Fair features rodeo, carnival, exhibits this weekend
Brenda Ahearn / Daily Inter Lake From left, Megan Pugh, 18, Bailey Lake, 13, and Megan’s mother Stacie Pugh playing a few hands of cards on Monday afternoon, August 15, at the Northwest Montana State Fair. The last hand ended just as Lake’s alarm went off telling her it was time to go water her sheep.
It’s all about “Montana’s Best” at the 2016 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo Aug. 17-21 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell.
This year’s fair features a performance by country music star Trace Adkins, three nights of PRCA Rodeo, a carnival, a demolition derby and thousands of exhibits.
“We chose ‘Montana’s Best!’ as this year’s theme because it really embodies the pride exhibited at the fair,” Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell said. “Young and old put their very best efforts on display, from the quilts on exhibit to the athletes competing in the rodeo.”
Fairgoers can catch a free ride on the Express Train that runs between the Northern Starts Arena and senior rest area west of the grandstand building.
Advance gate admission tickets can be purchased at all Whitefish Credit Union branches for $4 each, a savings of $3 or 40 percent from the adult admission price. For complete fair information call the fair office at 758-5810 or go online to www.nwmtfair.com.
Senior and Kids Day
Thursday, Aug. 18 is Senior Citizens and Kids Day at the fair.
Children 12 and under and seniors are admitted to the fairgrounds at no charge. Seniors can purchase $10 rodeo tickets in the Seniors Area for the Thursday rodeo.
Patriots’ Day
Friday, Aug. 19, is Patriots’ Day, and the first 550 veterans showing current or retired military identification will be admitted to the fairgrounds free of charge and given a ticket to that night’s rodeo and a $5 food voucher.
Demolition Derby
The fair will culminate with the 28th annual demolition derby on Sunday, Aug. 21, with drivers competing for cash prizes in all kinds of vehicles. It’s action-packed family fun.
Adult tickets are $20, children ages 6 to 12 are admitted for $8, and children ages five and under are admitted for free.
A new feature has been added to the Derby this year, the first annual Power Wheels Derby featuring children ages 5 to 10 competing to pop fellow drivers’ balloons.
Advance tickets for all events can be purchased at the fairgrounds office or online at www.nwmtfair.com.
Trace Adkins
Headlining this year’s Northwest Montana Fair concert entertainment is recording artist and former oil-rigger Trace Adkins, whose trademark baritone vocals have earned him a Grammy nomination and sold more than 10 million albums. He will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17 at the grandstand.
His hit list includes “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “Songs About Me,” “Every Light in the House,” “Hillbilly Bone” (Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins) and “Just Fishin’,” to name a few.
Gates open for Wednesday’s concert at 6 p.m.
The Redhead Express, a family group known for its exquisite harmonies and captivating sound, opens the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are $45 for the party pit, $40 for reserved, $32 for general admission ages 13 and up, $20 for children 6 to 12, and free in general admission seats for those under 5. Tickets increase $3 each on the day of the concert.
Contact the fair office at 406-758-5810 or go online at www.nwmtfair.com. The office accepts Visa and MasterCard.
Amusements
North Star Amusements and Paradise Amusements will light up the Midway at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo with a variety of rides and games, including an expanded area for young children and the G-Force and Vertigo rides for the extreme thrill-seeker.
“We’re very pleased to have the new Vertigo ride as part of this year’s carnival line-up,” Campbell said. “This type of ride hasn’t been in the Flathead Valley before and offers a great option for guests who want a bigger thrill.”
A limited number of discounted tickets for the carnival are on sale now at CHS Convenience Store, 120 W. Idaho in Kalispell, all seven Whitefish Credit Union branches and the fairgrounds office.
Beginning Aug. 17, fairgoers can purchase a “Pay One Price” carnival ride wristband for $30 at the carnival ticket booths inside the fairgrounds.
Gate admission into the fairgrounds is not included in the price of the carnival ticket. Advance gate admission tickets can be purchased at all Whitefish Credit Union branches for $4 each, a savings of $3 or 40 percent from the adult admission price.
Rodeo
The Ram PRCA Rodeo at the Northwest Montana Fair runs Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 18-20, and will feature world-class competitors from Canada and throughout the United States, aiming for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December.
Events include bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Kessler Championship Rodeo is bringing its best stock.
Adult tickets range from $20 to $24. General admission tickets for children ages 6 to 12 are $8, and children ages 5 and under are admitted for free in all general admission seats.
Rodeo-goers will be treated to the ever-popular Relay Races during halftime all three nights. Teams from across the West will compete for cash prizes in this fast-paced competition. The championship race will be held Saturday evening during halftime.
And back by popular demand is the Justin Mutton Bustin’ sheep riding contest for children ages 5 to 7 right before the rodeo starts. Rodeo time is 7:30 p.m.