The annual Park County Fair gets better every year. While agriculture is still a large part of classic Montana fairs, this year’s Park County gathering — the 61st — carries a bunch of events that have both rural and city influences.

The fair begins Wednesday, Aug. 5, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 8.

It has something for everyone, every day and night, with dozens of 4-H, FFA and open class exhibits, a pig wrestling contest, a 4-H/FFA rodeo, food, arts, crafts, entertainment and much more.

Back at the fair this year is the popular Lou’s Petting Zoo for children.

Again this year is the Sundown Showdown, a cherry pit spitting contest and lots of live music.

On Sunday, Aug. 9, at 1 p.m., there will be a demolition derby.

Youngsters try to grab money off a rampaging calf during a Park County Fair event

For many Park County families, the fair is one of the biggest events of the year.

Entry day for open class and 4-H/FFA is Wednesday, Aug. 5. Judging of open class events is Thursday, Aug 6. Hundreds of county residents bring their livestock, produce, flowers, artwork and other entries to be judged.

The 56th annual 4-H and FFA rodeo is scheduled for the main arena Wednesday evening at 5 p.m.

Behind all the attractions are the 4-H, FFA and open class activities, and competition barns filled with the youths’ animals, which are shown and judged.

The fair will feature plenty of musical entertainment, including a Battle of the Bands event, the Balyeat Family Favorites, Louis Armentaro and Bill Williams.

The youngsters’ steers, lambs and pigs are sold to the highest bidder at the annual 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction, which will take place Friday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. Other made-in 4-H crafts will be auctioned off at this time.

Commercial vendors will bring their latest technologies on water softeners, home furnishing, computers, horse trailers, farm and ranch equipment and a host of other items to show at the main exhibit building and display areas around the fairgrounds.

A 4-H contestant gets ready to show her sheep at the fair.

Saturday evening at 7:30, Calcutta betting will start, and then at 8 the rodeo arena will be made into a muddy mess for the famous, and always well-attended, 22nd annual Shields Valley FFA Pig Wrestling Contest.

The Park County Team Roping Classic will be held at the fairgrounds rodeo arena July 25, 26 and 27.

The event, usually held on one night, has been expanded to cover parts of three days, and organizers are expecting the best teams from the region to compete.

The Wild West Carnival will be set up with eight to 10 rides and fun-filled inflatables for all four days.

And all along, the 4-H kitchen will churn out delicious food, and “fair-type” munchables will be available near the main exhibit building.

In addition, there will be food contests a-plenty.

Fair organizers have not yet determined what, if any, entrance fees will be for this year’s fair.

For more information, write to the Park County Fair, Box 146, Livingston MT 59047, or call (406) 222-4185.

back to top

When you start to feel that nip in the air and the summer sun starts to set a little earlier each day, then the annual Old Settlers Days festival must be near.

The small town of Clyde Park, a farming and ranching community 21 miles north of Livingston on U.S. Highway 89, hosts the celebration, which includes a parade, foot races, arts and crafts show, barbecue, dance, talent show, and fun and games for all.

This year marks the 34th annual Old Settlers Days.

The two-day festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, in the scenic Shields Valley town, which has a population of about 350.

While the final schedule for the event-packed weekend is not yet available, the following is a rough outline of activities:

On Saturday morning, a firefighter’s breakfast will be held at 7 a.m., followed by a flea market, arts and crafts sale, and a quilt show. Then, at 11 a.m., the Old Settlers parade draws a crowd with clowns, horse-drawn carts, floats and music.

At noon, the annual ice cream social is usually held at the town’s United Methodist Church, with concessions and lunch there and at the local Catholic Church.

Several games will be sponsored throughout the afternoon. For the adults and children, there will be a variety of activities, including a talent show.

Also on Saturday, a beef barbecue is usually held in the evening. To cap off the first day, there will be an evening dance for everyone. Usually held in the community center, the dance will run from about 9 p.m. to late into the night or early the next morning.

The Old Settlers Run will take place Sunday. The race will feature 2-mile and 6-mile runs. Walkers are also encouraged to join. Participants in the event must be registered by 8:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. start.

