAIR & ARBORETUM TOUR, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011 This celebration of the agricultural heritage of the Bitterroot Valley is collaboration between the Bitterroot Valley Chamber, the Ravalli County Fairgrounds, and the Daly Mansion. The Food & Farm Fair at the First Interstate Center will focus on fresh foods, farm products and agricultural related businesses, giving guests an opportunity to sample the Best of The Bitterroot. You can sample and purchase the products of vendors, and see exhibits and presentations with tips on growing, harvesting, preparing, preserving & creating from our bountiful summer sun and fertile Montana soil. For more information, call (406) 363-3411. The Farm Tour, sponsored by the BV Chamber AgriTourism Committee, will feature interesting valley agricultural operations. For more information, call (406) 363-2400. The Margaret Daly Memorial Arboretum and Botanic Gardens will be giving guided tours of the beautiful grounds of the Daly Mansion. For more information, call the Fairgrounds at (406) 363-3411, the Chamber at (406) 363-2400, or the Daly Mansion at (406) 363-6004.

76. BITTERROOT FARMFEST EVENING EVENTS, SEPTEMBER 23-24, 2011 The Bitterroot Harvest Festival, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Friday, September 23 at the First Interstate Center.

Participants will have an opportunity to taste a wide variety of wines and sample delicious food prepared by vendors participating in the Food Fair. For more information or to make reservations, call (406) 363-2400. A Pasture to Plate Dinner, sponsored by the Daly Mansion Preservation Trust, will be held on Saturday, September 24th.

A gourmet dinner will be served featuring locally harvested food, paired with fine wines. The Fairgrounds is located 100 Old Corvallis Road, Hamilton. The Daly Mansion is located at 251 Eastside Hwy., Hamilton. For more information or to make reservations, the Chamber at (406) 363-2400, or call the Daly Mansion at (406) 363-6004.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 55

westernmontanaclinic.com

56 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

77. VISIT HULS DAIRY TO SEE AN ULTRA MODERN DAIRY IN OPERATION The Bitterroot used to be dotted with dozens of commercial dairies; today only six remain.

Huls Dairy is the largest, now milking 380 cows.

A family operation since 1908, Huls at one time sold milk to the Cheese Factory in Corvallis and the Creameries in Missoula and Hamilton.

None is in operation today so Huls milk is now sent to Bozeman to be processed. Huls’ state of the art operation has a carousel and anaerobic digester that produces energy for the dairy and the grid. The digester also produces mulch, called Afterburner Boost, which can be purchased at the dairy. For a tour and directions, call (406) 961-8887. For more information, go to www.hulsdairy.com.

bulls, calves and steers; and Lifeline Produce, which grows vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as caring for around 20 sheep and selling their lambs. Long revered by the Swiss as an excellent, dual-purpose breed, the Brown Swiss produce rich milk, which is used on the dairy to make cheese, as well as delicious beef, which is sold throughout Montana. The dairy also “recycles” many feeds by raising pigs which

78. SEEING LIFELINE FARM IS LIKE TAKING A VISIT TO SWITZERLAND Lifeline Farm is composed of Lifeline Dairy, with a herd of about 400 Brown Swiss cows,

working every day

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are then sold as pork cuts and in home style sausage. Lifeline’s cheeses are hand-crafted and delicious. Lifeline Farm Inc. is located at 2533 Pleasant View Dr., Victor. For a tour and directions, call (406) 642-3873 or go to http:// lifelinefarm.com.

79. TOUR A HISTORIC FEED MILL IN HAMILTON Lakeland Feed and Supply operates a feed mill that has been in Hamilton since the 1930’s.

Much of the milling equipment from that period is still in use. Using many local grains, the mill makes animal feeds of all kinds every day.

This is a fascinating look at how the feed for your horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, and many other animals is made. It is also a great opportunity for children to learn how traditional methods can be combined with the latest scientific knowledge to create leading-edge products. Visitors are welcome to schedule a tour of the mill at (406) 363-2334. Learn more at www.lakelandfeeds.com.

Jones-Korman Insurance Agency Representing

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 57

80. INTRODUCE YOUR FAMILY TO THE BEAUTIFUL ALPACA Alpacas are animals that produce a luxurious, warm, lightweight, hypoallergenic fiber.

Bitterroot Alpaca breeders use their alpaca fiber at their stores and summer farmers markets to showcase the many creative products produced with alpaca fiber. Learn about the newest, earth-friendly, sustainable, livestock industry in the Bitterroot Valley by visiting an Alpaca ranch such as Montana Suris in Corvallis, Rockin’ L Alpacas in Victor, or Split Mountain Alpacas, Pronk Avenue and Yumedono Alpacas in Stevensville. Your family will love these shy, inquisitive creatures that will capture your heart with their big brown eyes. For a tour and directions, please check the telephone directory.

81. VISIT AN EMU RANCH The Wild Rose Emu Ranch, one of only three in Montana, is home to approximately 120 emus.

usiness b m is r u o t r u o Does y ention? t t a e r o m d e e n Do you own a tourism related business?

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Join the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce and participate with the Chamber’s Tourism & Marketing Committee as they work to increase awareness of the tourism wonders of the Bitterroot Valley.

This committee works with a variety of marketing sources, from advertising opportunities to magazine articles; from an enhanced tourism website featuring your business, to Social Media to increase your sales sources; from reduced price advertising in 101 Things to Do in the Bitterroot Valley to sales leads.

Become a part of this effective marketing effort as a member of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.

105 East Main Street Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-6400 www.visitbitterroot.com

58 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

fresh vegetables, baked goods, Jams and jellies. You can also find locally grown bedding plants, herbs, flowers and farm grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, jewelry. Look for additional vendors as the growing season progresses including farmers who will be selling fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits. See Calendar of Events for starting times and locations.

83. BUY DIRECTLY FROM THE SOURCE AT A FARM STAND OR ORCHARD You can also shop at a local farm stand.

You’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables at Homestead Organics Farm Stand south of Hamilton (open Tuesdays and Thursdays), and Moeller’s

Emus are prehistoric birds originating about 80 million years ago in Australia. Some scientists speculate that the emu has remained essentially unchanged for as long as 80 million years. Emu ranching has taken agriculture to a new level, with this 95 percent usable bird, which provides a healthy red meat as well as remarkable oil for the skin; strong, supple leather; silky and bristly feathers; and 5 ½” dark green eggs. They have no wing muscles, so they cannot fly, but an emu can run 35-40 miles per hour for short distances. The ranch is located at 284 Rose Lane, Hamilton. For more information or for a tour, call 363-1710, or go to www.wildroseemu.com.

82. FILL YOUR BASKET AT A LOCAL FARMERS MARKET Darby, Florence, Hamilton and Stevensville each have a weekly Farmers’ Market in season. The produce is locally grown and very fresh. Each week a new assortment of local creations are piled high on tables and stands: the first peaches of the season, blueberries, cabbage, beets, zucchini, and peas,

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 59

Farm Stand south of Corvallis (open 7 days a week during the growing season). Call Homestead Organics (406) 363-6627 or Moeller’s (406) 961-3389, for hours and directions. For fresh cider, try Frost Top Orchard (with Macintosh, Spartan, Honey Crisp and more varieties) near Corvallis; call (406) 961-1509 for hours and directions. Mountain View Orchards, also near Corvallis, produces over 20 varieties of applies; call (406) 961-3434 for hours and directions. For more information, go to mcintoshcider@montana.com. You can visit the farm stands throughout the growing season; visit the orchards in September and October.

ment Station of Montana State University.

Each center addresses agricultural needs for its unique area of the state. Western Montana has a varied agricultural community, with small to mid-sized acreages which are conventionally and organically farmed. Research at the Western Agricultural Research Center involves irrigated agriculture and rangeland weeds. Program areas include Soil Science and Agronomy, and Biological Weed Control.

