Sheep running through town, western duel re-enactments, gritty rock-n-roll, bucking broncos and hay bales masquerading as Betty Boop, clearly, it's festival season in Montana. Grab a throwing spear, pen a cowpoke ballad, pack your vintage Victorian duds and you're as ready as you'll ever be to celebrate alongside the rest of Montana.

Our Cowboy Roots

First, don cowboy boots. Then, hit Helena's gun-slinging, The Montana Wild West Fest (voted Best Western Festival in Montana by True West Magazine). Give into wrangler angst in Lewiston, at the 26th Annual Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous, or blow off steam at the Huntley Project Threshing Bee. Step back in time to the The Grand Victorian Ball for Peace 1865, or just step aside for Reed Point's 'Running of the Sheep' Sheep Drive.

EVENTS IN MONTANA'S HIGH PLAINS ›

Buzz

What the Hay: Montana Bale Trail was named the Tourist Event of the Year in 2003.

Local Scoop

Joan S. recommends getting caught up in Helmville's authentic small-town rodeo.

Native American Heritage

Keep those cowboy boots on. The nation's largest modern-day Native American encampment includes a rodeo. Marvel at a huge tepee encampment at Crow Fair and Rodeo or get in on the 8,000-year-old thrill of Atlatl (ancient spear throwing) at the First Peoples Buffalo Jump Atlatl Competition. If you've never partaken in a buffalo feast after taking in Native American dancing and drumming, swing by Chief Plenty Coups Day of Honor or Poplar Indian Days.

DISCOVER THE INDIAN NATIONS ›

Beats, Brews and Bales

Boots still on? Good. Start scooting them at the Magic City Blues - Montana's Urban Music Festival in Billings, River City Roots Fest in Missoula, and Boulder Music and Arts Festival in Three Forks. Or, point them towards Fishtail's Stillwater Art and Wine Festival. If you're more into beer, there's Whitefish's SNOW Bus Brewfest, and if you're more into bales, check out the Montana Bale Trail, a collection of (yes, really) hay bale sculptures.

FOLLOW THE MONTANA BREWERY TRAIL ›

Seriously, this is just the tip of the festival iceberg chili-cook-offs, bluegrass jams, plastic duck races, scarecrow-making-festivals plus a slew of rodeos, county fairs, and powwows await you. And your boots.

FIND EVEN MORE MONTANA EVENTS ›