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 63rd — carries a bunch of events that have both rural and city influences.

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

The fair begins Wednesday, Aug. 3, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 6.

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. 7, 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

Entry day for open class exhibits, in which anyone can submit entries in a variety of categories, is Wednesday, Aug. 3.

Hundreds of county residents bring their livestock, produce, flowers, artwork and other entries to be judged. Judging of open class events is Thursday, Aug. 4.

The 58th 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 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. 5 at 6 p.m. Other made-in-4-H crafts will be auctioned off at this time.

Commercial vendors will bring their latest technologies, products and items to share during an exhibit 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 p.m. the rodeo arena will be made into a muddy mess for the famous and always well-attended 24th annual Shields Valley FFA Pig Wrestling Contest.

Organizers expect some of the best teams from the region to compete.

And don’t forget to save room in your schedule for fair food. Vendors will bring a variety of tasty fare. In addition, there will be food contests a-plenty.

Plus, the 4-H kitchen will churn out delicious food, and “fair-type” munchables will be available in the main exhibit building.

Families can spend time playing on inflatables at the fair and watching family-oriented entertainment shows, including a roaming clown and strolling magician.

Admission to the fair is free for people of all ages.

The Park County Team Roping Classic will be held at the fairgrounds rodeo arena July 23 and 24.

A Professional Bull Riders event will be held at fairgrounds July 27.

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

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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 about 20 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 36th annual Old Settlers Days.

The two-day festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, and Sunday, Aug. 28, in the scenic Shields Valley town.

While the final schedule for the event-packed weekend is subject to change, following is a rough outline of activities:

On Saturday morning, a firefighter’s breakfast will be held, followed by a flea market, arts and crafts sale, car show, silent auction and a quilt show. Last year, about 45 arts and crafts vendors from all over Montana arrived in Clyde Park for the show. Also on Saturday, at 11 a.m., the Old Settlers parade draws a crowd with clowns, horse-drawn carts, floats and music.

In the afternoon, Clyde Park hosts the annual ice cream social as a way to cool off from the summer heat.

Several games will be offered 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 so they can show off their fancy footwork into the late hours of the night.

The Old Settlers Run will take place Sunday. The race will feature 2-mile and 6-mile runs. Walkers are also encouraged to join.

Also, on Sunday morning, a plastic duck race will be held on the Shields River. Sunday afternoon activities include a community potluck picnic, at which the past 36 years of parade grand marshals will be honored.

The famous Cowchip Bingo — sometimes called Horse Apple Bingo — event is planned for Sunday afternoon.

For more information about Old Settlers Days, call Lois at 222-7484.

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The City of Livingston is sponsoring the 12th annual Summerfest Along the Yellowstone River on July 15, 16 and 17 in Sacajawea Park.

The three-day outdoor event features live music and activities. Plus, there will be drinks and foods of all kinds from an assortment of local vendors.

Bands on this year’s schedule include local favorites the Fossils, Prairie Wind Jammers and Two Story Ranch. Other groups that will delight listeners include Confederate Railroad, the Clintons, the Beach Boys tribute band Kahuna Beach Party, the Max, Six Strings Down, Copper Mountain Band, the Johnny Cash tribute band Cold Hard Cash, Prairie Wind Jammers, and TJ Casey.

Once again, local community groups will host children’s activities and entertainment options ranging from face painting to crafts. Admission to the kids activities at the Civic Center is $2, which includes treats such as snow cones.

Cooks can compete in Sunday’s chili cook-off.

New this year is the Pantene Beautiful Lengths event in which participants can have their hair cut for donation to an organization that makes wigs for woman suffering from cancer-related hair loss.

One-day admission for adults to Summerfest is $10 on Friday, and $15 on Saturday or Sunday. 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 free.

Enjoy the sights, music, food and fun Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All proceeds help Livingston’s Recreation Department. For more information, call 224-3946 or go to www.livingstonmontana.org/visiting/summerfest.html.

For tickets, call 222-1142 or go to the 49er Diner, the Livingston Area Chamber of Commerce, the Best Western Yellowstone Inn, or the city offices in the City-County Complex and at the Utilities Department office at 330 Bennett St.

Credit cards may be used at the city offices only and will be charged an additional 2.5 percent.

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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, Aug. 5, when the musicians start arriving. The festivities will continue throughout Saturday and Sunday. But Saturday, Aug. 6 includes a potluck and barbecue at 2 p.m. And Saturday night is when the weekend’s fun hits its peak.

The music continues into the wee hours of the morning 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 and 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, 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 more than 35 years.

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

Last year more than 500 people, including spectators, 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 — from locals to national champions — 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.

The public is always invited to attend the Fiddlers Picnic.

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

Camping is available on site but spots are first come, first served, and no water is available — so bring your own supply.

For more information, call David and Candis Payne at (406) 442-5637 or visit www.fiddlerspicnic.blogspot.com.

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