Western Ag Research Center is located at 580 Quast Lane, 3½ miles NE of Corvallis. For more information, call (406) 961-3025 or go to http://ag.montana.edu/warc.

84. MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY-WESTERN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER The Western Agricultural Research Center is located in the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana. It is one of seven research centers comprising the Department of Research Centers in the Montana Agricultural Experi-

85. VISIT A LOCAL MICRO-BREWERY IN HAMILTON OR STEVENSVILLE For years, Montana’s micro brewing community has been gaining steam and making a splash with great ales, lagers and pilsners.

Bitter Root Brewing in downtown Hamilton offers live music every Thursday and Saturday

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60 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Night. A wide range of handcrafted ales are offered, including Single Hop ale, IPA, Porter, Sawtooth, Nut Brown, Pale ale, seasonal and specialty brews. An old buggy salesroom and blacksmith shop transformed into a microbrewery, Blacksmith Brewing Company is located on Main Street in Stevensville and offers live music on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The Brewery offers five basic beers: Brickhouse Blonde, Twisted Paddle Pale Ale, Burnt Fork Amber, Cutthroat IPA, and Pulaski Porter. For more information, go to blacksmithbrewing.com, or www.bitterrootbrewing.com.

tana honey and berries to handcraft pure honey mead, dark mead, three berry meads, and spiced mead. For more information, go to www.hiddenlegendwinery.com. Trapper Peak Winery in Darby takes pride in producing

86. TOUR A MONTANA WINERY NEAR VICTOR OR DARBY A visit to Hidden Legend Winery in Victor is a tastefully rewarding experience. Wines are made from local ingredients gathered from the fields and mountain valleys surrounding Hamilton. The winery uses 100% local Mon-

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 61

Bitterroot for Kids affordable wines of impressive quality. Rising above the valley is Trapper Peak for which the winery is named. The beautiful Bitterroot Valley is blessed with plentiful fertility and mild weather, perfect for cellaring the wines we enjoy so much. For more information, go to http://www.trapperpeakwinery.com.

What a place to grow up! The children of Ravalli County are raised in one of the most beautiful counties in the most beautiful state in the nation. They are surrounded by love, fun, learning and the grand pioneer spirit that developed the Bitterroot Valley. In addition to the attractions listed below, be sure to take your children to the Creamery Picnic, Logger Days, Daly Days, the Ravalli County Fair, Macintosh Apple Day, Christmas in Hamilton, and Winterfest which all have special appeal for children.

87. NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY, FLORENCE, JUNE 11, 2011 On Saturday morning, bring to whole family to Hideout Mountain at Florence Park. There will be clinics for children and their parents on biking, hiking, fishing, tennis, birding and art.

In the afternoon, take a family bicycle ride, a short family hike up Kootenai Creek, or head to Chief Looking Glass Fishing access for a family fishing outing. Or choose to use your new tennis skills on the Florence Park tennis court, or go to the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge for wildlife observation, photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education and interpretation. Budding artists can participate in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plein airâ&#x20AC;? water media, all supplies available.

For information, go to http://bitterrootexpress. com.

62 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

VDYH these dates

for summer fun in Downtown Hamilton!

7XHVGD\V DW 7ZHOYH June 21- John Floridas June 28 - Fixin’ Two July 5 - Blue to the Bone July 12 - Mike & Tari Conroy July 19 - Cabin Fever July 26 - Celtic Knots August 2 - John Scheiver August 9 - Steve & Maureen Powell & Friends August 16 - Bitterroot Community Band 0RUH )DQWDVWLF (YHQWV Jun 10-12 Montana Mule Days Jun 10-12 Montana Professional Artists Show and Sale Jun 18 31st Annual Bitterroot Day Jul 1-2 Senior Pro Rodeo Jul 1-2 Bitterroot Glory Days JJul 22-23 Daly Days Jul 30-31 Renaissance Faire Aug 25-28 Scottish Irish Festival Aug 31-Sep 3 Ravalli County Fair Sep 24 Farmers Market Harvest Fest and Giant Pumpkin Contest Oct 1 McIntosh Apple Day

)LUVW )ULGD\ June 3 July 1 August 5 September 2 October 7 November 4 December 2

88. INTRODUCE YOUR CHILDREN TO HORSES AT PARSONS PONY FARM NEAR FLORENCE Parsons’ Pony Farm teaches children of all ages to ride a friendly, gentle pony. There is no lower age limit, only an upper weight limit of 100 pounds. The young riders are invited to help groom and saddle their pony. Then they are helmeted, fitted to stirrups, and assisted by an experienced wrangler for a memorable 1.5 hour trail ride. All riders are helmeted and accompanied on the ride. Adults are welcome to walk the trail with the wranglers and riders, or wait at a nearby comfortable shaded picnic table. Be sure to bring a camera! For more information, go to www.parsonsponies.com.

89. TAKE THE WHOLE FAMILY TO THE “FIELD OF SCREAMS” NEAR VICTOR The “Field Of Screams” Haunted Corn Field opens Friday, October 1, 2011 and will be open through the month of October. The hours are dusk until 10 p.m., Thursday; dusk until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10 each; discounts and group rated available.

Located 4 ½ miles south of Victor, on 1497 Highway 93. For more information, call 6426426, email with questions to info@Qwivals. com, or go to www.qwivals.com.

90. VISIT A FASCINATING DOLL MUSEUM IN FLORENCE A sign hanging outside the light yellow house with brown gingerbread-like eaves gives away the treasure awaiting visitors inside “The Dollhouse.” More than a thousand dolls are displayed in antique glass cases in the showroom of Theresa’s Dolls and Gifts, located along the Eastside Highway in Florence. There are dolls made of wood, porcelain and vinyl; dolls with three faces, dolls whose hair grows and others with a music box inside. They are from Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Canada, representing all ethnicities and emotions. Some are nearly two centuries old. Some resembled American presidents, Hollywood actors, royal families and fairy tale characters.

91. LEARN HOW TO BE STAR AT HAMILTON PLAYERS THEATER SCHOOL Hamilton Players is offering three theater schools for students grades K-12 this year. Summer Session I for K-12th grade, will be held July 11-15; Summer Session II, with selected enrollment for 4-12th grades, is August 8-13; and the Fall Session for K-12th grade, begins September 19. Each session ends with a performance.

The Summer Session I performance, “Time And Time Again”, will be July 15-16; Summer Session II performance, “Faces”, will on August 12-13.

The Fall Session performance, “Tis the Season”, will be December 9-10. Unlike other summer theater camps that focus solely on condensing a showcase performance into one week of

Th e Brooks Christmas Everyday

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 63

intense rehearsal, the Players’ theater school will focus on fundamental performance skills, improvisation, introductory theater etiquette, and basic technical skills. The Hamilton Playhouse is located at 100 Ricketts Rd., Hamilton.

For more information, call 375-9050, M-F, 1 pm-5 pm.

92. YOUTH HISTORY CAMP The Daly Mansion Preservation Trust will be hosting a Youth History Day Camp, Life in the Bitterroot Valley, Then & Now, from June

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27-July 1st at the Daly Mansion and on the grounds of the Margaret Daly Memorial Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. The camp will be from 9 am-4 pm Monday through Friday, with a sleep-over on Thursday night. The week will focus on a variety of subjects including Native American culture, transportation, “a day-inthe-life” during the turn of the last century, and more. The camp is for youths aged 9-13 years who will be offered a variety of handson activities. Cost of the camp is $100 per child. The Mansion is located at 251 Eastside Hwy. in Hamilton. For more information or register, call 363-6004, ext. 3#.

93. WALK IN THE FOREST WHEN THE MOON IS FULL Once a month, as the full moon glows, it seems safe to venture out into the dark while the moon makes shadows. You can still smell the flowers, feel the wind, hear the water, and sense the wildlife. For the 11th year, the

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 65

66 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Bitterroot National Forest and the Bitter Root RC&D offer a series of interpretive “Moon Walks” from June through October. These walks are based on the book by Francis Hammerstrom, “Walk When the Moon is Full “, which is about her children and the nature walks they took every month under the full moon. Join interpreters and naturalists for the 2011 Walk by the Light of the Moon series. The program will begin at 7pm on the full moon and last approximately 1.5 hours.

