NW Montana Fair starts Tuesday
Concerts, PRCA rodeo, hundreds of
livestock, exhibits, food, carnival rides and fun — it’s time for
the Northwest Montana Fair.
The fair runs Tuesday, Aug. 16 through
Sunday, Aug. 21.
This year’s event begins with two
concerts next week.
The Newsboys perform on Tuesday in the
grandstands at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for reserved seating and
$20 for general admission. The Newsboys are a Christian pop rock
band. Their latest album “Born Again” was released last year and
sold 45,000 copies in its first week.
Little Big Town takes the stage on
Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28 for reserved seating and $23
for general admission. Little Big Town is a country music vocal
group. Their latest album “The Reason Why” has sold more than 1.5
million albums and highlights the group’s popular single “Little
White Church.”
A highlight of the fair the PRCA Rodeo
begins Thursday and continues through Saturday. Reserved seating is
$20, adult general admission is $15, children (ages 6-12) general
admission is $8. Children 5 and under are free.
In honor of Montana’s combat veterans,
the Northwest Montana Fair has designated Friday, Aug. 19 as
Wounded Warrior Night at the PRCA Rodeo. Veterans showing military
identification at the entrance gates will receive a free ticket to
that evening’s rodeo performance, fair entrance, plus a $10 food
voucher.
“We want to show our appreciation to
the veterans for the sacrifices they have made for our country’s
freedom,” said Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell.
The Indian Relay Races will be Thursday
through Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the grandstands.
The Inland Empire Carnival opens
Thursday at 5 p.m. and runs through Sunday. The carnival is open
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday beginning at noon, Saturday at 11 a.m.
and Sunday at noon. A limited number of discounted tickets for the
carnival are now on sale at the CHS Convenience Store, 120 W. Idaho
in Kalispell, and at the fair office. The advance tickets cost $20
each and are good for unlimited rides for one person for one day
plus $3 worth of food and game tokens. The tickets can be used any
day of the 2011 fair from Aug. 16 – Aug. 21. Fairgoers can purchase
the advance tickets until 4 p.m. on Aug. 16 or while supplies
last.
As part of “Family Fun Sunday” on Aug.
21, parents can purchase unlimited rides plus $3 worth of food and
game tokens for just $10 per person with a ticketed child.
Thursday is Senior Citizens Day at the
fair. Seniors 60 years and older are given a special ribbon at the
gate and may buy general admission tickets to the Thursday night
rodeo for $10 at the Senior Citizens Rest Area located at the
Northern Star Stage.
Fridays events begin with the Fair
Parade down Main Street in Kalispell beginning at 10 a.m.
Saturday horse races will take place in
the grandstands from 12:30 to 5 p.m. At 2 p.m. the Second Annual
Great American Pie Contest takes place in the Expo Building.
A few events will occur on both Friday
and Saturday. Pig wrestling begins at 3 p.m. in the CHS Arena.
Justin mutton bustin’ sheep riding contest begins at 7 p.m. in the
grandstands and the wild pony races will be held after the
rodeo.
Sunday horse races will be from 12:30
to 5 p.m. in the grandstands. The championship Indian Relay Race
will follow.
The demolition derby brings the fair to
an end Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for
children ages 6-12.
Gate admission to the fair is $5 for
ages 13-59. Children 12-years-old and under and those 60 and over
receive free admission everyday.
For more information and to purchase
tickets visit www.nwmtfair.com.