Southwest Montana July Festival Roundup

It's time to get out the calendars and fill in the dates for the multitude of July festivals around Southwest Montana. Whether your pleasure is fireworks, rodeos, parades, delving back into Montana's history, appreciating arts and crafts, or savoring delicious festival food, there's something out there calling your name.

Two festivals beckon the weekend of July 3 and 4, one in Butte, the other in Ennis.

Butte is known for having Montana's most spectacular fireworks display and its Freedom Festival in downtown Butte will dazzle with a huge firework show on the evening of July 3, launched from the base of the Big 'M' above Montana Tech. The celebration continues the next day with the 4th of July Parade beginning at 10 AM, following the route from the Butte Civic Center down Harrison Avenue. To top off the festivities will be music and food throughout Butte during the festival. 1340 Harrison Ave., 406-497-6535, co.silverbow.mt.us.

The Historic Ennis Fourth of July 86th annual parade and rodeo, the Main Street Stampede, begins at 10 AM on July 4. This Western-themed parade, highlighted by horses, floats, marching bands, and classic cars, follows a route through historic downtown Ennis, drawing hundreds to Ennis' Main Street shopping district. The Ennis rodeo takes place both July 3 and 4 at 7 PM, with cowboys and cowgirls from the Northwest in rough stock and timed events, with final events and awards on July 4. Plenty of food and beer will be served up by local non-profit groups who use proceeds from money earned at the rodeo to help the community, as well as commercial vendors, entertainment, children's entertainment, and music. The Madison Valley Rural Fire Department will hold an Open House on July 4 from 7-10 AM, giving visitors a chance to meet firefighters, tour the station, preview the equipment and enjoy refreshments. Main Street in Ennis and Rodeo Grounds Main St., 406-682-4388, ennischamber.com. Rodeo tickets: $10 for children 6-12, $15 for adults, 5 and under free.

July 7 Deer Lodge hosts its annual Branding Event at Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS from 10 AM to 1 PM. The event draws attention to the critical importance of branding on the open range where cattle from different ranches grazed together with only a brand to identify ownership; it's still important on ranches today. Come to witness this longstanding ranching tradition of branding cattle, and watch the Open Range come to life as cowboys work cattle on horseback. Watch a short cattle drive as cows and calves are rounded up and herded into the corral demonstrating the teamwork between horses and riders as calves are cut from the cows, roped, and branded. There will be fun family activities and a number of visitor programs and children's activities that focus on branding and its history. 266 Warren Ln, 406-846-2070 ext. 226.

Lincoln holds its bike rally, Rally in the Valley, on July 8 and 9, hosted by Tenacious Dames RC. It's a fun-filled weekend full of busy activities, right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, including a fun run, live music, a bike show, bike wash, live auctions, and a concert put on by Montana's OverTime and Austin Martin. Friday registration begins at 2 p.m. in the community hall and again from 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday. 404 Main St., 406-564-7424, eventbrite.com.

Butte hosts the Montana Folk Festival from Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10, one of the largest free outdoor music festivals in the Northwest. It takes place in the largest U.S. National Historic Landmark District, Uptown Butte, nestled among historic headframes, reminders of Butte's underground copper mining history. Throughout the three days, there will be performances and demonstrations from more than 200 musicians, dancers, and craftspeople; six stages with continuous live performances, a dance pavilion, and a family area with a stage hosting performances for children of all ages. The festival has a diverse lineup that includes everything from blues to Cajun music and bluegrass. The original stage provides spectacular panoramic Butte views of the Northern Rockies and the historic Original Mineyard, a former underground copper mine. During the festival, the Montana Folklife Area will showcase the music and dance of nations populating the state, with performances and workshops focusing on a new theme every year that highlights Montana's heritage, this year "The contributions of immigrants to the heritage and traditions of Montana and the West." As well there will be two Marketplaces and a Festival Food Court with more than 30 booths offering opportunities for shopping and trying out various delicious foods. 400 N. Main St., 406-497-6464, montanafolkfestival.com.

The festivals make their way to Anaconda from July 15 to 17 for Art in Washoe Park, one of the best shows in Southwest Montana. Admission is free to enjoy more than 80 juried art and craft booths from across the U.S., ethnic foods, live professional entertainment, and kids activities for all three days; all taking place in a beautiful roomy park with a kids playground. Everyone is invited to come to enjoy the park, art, and hours of professional music. 900 W Pennsylvania St., 406-563-2422, discoveranaconda.com/events/art-in-Washoe-park.

Dillon's celebration of pioneer life, Bannack Days, takes place July 16 and 17. People will be demonstrating many pioneer skills, like crafting a quilt and making lace. Visitors can go gold panning, pose for old-time photos, ride on a horse-drawn wagon, learn about the infantry, and experience an 1860s gold camp up Hangman's Gulch while watching out for ruffians or a gunfight on Main St. Sunday morning there will be an old-time church service. Music will ring out throughout the festival with Old Time Dancing at the Meade Hotel. On both days, breakfast will be served at Hotel Meade beginning at 7 a.m. for a nominal fee; there will be a variety of lunch options in the food court as well as treats like ice cream, kettle corn, fry bread, and fresh lemonade; and the Visitor Center will be open with guided tours of the Masonic Lodge and the Mill. 721 Bannack Road, 406-834-3413, admission $5 per person, under 5 free.

July 22 and 23 Whitehall presents Frontier Days with this year's theme Whitehall's Wild West, a two-day, activity- and fun-filled weekend.

On both days there will be vendors at Legion Park and the Main Street Green, Jefferson Valley Fine Arts Show, and Jefferson Valley Museum Historical Tours. Two big events for Friday are the Wyldman Rodeo and a street dance featuring Aberdeen Alley. Saturday's the day for Whitehall's Wild West Parade, Kids Activities, Museum Gab Fest, Talent Show, Lip Synch Contest, and street dance, featuring King Friday. Legion St., 406-287-2260. See more on page 9.

Dillon History Days take place July 23 and 24, celebrating Dillon and Beaverhead County by having visitors and residents experience cultural and heritage activities, including tours of historic buildings and houses throughout the area, and living demonstrations based on the railroad, agriculture, mining, logging, and more. Activities include mechanical bull riding competition, old-fashioned baseball, horseshoe tournament, cowboy poetry, ranch rodeo, barbeque, and Dutch oven cook-offs. Visitors are invited to come dressed in vintage clothing to fit into the spirit of the weekend. 125 N Idaho St., 406-683-4245.

Helena's Last Chance Stampede Fair and rodeo close out the month from July 27 to 30. The highlight of summer in Helena, each day offers something new: Wednesday a stick horse rodeo and a country concert, Friday Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night, and Saturday a stampede parade in downtown Helena with stock provided by Helena's Kessler-Championship Rodeo with five-time PRCA Rodeo Announcer of the Year, Wayne Brooks, an appearance by Johnny Dudley, professional rodeo clown and barrel man and Bobby Kerr's American mustangs. The Northstar Carnival will be there with more than 17 carnival rides, games, and concessions; indoor Fair exhibit halls will present a variety of community displays, and local 4-H projects and barn exhibits will focus on Helena's agricultural roots. Saturday morning there'll be a live auction. In concert

Wednesday will be Randy Houser and Jimmie Allen, Friday Dylan Scott, and Saturday Hairball. Also providing free stage entertainment will be TYZEN Comedy Hypnotist, The Throw Zone, Trevor & Lorna Comedy Magic Show, Steve's Fun Balloons, and David Malmberg Ventriloquist. 98 W. Custer Ave., Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, 406-457-8516, lccfairgrounds.com › last-chance-stampede.