For more information, go to www.fs.usda. gov/bitterroot and click on “Learning Center” or call the Bitterroot National Forest at (406) 363-7100.

94. SUMMER READING PROGRAMS AT OUR LOCAL LIBRARIES Register for the Bitterroot Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, “One World, Many Stories”, at the library, 306 State Street, Hamilton. “Wild Wednesday” performances will be held on the west lawn beginning June 22. Story times occur throughout the year on Wednesday for preschoolers, and Friday for toddlers. For more information call (406) 363-1670, or go to www.bitterrootpubliclibrary.org. The Darby Community Public Library’s Summer Reading Program starts on June 2nd, with special events beginning at 4 pm. The program will have special events for all, and weekly events for children, culminating in a celebration on Saturday, July 23rd.

For more information call (406) 821-4771, or go to www.darbylibrary.net. Stevensville’s North Valley Public Library program is called Camp Out at Our Library (COOL). They have partnered with the USFS, Trout Unlimited, Fish and Game, Bitterroot Fishers, and others to create an exciting summer program that will feature traditional arts and crafts, science lessons, guest speakers, and field trips. Children must be registered to attend. For more information, go to www.northvalleylibrary. org,

95. CAMP INVENTION SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP, HAMILTON, JUNE 13-17, 2011 Camp Invention is an International Program which promotes science education for children entering Grades 1-6 in the fall. There are three Certified Teachers, as well as Teacher Helpers, Camp Counselors and Jr. Counselors.

Children are challenged in a fun way, and exhausted by the end of the day! The camp is held from 9 am-3:30 pm; bring your own sack lunch. Camp Invention puts on a new unit each year, and always includes an “I Can Invent” segment where kids make their own prototype inventions from old gadgets & appliances. This year’s unit is SPARK! The camp takes place at Hamilton Middle School, 209 South 5th St., in Hamilton For more information call (406) 363-2619, email matthewss@hsd3. org, or go to www.campinvention.org.

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Other interesting things to do There are so many interesting things to do in the Bitterroot that are difficult to categorize but which you will enjoy, many of which are very unique. The western experience is very much a part of Montana and you will feel it at many of these activities. The most impressive thing you will feel is the warm reception you will experience from our residents who are glad to welcome you to the Bitterroot Valley.

96. GO DOWNTOWN FOR FIRST FRIDAY IN STEVENSVILLE OR HAMILTON Communities large and small host events to encourage more folks to shop downtown.

Stevensville began celebrating the First Friday of every month a number of years ago with great success. Stores in Stevensville host open houses, artists display their latest work, special events with music and wonderful food are offered. For more information, call (406) 777-

3773, or go to www.mainstreetstevensville. com. Hamilton recently joined the celebration and is offering art shows, refreshments, special discounts and other enticements to help promote local businesses and create an exciting atmosphere in downtown Hamilton. Many of the businesses also host out-of-downtown businesses.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 69

cutting as one of the world’s most popular equine sports. For more information, go to montanacha.com. The Big Sky Trotter Association holds its annual point show at the Sapphire Event Center in Corvallis. This show, highlighting the Missouri Fox Trotter horse, draws competitors from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Missouri and Montana.

For more information, go to http://bigskyfta. org The Montana Quarter Horse Association has two annual events here and several BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting events are held in the fall. For dates of these events, see the Calendar of Events, or go to www.sapphireeventcenterllc.com.

98. REACH FOR THE CLOUDS IN THE MOUNTAIN BUTTERFLY HOT AIR BALLOON Each flight in this beautiful hot air balloon is a unique experience that will be a lifelong and treasured, memory. On occasion the basket will hover inches above the grass; the next, it will be flying smoothly over the rolling terrain.

You might brush the crowns of Ponderosa Pine trees; find yourself just below the clouds, or cruising above them. All flights begin at sunrise, as this is the coolest and most stable time of the day. You should be airborne for no less than one hour, but it could be longer as appropriate landing sites are not always available for our convenience. Finding them is part of the fun. For more information, call 777-3858 or 777-0520.

97. SEE MAGNIFICENT HORSES AT THE VALLEY’S MANY HORSE SHOWS Five nationally sanctioned Cutting Horse Competitions are held in a beautiful ranch setting in the Bitterroot Valley. These highly intelligent, athletic horses and riders test their skills against wily cattle. The American cowboy of the 1800s would never have imagined

99. DISC GOLF? IT’S A WALK IN THE WOODS! In Disc Golf, you play a course that has baskets and “tones,” instead of holes, and toss a Frisbee into each. All you need is a Frisbee and good hand-eye coordination. Spiritwood is a beautiful 22 hole Disc Golf course, set in the pines, with many interesting and challenging holes. There is a short a kid’s course which is also a good warm-up for the experienced players. The course is on the national PDGA listing and hosts four tournaments each year.

70 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Competitors come from all over the country. June 4 will be the 25th Annual Spiritwood Open Disc Golf Tournament. It is a private course with public access. Open daylight hours, seven days a week. The course is located south of Missoula off Hwy 93. Three miles south of Victor, turn west on Bear Creek, left on Red Crow, south then straight onto Fred Burr, right into Spiritwood. For more information, call 531-2707 , email folfer55@gmail.com, or go to www.spiritwooddiscgolf.com.

100. FIND YOUR INNER SELF WALKING THE REDSUN LABYRINTH Redsun Labyrinth is an eleven circuit labyrinth located west of Victor. The original 800 year-old pattern for this labyrinth is in Chartres Cathedral. Made of fieldstone, it is 108’ in diameter, one of the largest in the United States. The berm around it is three feet high and topped with cottonwood logs. The inside of the base is circled with 173 lavender plants.

This ancient sacred tool is used as a walking

meditation. The total walk in and out is 4/5 of a mile. The labyrinth is a wonderful place for a circle ceremony among friends.

101. DRIVE THE HISTORICAL EASTSIDE HIGHWAY The Eastside Highway is a beautiful and historic highway, which has served the valley since the 1800s. The drive from Florence through Stevensville and Corvallis to Hamilton is like a trip through Ravalli County’s past. You will see homes that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, such as the Martin Cramer home, built in 1893, the only one of its kind in the Valley and one of about 150 in the country. In Corvallis is a charming Christmas store that was once an old home. Look for historic sites such as Fort Owen, Historic St. Mary’s Mission, the Daly Mansion, and Tammany Castle, Marcus Daly’s stable. Most of these locations are described in detail elsewhere in this publication. A brochure describing the highlights and locations of the drive will be available at the Chamber office this summer.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 71

For more tourism and visitor information, brochures and maps, visit one of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two Visitor Information Centers.

One is located at the Chamber Office at 105 East Main Street in Hamilton and open year-round.

The Lost Trail Visitor Center, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is located at Lost Trail Pass, just north of the Idaho state line.

You can also visit the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Visitor Information website at www.visitbitterroot.com for a complete listing of Ravalli County tourism businesses.

www.wildroseemu.com

72 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

St. Mary’s Mission and Museum Celebrating 170 years St. Mary’s Mission and the community of Stevensville

St. Mary’s Mission “Where Montana Began”

SUMMER FEST July 8 & 9 2011 HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL Sponsored by Blacksmith Brewery

COW PIE BINGO July 9, 2011 Sponsored by Historic St. Mary’s Mission ANNUAL SALISH PILGRIMAGE September 18, 2011 Mass at 2pm followed by potluck dinner FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION September 24, 2011 Celebrating 170th Anniversary of the founding of Historic St. Mary’s Mission.

