4 minute read
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
WE’RE BIG ON CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE, AND OUR EVENTS CALENDAR IS ALWAYS FULL. PLAN YOUR TRIP TO EXPERIENCE SOUTHEAST MONTANA FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS.
Some of the biggest draws to Southeast Montana are our annual events. The Little Bighorn Battle Reenactment, the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale and the Crow Fair are known all over the world, and below are more of this year’s highlights.
MAY BUCKING HORSE SALE, MILES CITY There are rodeos and then there are rodeos. In fact, many rodeos have their roots right here in Miles City, as the Bucking Horse Sale annually debuts some of the finest bucking stock seen across the continent.
406.234.2890, buckinghorsesale.com
JUNE BUZZARD DAY AT MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK, GLENDIVE Celebrates the return of the turkey vulture. All-ages events include the famous toughest 10k in Montana, 5k and kids 1-mile fun run, plus performances by American Indian drummers and dancers, archery and atlatl stations, bird walk, paleo-hike, bouncy houses, and food vendors.
406.377.6256, stateparks.mt.gov/makoshika
OUT HERE
LOCAL EVENTS
Local events give travelers a truly authentic taste of Montana communities. For unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else, be sure to look at event calendars while you’re in the area. Visit
southeastmontana.
com/events to see what’s happening.
Photos – Top: Little Bighorn Days in Hardin, Donnie Sexton; Bottom Left: Crow Fair, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Bottom Right: Mutton bustin’, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
LITTLE BIGHORN DAYS, HARDIN On June 25 thru 27, Hardin will commemorate the epic battle between the Plains Indians and the 7th Cavalry with Little Bighorn Days. These three days of festivities echo the sights and sounds of the past. Downtown Hardin events include a parade, demolition derby, car show, food vendors, craft vendors and a street dance with a local favorite, Exit 53, performing. Living History at the Big Horn County Historical Museum includes an 1870s infantry encampment, blacksmithing and interpretive talks. 406.665.1672,
southeastmontana.com/community/hardin
BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN REENACTMENT, CROW AGENCY Reenacted on the Crow Reservation by professional Cavalry reenactors and members of the American Indian tribes that played a part in the battle. Learn about the events that led up to the infamous conflict and watch how the battle played out.
littlebighornreenactment.com
JULY ROUNDUP INDEPENDENCE DAYS EXTRAVAGANZA (RIDE), ROUNDUP Three days of 4th of July festivities featuring community parades, special events for kids, two evenings of live music and a youth rodeo, plus a carnival and community rodeo in town. 406.323.4163,
roundupindependencedays.com
ANNUAL DINO SHINDIG, EKALAKA Celebrates dinosaurs with lectures by world-famous paleontologists, children’s activities, educational booths, demonstrations, a BBQ lunch, street dance and bat walk, plus a paleontologist-led fossil expedition and performances at Medicine Rocks State Park.
406.775.6886, cartercountymuseum.org
AUGUST CROW FAIR AND RODEO, CROW AGENCY One of the largest gatherings of the year for the Apsáalooke Nation and the largest modern-day American Indian encampment in the nation. The event includes a powwow each night at the center of the encampment as well as horse racing and Indian-relay horse races.
OCTOBER NILE STOCK SHOW AND RODEO, BILLINGS The NRA-sanctioned rodeo is one of the first opportunities for professional cowboys to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The Western Expo is also held in conjunction with the NILE, and showcases cowboy collectibles, clothing, Western art and farm/ ranch equipment. 406.256.2495, thenile.org
FARMERS MARKETS Many communities in Southeast Montana hold weekly farmers markets throughout the summer. Shop for locally grown food and goods made by talented local artists.
southeastmontana.com/things-to-do
COUNTY FAIRS There is no better showcase for everything that is great about rural communities than a county fair. Enjoy prize livestock, dancing, arts and crafts, and rodeos. The Montana Fair in Billings is the state’s largest and brings in big-name musicians, carnival rides, PRCA rodeo and more.
For a comprehensive list of Southeast Montana events, check out our events calendar at southeastmontana.com/events or Visit Southeast Montana’s events page on Facebook.
Photos – Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Andy Austin; Above Right: Rosebud County Fair, Nathan Satran Photography
TASTE OUR PLACE: MADE IN MONTANA
Get the full Southeast Montana experience. Buy authentic and local while you’re with us. From cafes, bakeries and coffee shops to breweries, distilleries and wineries, our small towns are full of local establishments featuring menus with locally-sourced ingredients. Look for the Taste our Place logo on storefronts when you’re out and about.
In addition, the artists and craftspeople who call Montana home are a great source for Made in Montana gifts and souvenirs. You’ll find their goods—jewelry, art, pottery and apparel—at local shops and farmers markets throughout the region. Look for the Made in Montana and the Native Made in Montana logos, and take home something authentic.
