BILLINGS
Alive After 5
June 5-Aug. 28
A local favorite, this popular weekly concert series has grown to include free, live performances from 5 to 9 p.m. every Thursday (and one Wednesday). Music lovers enjoy concerts at various downtown locations, where beverages and food are also available. 406-259-5454 or aliveafter5.com.
Moss Mansion Springfest
June 7
SpringFest is held on the parklike grounds of the Moss Mansion, 914 Division St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring arts and crafts vendors, food concessions, and live entertainment and a kid’s corner with carnival style games. 406-256-5100
People are also reading…
Montana Renaissance Festival
June 7-8
Take in the atmosphere of a 16th Century European Country Faire and its bustling marketplace on the grounds of ZooMontana. The event will feature full contact armored jousting tournaments. Story tellers, musicians, singers, dancers, and villagers will be on hand in period dress. Ken Haak, 406-256-6804 or montanarenfest.com
Festival of Cultures
June 8
Celebrate cultural diversity with participants from all over the region and neighboring states. From 10 am. to 5 p.m., ethnic entertainment, a student-created inspirational fine art show, interactive children’s activities and hooping fun for young adults are all on the lush lawn of Rocky Mountain College. Food is available, but attendees are welcome to bring picnic baskets. The festival is hosted by the Institute for Peace Studies, and admission is free. 406-657-1042 or rocky.edu.
Strawberry Festival
June 14
A pancake breakfast starts the day at 7:30 a.m., and downtown streets are lined with more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, food and fun at 8 a.m. Free, live entertainment on two stages and a 60-foot strawberry shortcake make for one fun, sweet day. 406-259-5454 or go to strawberryfun.com.
Heart & Sole Run
June 14
In its 35th year, this benefit race includes people of all ages and abilities. Starting at St. Vincent Healthcare, a 2-mile health walk and a 5K and 10K run end in Dehler Park. A free Active Life Festival with fun, music and food follows. Proceeds benefit the YMCA Healthy Community Campaign and Trails Development. 406-254-7426 or heartandsolerace.com.
Highland Games
June 21
This Scottish-Irish inspired event features athletics, piping, drumming, dancing on the grounds of ZooMontana. Donna Creek, 406-652-8100, ext. 213.
Symphony in the Park
June 29
This free outdoor community concert is a great way to take in the Billings Symphony Orchestra at Pioneer Park. Picnicking begins at 4 p.m., an instrument ‘petting zoo’ at 5 p.m. and the main concert at 7 p.m. 406-252-3610 or www.billingssymphony.org
Summerfair
July 12-13
Check out one of the largest juried arts and crafts festivals in the state at this fundraiser for the Yellowstone Art Museum. The event is at Veteran’s Park and admission is $3 for adults, free for those 17 and younger. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 406-256-6804, ext. 236 or artmuseum.org.
Big Sky State Games
July 18-20
This Olympic-style sports festival hosts more than 10,000 Montana and Wyoming residents. Opening Ceremonies include torch lighting by an Olympic athlete. More than 30 competitions take place around town throughout the weekend. 406-254-7426 or bigskygames.org.
Magic City Blues
Aug. 8-10
Montana’s largest urban music festival takes over two venues this year, Montana Avenue on Friday night and South Park on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s headliners include Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, Johnny Lang, Huey Lewis and the News and Matthew Curry. 406-670-2329 or magiccityblues.com
CROW AGENCY
Battle of the Little Bighorn Reenactment
June 27-29
At 1 p.m. each day, on the banks of the Little Bighorn River, the Real Bird family hosts a reenactment of “Custer’s Last Stand” from the American Indian point of view. Featuring local riders and reenactors from around the United States, the Battle of the Little Bighorn Reenactment began nearly 20 years ago as a way to impart more Native American history and culture, and takes place during Crow Native Days. Littlebighornreenactment.com.
Crow Fair
Aug. 8-14
The nation’s largest modern-day American Indian encampment features dancing, drumming, food, daily rodeos and racing, traditional bead work, buckskin and leather work, evening powwows, morning parades and at the close of the fair, the Dance-Through Camp. Daily grand entries and afternoon war bonnet dances are included in this authentic annual event. 406-638-3708.
FORSYTH
Charlie Daniels Band
July 19
The Charlie Daniels Band makes a stop at the Rosebud-Treasure County Fair while on their “Off the Grid” tour. The band takes the stage to perform songs from their new studio album, plus some all-time favorites. The fair runs from July 17-20. The concert is at 7 p.m., and tickets are available through the band’s Facebook page and at rosebudcountyfair.com.
GLENDIVE
Buzzard Day
June 13
The annual return of the turkey vulture to Eastern Montana is celebrated at Makoshika State Park. Entertainment and events for all age groups, including a pancake breakfast, Buzzard Burger lunch, nature walks, 5K and 10K runs, and festival games are part of the fun, and each year, new events are added. Admission is free. 406-377-6256 or stateparks.mt.gov/makoshika.
Cars in the Park
June 27-28
The Badlands Drifters Car Club hosts this annual two-day car show in Eyer Park, where more than 30 trophies are awarded. Other events include a scavenger hunt, fun run and a dance to ‘60s music at Moose Lodge. Badlandsdrifters.com.
HARDIN
Little Bighorn Days
June 25-29
The past comes alive every June in and around Hardin. Highlights of Little Bighorn Days include living history areas, arts and crafts fairs, a book fair, a 5K run/walk, a Lamborghini show, and the annual Custer’s Last Stand Reenactment of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Before and after the show, cavalrymen who’ve set up camp are on hand to talk about events and demonstrate skills such as bullet making and weapon cleaning. Parades, an 1876 Grand Ball and much more are offered. 406-665-1672 or thehardinchamber.org and custerslaststand.org.
HUNTLEY PROJECT
Threshing Bee
Aug. 16-17
The South Central Montana Antique Tractor and Machinery Association sponsors this weekend of steam and gas threshing with events for the whole family. A stationary engine display, gas tractor and steam engine plowing, hay baling, binding, a saw-mill, wood planer and shingle mill, working blacksmith shop, tractor pull competition, parade, arts, crafts, live music and concessions are daily at Huntley Project Museum of Irrigated Agriculture. Antiquetractorclub.org/2014threshingbee.
LAUREL
Fourth of July Celebration
More than 15,000 people gather at Thomson Park for activities including a pancake breakfast, the Chief Joseph Run, kiddie parade, grand parade, food and craft fair, live entertainment all day, and one of Montana’s largest fireworks displays at night. 406-628-8105 or laurelmontana.org.
POMPEYS PILLAR
Clark Days
Aug. 2-3
William Clark’s stop at Pompeys Pillar on July 25, 1806, is marked at Pompeys Pillar National Monument. Historical talks, nature walks, Native American cultural presentations, music, and food are part of the annual commemoration, where Saturday camping is allowed for just one night of the year. 406-939-5380 or pompeyspillar.org. n