11am Flag raising ceremony & re-enactment 11:30am to 1pm BBQ available by Knights of Columbus STEVENSVILLE’S COUNTRY CHRISTMAS December 2, 2011 Historic Chapel Open House from 6pm to 9pm OPENING DAY CEREMONY April 17, 2012 St. Mary’s Mission Opening Day Celebration Mass celebrated in the Historic Chapel.

Flag Raising Ceremony by the Stevensville FFA Chapter Refreshments and Guided Tours

West end of 4th Street, Stevensville • 777-5734

www.saintmarysmission.org for more info visit: saintmarysmission.org

Visit Yesterday...Today.

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74 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

bitterroot communities Florence The earliest settlers called the town “One Horse,” named for the creek that runs through it. In 1880 it was renamed for the daughter of A. B. Hammond.

Hammond helped open the valley to the lumber industry. He also brought the railroad to the Bitterroot Valley for moving lumber, and he put together a sawmill in a well-timbered area. The town of Florence pretty much grew up around it.

There was another town, just to the north, named Carlton, which merged with Florence. It left its name to the school district, which is called the Florence-Carlton School District.

Stevensville Montana began at Stevensville. The town was founded by the Italian priest Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet, who began St. Mary’s Mission in 1841, It was expanded by Father Antonio Ravalli, for whom the county is named.

Father Ravalli sailed from Europe in 1843 to the New World, and became not only the priest to the Native Americans of the Bitterroot Valley, but also their physician and pharmacist, sculptor,

architect and machinist for the little settlement.

Memories of the magnificent interior of his parish church in Ferrara are recalled in the lovely Historic St. Mary’s Chapel.

Father DeSmet came as a result of a request by native tribes for “Black Robes” to come to the area. He and Ravalli befriended the Indians, who helped them learn to survive in the Montana wilderness.

John Owen built the Fort Owen Trading Post.

The actual town of Stevensville was begun by two traders, John Winslett and J. K. Houk. They came off the Emigrant Road in 1863 and built the town’s first store.

In 1864, a little group of settlers named the community Stevensville, after Isaac Stevens, the first governor of what was then the Washington Territory. The original town site was platted in 1879.

Father Ravalli is buried in the cemetery at the Historic St. Mary’s Mission, which also offers a museum and restored original buildings, including Father Ravalli’s chapel, from the early history of the state.

Victor A. S. Blake and his Shoshone wife came to the Bitterroot in the 1860s and were among the founders of the town of Victor. Blake later became the first elected state legislator from Missoula County, out of which Ravalli County was later carved.

Victor was originally named Garfield, after President James Garfield. It was later renamed after Chief Victor of the Salish tribe, whom the whites called the Flathead.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 75

Blake organized the Farmers State Bank in 1907. Soon thereafter, the town saw a business boom, and the bank helped support businesses in lumbering, mining, agriculture and education.

Victor school had the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best school system, and became the first consolidated school district in Montana.

The bank survived five robberies, the 1929 stock market crash and the Depression. When other banks were closing their doors, Farmers State Bank continued in business, making loans sometimes based merely on faith and reputation, and kept the local economy going when much of the national economy dried up.

It stared out in a corner of the St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drug Store and now serves two counties while providing a colorful and distinctive visual accent to downtown Victor.

Corvallis In 1853 and 1854, John Mullan established a winter base from which to make observations towards creation of an overland route to the Columbia River. His party built four cabins at a large

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76 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

spring on what is now called Willow Creek.

The original settlement near what is now Corvallis was first named Chaffinville by Elijah and Margaret Chaffin. They, along with the Slack and Mitchell families, formed the town. In 1865, the Willow Creek Town Company was founded and the town of Willow Creek surveyed. The Chaffins moved to Oregon, but returned in 1866 and named the present site of the town after the town in Oregon of the same name, according to one source. Another source states that the name means “Heart of the valley” and was given the town by a Frenchman named Herron.

The agricultural land behind the town is some of the best in the valley, and construction of the big canal of the Bitter Root Valley Irrigation Company gave Corvallis the capability to bring hundreds of acres into production,

It began when financier and copper king Marcus Daly came to the Bitterroot, having already made a fortune mining in Butte and Anaconda in the 1880s. In or about 1887, he bought some sawmills west of today’s Hamilton and in 1890 brought in two Minnesota planners, James Hamilton and Robert O’Hara, naming the town after one of them.

Hamilton was incorporated in 1894. O’Hara became its first mayor.

Hamilton’s population nearly doubled between 1907 and 1911, going from 1,800 to 3,000.

Hamilton Unique among the villages of early Ravalli County, Hamilton was a planned town that began with wide streets and a defined economic center along its Main Street.

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 77

(In the 2000 Census it was 3,705.) The town center was the intersection of Main Street and First, a.k.a. U.S. Highway 93.

The Silver Coin Casino sits where the Hotel Hamilton originally stood. It was the first building in the downtown area. The original wood frame building was destroyed by a fire. The next year it was replaced by a two-story brick hotel designed

by John Kent, who later designed the Montana State Capital. The new hotel boasted hot water heat, electric lights and bells, a barber shop, barroom, kitchen and parlors.

The commercial blocks along Main Street include several buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places, identified by metal plaques telling about the history of the specific building.

Of particular note architecturally are two older structures. One, the Ravalli County Museum on Bedford Street near Third, began existence as the county seat. When the county outgrew its confines, Hamilton citizens, working through the Historical Society, organized a campaign to save the structure and make it a museum. For the historically-minded, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a must-see.

The other noteworthy structure is the building that houses the Hamilton fire department. It was, originally, Hamiltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first city hall. Built in 1906, it also housed the public library and the fire department. The sole big change was the moving of the fire department truck doors from the front to the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Street side.

Email: info@mountainspiritinn.com www.mountainspiritinn.com

78 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Darby Darby was named in 1888 by its Postmaster James Darby; and its overall architecture has a distinct western flair. Log buildings still stand as a reminder of the gold dust days. Darby’s Pioneer Memorial Museum was originally one of the first hand-hewn homestead cabins built in the area.

Warm, friendly people will greet you at the unique shops, grocery store, post office, library, restaurants, saloons and lodging establishments.

Highlights of this prime recreation area include Alta Ranger Station, Darby Pioneer Memorial Museum, Lake Como Recreation Area, Lost Trail Ski Area, and Painted Rocks Lake.

With a population in 2007 of 853 people, the town is a quiet one with spectacular scenery and fabulous fishing opportunities. Visitors will enjoy the National Museum of Forest Service History located here.

To pay tribute to its founding fathers, Darby hosts Logger Days each summer. Darby is a rural small town that is horse-friendly. The lifestyle is laid back. The pace is slow. There are so many activities to participate in and enjoy, because Darby is the gateway to nature’s playground.

Darby’s elevation stands at 3,888 feet.

Sula The Sula area, also called Ross Hole, was the site where the Lewis and Clark expedition first met the Salish Indians (also called the Flathead).

On Sept. 4, 1805, the expedition met a tribe of Salish on the East Fork of the Bitterroot River, in Ross Hole. The meeting was one of the first with

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the European-blooded Americans for the Salish.

The tribe was more than friendly. They provided the expedition was badly needed fresh horses and helped them make their way over the huge Bitterroot Mountains, through Lolo pass, and down the Lochsa River, bringing them closer to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean.

Another early visitor was Ellis Hanover Ross, who worked for the Hudson Bay Company. He was on his way to Snake River country in March 1824, but got stranded with 55 Indian men, 89 Indian women and children in deep snow. They waited till spring to make it over Lost Trail Pass, and Ross called the Sula Basin the “Valley of Troubles.”

The area was named for the first Caucasian child, Ursula, born in the Ross Hole area. There is a painting by the great Western artist Charles M. Russell of a view from the pioneer home of James Wetzsteon. It now hangs in the Montana State Capitol building.

West Fork The Bitterroot Forest Reserve was established in 1897, and in 1899 rangers Than Wilkerson and Hank Tuttle became its first rangers. At the nolonger present town of Alta, they built the Forest Service’s first cabin. Their job was to put out forest fires and improve the trails from Alta to Medicine Springs in the East Fork.

