Fair starts next week, get your tickets now

Hungry Horse News

The 2021 Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo opens Aug. 18 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell with a theme of “Montana’s Best Traditions.”  The fair will feature a performance by country star Chris Janson on Aug. 18, three nights of Ram PRCA Rodeo, and a Big Air Bash motorcycle stunt show. Tickets for the concert and all other grandstand events are now available for purchase at the fair office and online at www.nwmtfair.com.

“There is still time to reserve some great seats at these events, but tickets are selling quickly,” Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell said.

A limited number of discounted “Pay-One-Price” tickets for the carnival are on sale now at all Whitefish Credit Union branches, the fairgrounds office and the CHS store in Kalispell.

Purchased in advance, the tickets cost $25 each and can be exchanged at carnival ticket booths for a wristband that allows one person unlimited rides on most attractions for one day. The tickets can be used any one day of the carnival from Aug. 18-22 and are the lowest priced way to experience the rides. Fairgoers can purchase the tickets until 5 p.m. on Aug. 17 or while supplies last. Wristbands will also be available at all carnival ticket booths during the fair for $35 each.

Admission onto the fairgrounds is a separate fee at the gate and costs $8 for adults and teens, $5 for seniors ages 65 and over, and $5 for children ages six to 12. Children ages five and under are admitted free of charge. Fairgoers can save money by purchasing admission tickets until Aug. 20 or while supplies last at any Whitefish -Credit Union branch in Kalispell, Columbia Falls or Whitefish during normal banking hours. Advance admission tickets are $5 per person, regardless of age.

Janson is a platinum-selling recording artist, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning singer/songwriter whose hits include “Buy Me a Boat,” “Fix a Drink” and “Good Vibes.” Since the release of his debut album in 2013, the three-time Country Music Association nominee has earned the trophy for Academy of Country Music Award’s Video of the Year for “Drunk Girl,” which also earned the Song of the Year title at the 2018 MusicRow Awards. Janson’s chart-topping, triple-Platinum smash “Buy Me A Boat” was named iHeartRadio Music Awards Country Song of the Year. His current single, “Waitin’ On 5,” can now be heard on the airwaves.

General admission adult tickets for the Janson concert are $40, reserved seating tickets are $50, and party pit tickets are $55. General admission tickets for children ages six to 12 are $22, and children ages five and under are seated free of charge in the general admission area. All tickets purchased prior to arriving at the fair include admission to the grounds. The concert is sponsored by Kalispell Toyota & Northwest Toyota Dealers.

The Ram PRCA Rodeo runs Aug. 19-21 and will feature world-class athletes from Canada and throughout the United States aiming for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Events include bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Adult tickets range from $25 to $30, with seniors admitted for $10 to the general admission area on Aug. 19.  General admission tickets for children ages six to 12 are $10, and children ages five and are seated free of charge in the general admission area.

The fair culminates Aug. 22 with the Kalispell debut of Octane Addictions Big Air Bash, a motorcycle and snowmobile stunt show featuring six riders who have competed and medaled in the X Games. Adult tickets are $20, children ages six to 12 are admitted for $10, and children ages five and under are seated free of charge in the general admission area.

For more information about the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo or to purchase event tickets, visit www.nwmtfair.com or call (406) 758-5810.