Don your red, white & blue for a fun-filled Fourth!
Well well well, look what’s already returned to Southwest Montana — the Fourth of July! And though it doesn’t bookend a weekend this year, there are still plenty of area activities to keep the festivities rolling on what would otherwise be a typical Tuesday. Because fun for the Fourth isn’t necessarily limited to Independence Day, The BoZone has compiled some of the area’s most exciting events you and the whole family can enjoy!
Get the day started with some endorphins! Reach Inc. hosts their 10th annual Race for Independence on July 4th at 8am. The race features a 1K, 5K, and 10K following a gorgeous course, mostly on trails, and raises funds to help adults with developmental disabilities in our community to live as independently as possible. The fun begins and ends at the Reach Inc. Work Center. Register at Reach Inc. packet pick-up on July 3rd from 8am–8pm, or online at www.reachinc.org until 5pm on July 2nd. Call (406) 587-1271 for more info.
Following the race, cool off with something sweet! Museum of the Rockies presents an Ice Cream Social at the Living History Farm from 2–4pm. Join for the old-fashioned event and enjoy cones of delicious ice cream, live music, historical crafts, and traditional Fourth of July festivities. This afternoon is free and open to the public.
The Livingston Depot’s 30th annual Festival of the Arts will be held July 2nd and 3rd from 10am–6pm, and July 4th from 10am–5pm. Fine artists and crafters will present their works including oil paintings, steampunk wares, fine pottery, blacksmithing, mud shirts, a variety of woodcrafts, decorative repurposed antiques, stained glass, vintage curios, alpaca woolens, photography, herbal soaps, gifts, attractive jewelry, natural kids’ toys, and more.
A central hallmark of the event each year is the Depot Foundation’s homemade pie booth with a tasty range of offerings. The event also features a variety of food vendors, and visitors can likewise enjoy the adjacent Depot Museum’s historic rail and Yellowstone exhibits, including “A Railroad Runs Through It.” The Festival of the Arts is a great chance to stroll in the fresh air and enjoy food, pies, art, and company. Come see one of the central attractions during Livingston’s famous Fourth of July weekend.
The other attraction, the Livingston Roundup Rodeo, will also be held July 2nd–4th with the main event set for 8pm each evening. Top hands compete in saddle bronc, bareback, team roping, tie down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, and barrel racing. Don’t miss the fireworks display following rodeo events on the Fourth! To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.livingstonroundup.com.
The Ennis 4th of July Rodeo will be held July 3rd at 8pm, and July 4th at 6pm. Enjoy two days of NRA sanctioned rodeo featuring the top cowboys and cowgirls from the northwest in both rough stock and timed events. The annual parade begins at 10am on July 4th. One of the Madison Valley’s most celebrated events, the traditional parade follows a route through historic Downtown Ennis. Horses, floats, marching bands, and classic cars highlight the yearly gathering, drawing crowds in the hundreds to the Main Street shopping district. Visit www.ennischamber.com for rodeo ticketing information.
West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce will present its outdoor series Music in the Park on July 4th in Pioneer Park featuring the music of local and regional musicians, followed by headliners Slamabama. The energetic quartet brings an incomparable stage presence that can only be described as a uniquely perfect blend of Sugarland and Van Halen. The music will begin following the Fourth of July Parade, set to commence at 5:30pm. A spectacular fireworks display will end this day of celebration. Bring your blankets, chairs, and the whole family to enjoy the live entertainment. Come soak up the sound and take in a beautiful Montana sunset, as well! Events are free and open to the public.
The Arts Council of Big Sky’s Music in the Mountains free summer concert series continues on July 4th at Center Stage in Town Center Park with “Fireworks & Funk.” The evening begins with a performance by The Tiny Band at 7pm. With a lineup of local luminaries, the Bozeman-based group’s repertoire is a blend of Motown, rock, soul, and pop standards that keep the dance floor pulsing. The Tiny Band brings big vocals, high energy, and anything but a tiny sound. The concert will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display around 10:15pm.
Finally, the Bozeman Symphony and Gallatin Empire Lions Club present the Festival of the Fourth, the decades-long mainstay at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds held every July 4th. Under the direction of Maestro Matthew Savery, the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra will perform an inspirational program of patriotic and popular music at 9pm, leading into the traditional fireworks display at 10:30pm. The concert and fireworks are FREE and open to the public.
Further information about these Fourth of July and other upcoming events can be found throughout this issue of The BoZone. •