A gold miner named George Orr and another miner named Hackett discovered the Monitor Silver Mine beyond the headwaters of the West Fork of the Bitterroot. It was near Owl Creek, a tributary to Idaho’s Salmon River. In 1900, Orr and copper king Marcus Daly had a road built to the mine, the farthest west of any road in the Bitterroots at the time.

In 1925, Forest Service Supervisor J. W. Lowell flew over the National Forest and the tops of Trapper Peak, El Capitan and St. Mary’s Peak. Two years later, a 650-acre fire was observed from a survey plane, which dropped a map of the fire’s location to a lookout which used it in fighting the fire.

Two years later, Charles Lindbergh, the first pilot to cross the Atlantic, flew over the Bitterroot Valley and mountains. He took photographs for National Geographic which appeared in that magazine’s January 1928 issue.

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 79

111 Years of Continuous Fellowship Visit the Historical

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 600 South Third Street (Hamilton’s Historical District) Family Oriented, All are Welcome

For information about Programs, Tours, & Worship Services Times please call

363-3025

80 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Calendar of events 2011/2012

May 27-29 May 30 7 am May 30 10 am

May 30 May 30-Jun 11

Jun 1-30 10 am

Jun 3 5:30 Jun 3 5:30

Jun 3 6 pm

Jun 3 6 pm

Jun 3-4 10 & 2

Jun 3-5 2pm

Jun 4 8:30

Jun 4 8:30

Jun 4 9 am

Jun 4 9 am

Jun 4 9 am

Jun 4 6 pm

Jun 4-5 10:30

Jun 7 4 pm

Western Montana Quarter Horse ShowSapphire Events Center, Corvallis Pancake Breakfast before the Memorial Day parade, Downtown Corvallis The Biggest Little Parade in America Downtown Corvallis Corvallis Community Carnival after the parade, Corvallis High School Contemporary American Indians in Montana traveling trunk exhibit Darby Community Library, Darby Featured Artist: Kate Welty - Acrylics/Oils Darby Community Library, Darby First Friday (every Friday, year-round), Downtown Stevensville Artists Along the Bitterroot Reception River’s Mist Gallery, Stevensville First Friday (every Friday, year-round) Downtown Hamilton North Valley Public Library presents “Bitterroot Range” Band 208 Main St, Stevensville Junior High State Finals Rodeo Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton Montana State Mounted Shoot Townsend Ranch, Darby Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton North Bitterroot Valley Farmers Market US 93 & Eastside Hwy, Florence Florence Farmers Market (every Sat. through mid-Oct) Caffe Firenze, Florence Hamilton Farmers Market Coop (every Sat. through Oct 8) Bedford, 2nd & 3rd Sts, Hamilton Harvest Vallley Farmers Market (Sat. through mid-Oct) south end of Main Street, Stevensville 25th Annual Spiritwood Open Disc Golf Tournament Fred Burr Road, Victor Bitterroot Brewery presents music by Moonshine Mountain 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Artists Along the Bitterroot Artists Studio Tour Various Locations Darby Farmers Market (every Tues. through Oct 25) Main Street Park, Darby

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 81

Jun 9 6 pm

Jun 10-12 8 am

Jun 10-12 8:30-5

Jun 10-12 10-8

Jun 10-12 8 pm

Jun 11 8 am

Jun 11 9 am

Jun 11 10-2

Jun 11 5 pm

Jun 11 6 pm

Jun 11-12

Jun 15 1 pm

Bitterroot Brewery presents music by John Floridas 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Montana Mule Days Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton Big Sky Fiber Arts Festival Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton Montana Professional Artists Show and Sale Bitterroot River Inn, Hamilton Hamilton Players Production, “The King and I” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Sell-A-Rama, Town-wide Sale Darby National Get Outdoors Day Florence Park, Florence Art & Treasures Appraisal Event Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton TNT Dinner & Auction The Teller, Corvallis Bitterroot Brewery presents music by Pinegrass 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Glacier Cutting Horse Association Show Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Children’s Lawn Party Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton

82 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Jun 15 7 pm

Jun 16 6 pm

Jun 17 7 pm Jun 17-18 11 am Jun 17-19

Jun 17-20 9 am

Jun 18 9 am

Jun 18 7pm

Jun 18 7 pm

Jun 18 7 pm

Jun 18-20 8 pm

Jun 23 6 pm

Bitterroot National Forest Wildlife Moon presentation Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge Bitterroot Brewery presents music by El 3-Oh 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Ravalli County Relay for Life, Event Center Track Corvallis Western Heritage Days, Downtown, Stevensville National Reining Horse Assn Show Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Darby Bitterroot Descendants Reunion Darby Elementary School and Darby Library 31st Annual Bitterroot Day Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton Jack Rabbit JUMP features Milton Menasco and the Big Fiasco, 5860 US Highway 93 S, Sula North Valley Public Library Movie Night, “Eragon” 208 Main St, Stevensville Jack Rabbit JUMP features Milton Menasco & The Big Fiasco 5860 US Hwy 93 S, Sula Hamilton Players Production, “The King and I” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Bitterroot Brewery presents music by The Headwaters 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 83

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Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Jun 24-26 Western Montana Quarter Horse Show

Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis June 25 4:30pm Darby School Excellence Fund Benefit, Rennaker Ranch, Darby Jun 25 3rd Annual Motorcycle and Car Show

Rocky Knob Lodge, Conner Jun 25 9-1 Introduction to Dutch Oven Cooking

Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton Jun 25 Bitterroot Valley Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund Car & Bike Show Jun 25-26 9 & 11 Bitterroot Quiltersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild Quilt Show, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Sentimental Journeyâ&#x20AC;?

1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton Jun 25 6 pm Bitterroot Brewery presents music by Sister Monk

101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Jun 27-Jul 1 9 am Youth History Camp

Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton Jun 30 3 pm National Senior Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton Jun 30 6 pm Exhibit Opening, Rodeo BBQ & Street Dance

Ravalli County Museum, HamiltonJ Jun 30 6 pm Bitterroot Brewery presents music by the Grant Maledy Trio

101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Jun 30 8 pm Bitterroot Community Band Concert

Claudia Driscoll Park Band Shell, Hamilton

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Jul 1 3pm

Jul 1 6-8

Jul 1-2 7 pm

Jul 1-2 9 am

Jul 1- 31 10 am

Jul 2 3 pm

Jul 2 5:30

Jul 7 8 pm

Jul 7-9

July 8 3pm

Jul 8-9

Jul 9

Glory Days Parade Downtown, Hamilton North Valley Library 1st Friday – Superadequate Band 208 Main St, Stevensville Senior Pro Rodeo, Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton Bitterroot Glory Days Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton Featured Artist: Gwen Bloedel - Photography Darby Community Library, Darby An Afternoon of Cowboy Poetry Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton Lawn Concert & Potluck featuring Adler & Hearne St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band Presents ‘Bittersweet’ Claudia Driscoll Park Band Shell, Hamilton Big Sky Fox Trotter Association’s Annual Point Show Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Rockin’ in the Root Music Festival, Richard Cromwell Rodeo Grounds, Darby Summer Fest-Bands, Balloons & BBQ St. Mary’s Mission Grounds, Stevensville Ride de Root 100-mile Bicycle Ride Right to Bare Arms, Darby

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Custom catering featuring a fully self-contained mobile kitchen Wine club & wine tasting parties.

Hearty breakfasts offering aromatic espresso drinks. House-made soup, salads, sanwiches and pasta. Italian inspired dinners with nightly features.