Also, some years on Sunday morning, a plastic duck race is held on the Shields River. Sunday at noon there will be a community potluck picnic, at which the parade grand marshals will be honored and prizes given away.

The famous Cowchip Bingo event is often held early Sunday afternoon.

For more information, call Teresa at 686-4035 or Lois at 222-7484.

back to top

The city of Livingston is sponsoring the 10th annual Summerfest Along the Yellowstone River on July 17, 18 and 19 in Sacajawea Park.

The three-day outdoor celebration of summer and Livingston’s beautiful park by the Yellowstone River features live music, activities and lots of great food, beverages, plus arts and crafts. Motor vehicle traffic in the park will be restricted to make it easier and safer for families to wander among events and vendors.

There will be cold drinks and foods of all kinds from an assortment of local vendors.

The live music will be as varied as the food, so whatever tunes you’re into — this is the place to be.

The headliner act scheduled for this year is The Drifters. Other bands on the festival’s schedule are The Shufflebums, Blackwater, The Max, Montana Blue, Backburner, Ringling 5, The Bob-A-Dips, The Fossils, Prairie Wind Jammers, Montana Tunesmith and The Marvelettes Revue, featuring Rhonda Franklin.

Children can explore their own creative talents throughout the weekend with craft activities.

The annual hoop shoot contest for kids always proves to be great fun for all ages.

There will also be a classic and old car show all three days.

One-day admission to Summerfest is $10 on Friday and $15 on Saturday and Sunday for adults. Daily admission for kids 9-12 years old is $5. Children 8 and under are free.

A three-day pass is $20 for adults. A three-day pass is $5 for children 9-12, making it the same price as one-day admission. A three-day pass for kids 8 and under is, of course, free.

Enjoy the sights, music and delicious food and fun Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

All proceeds from the event help support Livingston’s Recreation Department and the Civic Center.

For more information about Summerfest, call the Recreation Department at 222-8155 or visit www.livingstonsummerfest.com. For tickets, call 222-1142 or stop by the city utilities office at 330 Bennett St.

back to top

Grab a fiddle, add a banjo or two and a guitar, and you have all it takes to make some of the best music anywhere.

At the annual Fiddlers Picnic in Livingston, some of the best fiddlers, banjo pickers and guitar players from around the country gather early each August for three days and two nights of nonstop music and camping.

The Fiddlers Picnic is set to get under way Friday, July 31, when the musicians start arriving. The festivities will continue throughout Saturday and Sunday — but Saturday night, Aug. 1, is when the fun hits its peak.

The music continues on into the wee hours of the night until the last of the musicians are too tired to play. Then they get up again Sunday, pick up their instruments, and start all over.

The event tapers off Sunday afternoon as people pack up their guitars, fiddles, camping gear and head back home.

The music they play is called old-time fiddle music — a unique form of American music that has been around for generations. They also play bluegrass and country western. Sometimes, if the mood strikes them, someone will burst into song.

Musicians from all over Montana, around the county and even some from overseas show up to play.

The gathering, one of the largest get-togethers of fiddlers in the state, has been held annually for the past 34 years.

This summer, several hundred people are expected to attend the event, as musicians and their families travel from far and wide.

Last year, including spectators, more than 500 people made their way to the event to relax and enjoy the music.

“It’s straight playing — no competition — and no stress connected with it,” original organizer Doc Allison said.

Performances are impromptu and everyone shares stories and skills.

The musicians get together and play in dozens of small groups. The music from the different groups often mingles together, and when several are playing, it becomes a challenge to decide which group to listen to.

Often, those who can’t play instruments pick up a set of spoons, tap their feet, clap their hands or dance.

Many local musicians attend the event, along with state and regional champions. Sometimes, former national champion fiddle players participate, too.

The public is always invited to come to the Fiddlers Picnic.

The event will take place at 5230 U.S. Highway 89 South in Livingston across the highway from the Firehouse 5 Theatre and next to the Gallatin National Forest Service Livingston Ranger District.

For more information, call David and Candis Payne at (406) 442-5637 or 223-5049.

back to top