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Jul 9 9 am

Jul 9 Jul 9 3 pm

Jul 9 4:30

Jul 10 10 am

Jul 10

Jul 11-15 8 pm

Jul 13 9 am

Jul 14 6 pm

Jul 14 8 pm

Jul 15 7 pm

Jul 15 7 pm

Jul 15-16 5 pm

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 85

BitterRodders Car Show Mildenberger Motors, Hamilton Airport Days/Fly In, Ravalli Co. Airport, Hamilton Rockin’ in the Root Music Festival Richard Cromwell Rodeo Grounds, Darby Elite Bull Connection Richard Cromwell Rodeo Grounds, Darby Big Sky Fox Trotter’s Memorial Trail Ride Larry Creek Trailhead, Stevensville Pint Night for the Ravalli, County Museum Bitterroot Brewery, Hamilton Hamilton Players Summer Theater School Session 1 Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Hamilton Farmers Market 20th Anniversary Party & Market Bedford, 2nd & 3rd Sts, Hamilton Bitterroot Brewery presents music by Ron Renninger 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band Concert Claudia Driscoll Park Band Shell, Hamilton Bitterroot National Forest Moon presentation BNF Charles Waters Campground Jack Rabbit Jump features Tom Catmull and the Clerics Concert 5860 US Hwy 93 S, Sula Darby Logger Days South Side of Darby

First Baptist Church 354 Cooper Lane, Hamilton, Montana 59840 406.363.3735 • hfbc@qwestoffice.net

$0 30 VHUYLFHV HYHU\ 6XQGD\ %LEOH 6WXG\ DQG 3UD\HU 0HHWLQJ HYHU\ :HG DW 30 $:$1$ IURP 6HSW WKUX PLGGOH RI $SULO 6800(5 (9(176 0D\ WK &DOLIRUQLD %DSWLVW 0HQ¶V &KRUDOH PHPEHU 30 0D\ QG 'DQQ\ 'H/XQD &RQFHUW 30 -XQH WK 'ULYHQ 4XDUWHW &RQFHUW 30 -XQH WK 3URFODLPHUV &RQFHUW -XQH 9DFDWLRQ %LEOH 6FKRRO www.firstbapt i s tc h u r c hh a m ilton.com

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86 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Jul 15-16 7 pm

Jul 16 9 am Jul 16 6 pm

Jul 16 7 pm

Jul 16-17

Jul 17 7 am

Jul 21 6:30

Jul 22-23 10 am

Jul 22-23 10 am

Jul 22-24 5 pm

Jul 22-24 6 & 2

Jul 23 6 pm

Hamilton Players Summer Theatre School Production, “Time And Time Again” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Strawberry Festival, Darby City Park, Darby Reception for Kathleen Sheard’s One Woman Show Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton North Valley Public Library Cheap Movie Night 208 Main St, Stevensville Glacier Cutting Horse Association Horse Show Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Tour of the Bitterroot Cycling Event, South of Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band Concert on the Lawn Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton Daly Days Daly Mansion & Downtown Hamilton BitterRodders Car Show Main Street, Hamilton West Fest, ADV Riders with Friday night BBQ Darby 3rd Annual Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival US 93, 10 miles south of Hamilton Bitterroot Brewery presents music by The Accousticals 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton

WWW.CANYONLAKEHELICOPTERS.COM

Come sight see the Selway, Tour the Bitterroots or learn to fly!

516 Airport Rd • Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 360-6842 Mobile • (406) 363-5453 Fax

Jul 23

Jul 23 3-10

Jul 23-24 9-5 Jul 28 8 pm

Jul 29 7pm

Jul 30-31 10-7

Aug 2-31 10 am

Aug 3

Aug 4 6 pm

Aug 4 8 pm

Aug 5 7 pm

Aug 5-6 4 &11 Aug 6

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 87

Lake Como Triathlon at Lake Como Lake Como, south of Hamilton Bitterroot Microbrew Fest Downtown Hamilton Art in the Park, American Legion Park, Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band Concert Claudia Driscoll Park Bandshell, Hamilton Jack Rabbit JUMP features Stellarondo and Amy Martin 5860 US Highway 93 S, Sula Renaissance Faire Claudia Driscoll Park, Hamilton Featured Artist: Judith DeYoung - Oils/Watercolors Darby Community Library, Darby Shakespeare in the Parks, “Merchant of Venice” TBA, Hamilton Bitterroot Brewery presents music by Handful of Luvin’ 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band Presents: Five Valley Accordions Claudia Driscoll Park Bandshell, Hamilton Jack Rabbit Jump features Handful of Luvin’ Concert 5860 US Hwy 93 S, Sula Creamery Picnic & Parade,Lewis &:Clark Park, Stevensville Roundup at Riverside Fundraiser Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton

www.brvhsmuseum.org

88 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Aug 8-13

Aug 11 6 pm

Aug 11 8 pm

Aug 12-13 7 pm

Aug 13 8 am Aug 13 9 am

Aug 13

Aug 13 7 pm

Aug 13 -14 10-5

Aug 13-Sep 11

Aug 16 12 n

Aug 18 8 pm

Aug 19-21

and a whole lot more!

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Hamilton Players Summer Theater School Session 2 Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Bitterroot Brewery presents music by Tumble Down House 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band Concert Claudia Driscoll Park Bandshell, Hamilton Hamilton Players Summer Theater Workshop Production, “Faces”, Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Sell-A-Rama, Town-wide Sale, Darby Living Green, Living Healthy ~ Community Health Fair Bedford, 2nd & 3rd Sts, Hamilton Bitterroot Water Forum “RiverFest” River Park, Hamilton Noxious Weeds and Native Plants Moon Fort Owen State Park, Stevensville South Valley Quilt Show Darby High School Cafeteria, Darby “Fall Classics Show” Art Show Ponderosa Art Gallery, Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band at Tuesday at 12 Hamilton Legion Park, Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band Presents: Kent Curtiss Band Claudia Driscoll Park Bandshell, Hamilton 17th Annual Bitterroot Tour of Homes

Consider saying THANK YOU to the One responsible for all this beauty Our God of great grace!

Join us for Sunday Worship 9:30AM

Grace Lutheran Church 275 Hattie Lane, Hamilton

363-1924

363-3822

Whole Pies for Purchase

Open 7 Days A Week

Hours: 6am - 10pm 500 S. 1st, Hwy 93 • Hamilton

CALL US ABOUT: Directions to the Church Mid-Week Campfire Vespers RV Parking Tips

Pastor Vern Sandersfeld vsandds@gmail.com The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

mtdollhouse@aol.com

90 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Aug 19-21 8 pm

Aug 20 Aug 20 7 pm

Aug 20 7 pm

Aug 20-21

Aug 25 6 pm

Aug 25 8 pm

Aug 25-28 Aug 26-27 8 pm

Aug 27 Aug 27 6 pm

Aug 27

Aug 31 Aug 31-Sep 3

Hamilton Players, “Red, White, and Tuna” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Kids In The Garden, Daly Mansion Gardens, Hamilton North Valley Public Library Cheap Movie Night, 208 Main St, Stevensville Jack Rabbit Jump features Keegan Smith Concert, 5860 US Hwy 93 S, Sula Glacier Cutting Horse Association Horse Show Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Bitterroot Brewery presents music by Paul Cataldo 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Bitterroot Community Band Concert Claudia Driscoll Park Bandshell, Hamilton Scottish Irish Festival, Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton Hamilton Players, “Red, White, and Tuna” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Bitterroot Classic Triathlon, Bitterroot Aquatic Center, Hamilton Bitterroot Brewery presents music by Plant Party 101 Marcus Street, Hamilton Bitterroot Valley Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Event The Teller, Corvallis Ravalli County Fair Parade, Downtown, Hamilton Ravalli County Fair, Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton

Victor Heritage Museum Historic Northern Pacific Depot Main & Blake, Victor • (406) 642-3997 P.O. Box 610, Victor, MT 59875

OPEN Memorial Day through Labor Day, Tue - Sat 1-4PM

2011 EVENTS SCHEDULE Summer Theme: Mining in Victor Mining Demonstration & Garden Art Event - June 11 Ice Cream Social - August 28 Chocolate Tasting & Silent Auction - December 5 Purchase a history of Victor, “Bitter Root Trails IV” at the Victor Heritage Museum gift shop.

To become a member or for more information on the Victor Heritage Museum please contact: Linda 239-4026 or Joann 363-1509 victorheritagemuseum.org • victormuseum@cybernet1.com

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 91

Sep 1 6 pm

Sep 1- 30 10 pm

Sep 2 6 pm

Sep 2-3 6 pm

Sep 3-5

Sep 9 7 pm

Sep 10 8:30

Sep 10 Sep 10

Sep 10

Sep 10-11

Sep 12 7 pm

Sep 17 7 pm Sep 17

Bull-A-Rama, Ravalli County Fair with music by Loyd Mabry Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton Featured Artist: Roberta Burruss - Watercolors Darby Community Library, Darby North Valley Public Library Hispanic Heritage Fiesta 208 Main St, Stevensville NRA Rodeo with music by Kyle Shobe & the Walkem’ Boys Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton State Omoksee Horse Competition Richard Cromwell Rodeo Arena, Darby Diva Pageant Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton BitterRodders Rumble in the Root RT from the Hayloft in Lolo to Connor Sustainable Living Systems Green Home Tour Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding BBQ BTR Sky High Area, Corvallis Sweathouse Half Marathon begins at Victor Park, Victor Glacier Cutting Horse Association Horse Show Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Bitterroot National Forest Aquatic Moon presentation Blodgett Creek Campground, Hamilton North Valley Public Library Cheap Movie Night, 208 Main St, Stevensville Ravalli Republic Taste of Home Cooking School HPAC Auditorium, Hamilton

State-Of-The-Art Weight Machines & Cardio With TV’s Located 1 block from Downtown Guests pay just $8 for a day pass, includes all classes

Ranch Tours Raw Fiber for Sale Scarves, Hats, Socks, etc “Paca-poo” Compost Breeding, Boarding & Sales

Spinning • Core Yoga • Kick Boxing, etc.

Also Available: Childcare, Tanning, Personal Training, Juice Bar, Supplements.

99 Marcus Street, Hamilton......................................................363-0300

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92 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Sep 19

Sep 23 5 pm

Sep 23 6:30

Sep 23-24 Sep 24 9 am

Sep 24 10-4

Sep 24 10-4 Sep 24 11 am

Sep 24 6 pm

Oct 1

Oct 1 10-4 Oct 1 Oct 1 9 am Oct 1

Oct 2 4 pm

Hamilton Players Fall Theater School begins Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton 32nd Annual Bitterroot Trout Unlimited Banquet and Auction Bitterroot River Inn, Hamilton Bitterroot Valley FarmFest: Harvest Festival Wine Tasting 1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton MT Cutting Horse Assoc. Year-End Show Sapphire, Events Center, Corvallis Farmers Market Harvest Fest and Giant Pumpkin Contest Bedford, 2nd & 3rd Sts, Hamilton Bitterroot Valley FarmFest: Farm Tour Eastside Hwy, Hamilton to no. of Corvallis Bitterroot Valley FarmFest: Food Fair, 1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton Founders Day, Celebrating 170 years for the community of Stevensville St. Mary’s Mission, Stevensville Bitterroot Valley FarmFest: Pasture to Plate Dinner Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton Hamilton High School Cross Country Meet & Community Run Grounds of Daly Mansion, Hamilton Costume & Vintage Sale, Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton McIntosh Apple Day, Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton Gary Habeck Memorial Sorting / Penning, Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis “Field of Screams” open throughout month of October, Hwy 93, 4 ½ miles south of Victor Blessing of the Animals St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Hamilton

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ALPACAS

The Rocking Over 30 beautiful, friendly alpacas

Ranch

Complimentary Tours Great Fun for the Kids Ranch store featuring a variety of alpaca products Come spend some time with these gentle creatures!

Between Victor & Hamilton • Turn west off Hwy 93 at mile 56, 2.2 miles to the ranch!

1760 Red Crow Rd, Victor MT 59875 • 406-642-3085 • Your hosts: Erv & Mo Lischke

101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 93

Scarecrow Festival, Eastside Hwy, Main St., Stevensville Oktoberfest “Mammo-Man” Contest, First Friday Downtown Hamilton North Valley Public Library “Oktoberfest” 208 Main St, Stevensville North Valley Public Library Cheap Movie Night 208 Main St, Stevensville Hamilton Players Murder Mystery Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Bitterroot National Forest Ghost Moon presentation BNF Larry Creek Group Camp, Florence Hamilton Players Performance, “Cats”, Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton North Valley Public Library presentation on MT Native American tribes 208 Main St, Stevensville Holly Jolly Craft Show, Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton Hamilton Players Performance, “Cats” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis 20th Annual Veterans Day Celebration Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton Hamilton Players Performance, “Cats” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton

a ban d ba e s s i n s n o t

“From almost old to nearly new” 131 Old Corvallis Rd., Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 375-0266 10-6 Mon - Sat. Closed Sunday

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Oct 7 4 pm Oct 7 6 pm

Oct 7 6 pm

Oct 15 7 pm

Oct 21-22

Oct 22

Oct 23 7 pm

Oct 28-30 8 pm Nov 4 6 pm

Nov 4-6 Nov 4-6 8 pm

Nov 5

Nov 11 2 pm

Nov 11-13 8 pm

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DOWNTOWN STEVENSVI L L E

FRIDAY & SATURDAY JUNE 17TH & 18TH

Historic Home Tour Wagon Rides & Cowboy Games

PARADE • CALCUTTA CHUCKWAGON COOK-OFF Live music with Voodoo Horseshoe and VENDORS • FOOD Robb Quist & the Great Northern Band BEER GARDEN

94 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 19 7 pm

Nov 25-26

Dec 2 Dec 2 6 pm

Dec 2 4 pm Dec 2-3 6 & 10 Dec 2-3 9 am Dec 3 9 am Dec 3 9 am Dec 3 Dec 4-6 8 pm

Dec 5 Dec 8

Dec 9-10 7 pm

Dec 17 Dec 17 Dec 17

Sustainable Living Systems ‘Root Food Celebration BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis North Valley Public Library Cheap Movie Night 208 Main St, Stevensville Hamilton Players Performance, “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton A Christmas in Hamilton, Downtown Hamilton North Valley Public Library “Holiday Songs” by Charla Bauman 208 Main St, Stevensville SAFE Silver Tea, Daly Mansion, Hamilton “A Montana Country Christmas”, Main St., Stevensville Winter Gun Show, Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton Darby Holiday Market, Darby Community Center, Darby Christmas Bazaar St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, Darby BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Hamilton Players Performance, “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Victor Heritage Museum Chocolate Tasting Party, Victor Marcus Daly Hospice Trees of Lights, Conf Rms B/C Marcus Daly Mem Hospital, Hamilton Hamilton Players Fall Theatre School Production,“Tis the Season” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis North Valley Public Library Cheap Movie Night, 208 Main St, Stevensville Community Christmas Party, Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton

2012 Jan 7 BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Jan 14-15 9:30am Darby Dog Derby Sled Dog Race, Nez Perce Road, Darby Jan 16 Hamilton Players Spring Theatre School begins,

Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Jan 21 Ravalli County Health Fair, 1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton Jan 21 BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting, Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Jan 24-25 9 am Winter Special Olympics, Lost Trail Powder Mountain Jan 28 10:30 WinterFest, Darby Community Clubhouse and ice rink, Darby Feb 4 9 am Feb 4 1 pm Feb 10-12 10-4

Feb 11 Feb 12 9:30 Feb 13-14 7 pm Feb 18 5 pm Feb 18 6:30 Feb 24-26 8 pm

Feb 25

BBIA Home Expo, 1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton Mutt Pull, Able Mini Storage, Darby “An Affair of the Heart” Art Quilt Show and Sale Hamilton City Hall, 2nd St., Hamilton BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting, Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Soroptimist Winter Golf Tournament, Downtown Hamilton Hamilton Players Valentine’s Day Dessert Show, Hamilton Steakfry, Lost Trail Powder Mountain Ski Resort Bitterroot Youth Home Gala, St. Francis Pastoral Life Center, Hamilton Hamilton Players, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis

96 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Mar 3-5 8 pm

Mar 10 10 am

Mar 10

Mar 10-12 9 am

Mar 10-12 8 pm

Mar 22 Mar 24 9 am Mar 24 9 am Mar 24

Mar 24 5:30

Hamilton Players, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton BV Spring Thaw and Marketplace 1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Hillclimb Race Lost Trail Powder Mountain Hamilton Players, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Skiesta Pint Night, Bitter Root Brewery, Hamilton Skiesta , Lost Trail Powder Mountain Spring Fair, 1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis 106th Annual Chamber Banquet Bitterroot River Inn, Hamilton

Mar 31 6 pm

Apr 7

Apr 7-8

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Bitterroot Banquet 1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton Darby Community Library Easter Egg Hunt Tin Cup Park, Darby BTPSA Team Penning and Sorting Sapphire Events Center, Corvallis

n w G O e s ’ n e e l l r i a v l s S n e t or e v e t S 301 Main Street, Stevensville

777-5591

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• Old Fashioned Soda Fountain • Fabric, notions, craft supplies • Photo developing, Digital Imaging • UPS, FedEx, USPS • Shipping, Packaging, Copies, Notary • Full Service Pharmacy • Montana State Liquor Store • Housewares, Jewelry, Greeting Cards

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101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011 - 97

Apr 8 1 pm

Apr 14 12 pm

Apr 14 5pm

April 17 12pm

Apr 28 8 am

Apr 29

May 12

May 12-13 12pm

May 20 6 pm

Community Easter Egg Hunt Ravalli County Fairgrounds, Hamilton Oldtime Bluegrass Festival Lone Rock School, Stevensville Natâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Wild Turkey Fed. Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet, Bitterroot River Inn, Hamilton Historic St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission Opening Day, St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission, Stevensville Darby Beautiful Day Darby Hamilton Players 1st Annual Hammy Awards Hamilton Playhouse, Hamilton Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Tea Daly Mansion, Eastside Hwy, Hamilton BR Gem & Mineral Society Rock Show 1st Interstate Ctr, Fairgrounds, Hamilton SAFE Crystal Ball, Bitterroot River Inn, Hamilton

All dates, times and locations are subject to change. If your event is not listed in this calendar, you can submit it for future publications by sending an email to csmith@visitbitterroot.com. Include the date, starting time, title of the event, and the location where it will be held. This is a service of the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce for the businesses and organizations in Ravalli County

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98 - 101 Things to do in the Bitterroot Valley, May 2011

Advertiser Index 2nd Street Market.............................29 A Forever Home................................28 Bitterroot Plastering..........................70 Alpaca Hill Drygoods.......................26 Alta Ranch........................................75 Angler’s Lodge.................................75 Antique Mall on Bedford.................29 Antiques & Collectibles....................28 Artists Along the Bitterroot...............17 Ballet Bitterroot.................................35 Barb’s Barn........................................29 Beaded Pony....................................78 Belleza...............................................91 Best Bling...........................................85 Between the Worlds.........................11 Big Creek Coffee Roasters..............10 Big Sky Builders..................................45 Bitterroot Brewfest............................76 Bitterroot Brewing.............................59 Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce.57 Bitterroot Glory Days..........................8 Bitterroot Performing Arts.................13 Bitterroot River B&B...........................21 Bitterroot River Inn.............................44 Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival.........82 Sweetwater Mercantile...................49 Bitterroot Valley Farm Fest...............25 Bradley O’s..........................................7 Burger Shack.....................................23 Café Firenze......................................84 Canyon Lake Helicopters................86 Chapter 1 Bookstore........................19 Cheers...............................................56 Coffee Cup Café.............................88 Cornerstone Realty..........................54 Cowboy Troy’s..................................81 Coyote Outdoors.............................34 Daly Mansion....................................73 Deer Crossing Bed & Breakfast.......49 Deffy’s................................................27 Dollar Rent a Car..............................32 Don’s Home Center.........................48 Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement District...................62 Drummond Real Estate....................94 Elite Bull Connection........................67 Faces by Laura.................................83 Fiesta En Jalisco................................38 First Baptist Church...........................85 Fishs Eddy O......................................27 Flea Market.............................. 28 & 93 Flying R Cabins..................................53 Fords Department Store..................43

Foster and Foster Financial..............24 Frontier Auto.....................................97 Funkie Lil Shaque..............................22 Gourmet to Go.................................22 Grace Lutheran Church..................88 Grandma’s Bargain Center............29 Grant’s Meadows............................42 Greetings Welcome Service...........85 Hamilton Downtown Association...39 Hamilton Farmer’s Market...................

Hamilton Players...............................32 Hard Times Bluegrass Festival..........23 Hidden Legend Winery....................35 Historic St. Mary’s Mission.................72 In Good Company...........................15 Iron Horse Athletics...........................91 Joe’s Studio.......................................29 John’s RV Repair...............................82 Jones Korman...................................57 Keystone Antiques...........................28 Kodiak Jax.........................................31 Lambros Real Estate – Donna Larson...............................56 Legacy Swords...................................7 Lifeline Creamery.............................15 Lischke Alpacas................................92 Little Bit O’ Heaven...........................46 Long Riders Barbeque.....................46 Lost Horse Creek Lodge...................48 Madison Creek Furnishings..............12 Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital........3 Me & Mom........................................49 Michael Taylor DDS..........................10 Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry......................90 Missoula CVB.....................................36 Mobile Massage of Missoula...........91 Montana Folk Fest............................76 Montana Hunting & Fishing Adventures...................................46 Montana Mule Days..........................9 Montana Professional Artists Association.................................100 Montana Westgate Realty..............70 Travelers Rest....................................54 Mountain Butterfly............................65 Mountain Spirit Inn............................77 Moxie Salon.......................................49 Music Box...........................................93 Oasis Montana.................................20 Old West Gallery...................... 29 & 52 Paper Clip.........................................93 Partyware Plus..................................11 Pioneer Carriage Service................97

Pronk Avenue Alpacas....................14 Prudential Montana Real Estate.......2 Ravalli County Bank.........................78 Ravalli County Museum...................87 Ravalli Electric Co-op......................87 Real Deals.........................................52 Red Willow Antiques.........................28 REMLC Sportsman’s Lodging..........85 Riverside Cottage............................53 River Rising Bakery............................13 Robbins Hallmark..............................15 Rocky Mountain Bank......................45 Ron Stoker.........................................43 Rusty Blue’s Emporium............ 29 & 41 Sacajawea Center..........................46 Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce...................................64 Second Street Sushi..........................71 Selway Adventures..........................34 Serendipity Lane...............................41 Sleeping Child Farms........................46 Specialty Woodworks......................33 Spice of Life Eclectic Café..............83 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.............79 Stevensville Hotel..............................19 Stevensville Main Street Association...................................93 Stone Cottage..................................15 Stoneydale Press Publications.........53 Super 1 Foods....................................50 The Brooks.........................................63 The Darby..........................................39 The Edge...........................................65 The Frame Shop................................46 The Merc Fresh Market.....................14 The Tack Shack & Bos Saddlery.......28 Theresa’s Dolls & Gifts.......................89 Time after Time B&B..........................27 Townhouse Inn..................................33 Trendz by Trina..................................41 Triple W Equipment...........................99 Valley Bicycles..................................59 Valley Drug........................................96 Victor Heritage Museum..................90 Victorian Casino...............................34 Western Flies & Guides.....................30 Western Montana Clinic..................55 Wild Rose Emu Products...................71 Willows & Wool..................................21 Windsor Antiques..............................28 Yumedono Alpacas.........................91

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