Outdoor happenings abound with summer ‘22 underway
With plenty of welcome signs, the summer season will officially kick off June 21st and the people of Gallatin Valley couldn’t be more ready. The days of spring snow that have kept most begrudgingly indoors will soon end (fingers-crossed) and allow us to step out into the sun. Ready your barbecues, hiking boots and river gear for what’s sure to be a gorgeous, albeit too-short season under the Big Sky. There’s also numerous outdoor events for those itching to gather with friends and family. Here’s a look at some popular returning events to add to the calendar.
The summer months see the return of farmers’ market season to Southwest Montana. Beginning June 1 and subsequent Wednesdays, head to Miles Park Band Shell for the Livingston Farmers Market from 4:30–7:30, or up to the Big Sky Farmers Market in Town Center from 5–8pm. Saturday, June 18th brings the weekly Gallatin Valley Farmers’ Market back to the Fairgrounds from 9am–noon. Check out the Bozeman Farmers’ Market on June 21st – and subsequent Tuesdays – from 5–8pm in Lindley Park. Late this month, the Belgrade Community Market returns to Lewis & Clark Park with the first Thursday event set for June 30th from 4–7pm. Find garden-fresh produce, fantastic food, novelty items, and more at your choice market.
Take in an evening of local creativity with monthly Art Walks in Bozeman and Livingston. Peruse the walls of downtown galleries and enjoy a nice Montana summer evening strolling to the next venue. These are great occasions to meet up with friends and maybe go home with a new treasure. Bozeman’s first walk is June 10th with additional events on the second Friday from 6–8pm through September. Livingston’s opening walk is set for June 24th from 5:30–8:30pm, recurring on the fourth Friday thru Sept.
Let your hair down and groove to the music al fresco with weekly series in Livingston, Big Sky and Bozeman. The Shane’s Summer Outdoor Concert Series is held Thursday evenings at 5pm, featuring the talents of Open Range, Dublin Gulch, Little Jane & the Pistol Whips and Swamp Dawg in the coming weeks. Kicking off Thursday, June 23rd is the Arts Council’s Music in the Mountains at Center Stage in Len Hill Park. Satsang will be joined by Cole & the Thornes for the 6:30pm show. Fireside Collective with local help by Ian Thomas & Band of Drifters are set for the following week, and The Tiny Band will be back for the Fourth. Voted ‘Best Local Event,’ Music on Main returns next month with Wildermiss on July 7th and The Waiting the following Thursday. All concerts free to attend with food and drink available for purchase. Visit event websites for full list of performers and more details.
Snag tickets to a show for the Pine Creek Lodge Summer Concert Series, unfolding at one of the area’s most popular outdoor venues. The Paradise Valley stage will bring the likes of Widespread Panic’s Jojo Hermann, Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root, The Last Revel, Scott Pemberton, Leftover Salmon and The Wood Brothers – all in the opening month of summer! Ticket prices vary for each show. Cabin reservations available. Visit Pine Creek’s website for full calendar and advance purchase.
Laughing required for admission to the beloved Brewery Follies at Virginia City’s historic H. S. Gilbert Brewery. The variety show features celebrity impersonations, sketch comedy and live music to enjoy with a pint of your favorite Montana microbrew. Now showing Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm, with two 4pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. The comedy cabaret’s full season begins June 17th. Make your reservation today!
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is back on the road for another summer season featuring King Lear and Twelfth Night. The respective productions are back at the MSU Grove Wednesday through Saturday, June 15th–18th and 22nd–25th at 8pm each night. As always, these performances are free and open to the public. See host website for complete list of regional stops.
Take part in the ultimate celebration of Montana craft beer with the return of the Tap into Montana Brew Fest to Livingston. The showcase of the Treasure State’s best suds unfolds Saturday, June 25th from 3–8pm in Miles Park Bandshell along the Yellowstone. Tickets are on sale now with VIP admission available, granting early access to the brews. Get ready for an afternoon of brews, local eats and live music. Shuttle service available.
The arrival of sunny skies and longer days mark the start of festival season around the country, and we’ve got a trio of weekend barn-burners of our own. Coming up next is the Red Ants Pants Music Festival just outside of White Sulphur Springs. Running from July 28th–31st, this year’s event will feature headline performances by Grace Potter, JJ Grey and Corb Lund, among others, plus a hearty batch of side-stage performers. Rockin’ the Rivers follows with returning dates of August 11th–13th at The Bridge near Three Forks. Montana’s favorite rockfest will this year feature Don Felder of the Eagles, Jefferson Starship, Extreme, Buckcherry and Daughtry, with many other national and local acts on the roster. Also at The Bridge, Country Jam is set for August 18th–20th. All the country western fans out there can look forward to headliners Hardy, Chris Janson and Lee Brice, and plenty more. Festival tickets and camping passes available now for each summer showcase. See event websites for full performance slate and additional information.
Discounted wristbands are on sale now for the Sweet Pea Festival, returning to Lindley Park Friday to Sunday, August 5th–7th. The three-day festival of the arts brings makers from all around to one place, features outdoor concerts in the bowl, and is a great excuse to sample local eats. Chalk on the Walk, Bite of Bozeman and the annual parade are all back this summer as well.
Also returning during the first weekend of August is the Summer SLAM Festival, set for August 6th and 7th in Bogert Park. Featuring live music, dance and theater performances, an artists’ market, artist demonstrations, family activities, culinary delights and a Montana libations garden, this family friendly event is free to attend.
Log on to www.BoZone.com or flip through the new issue to discover plenty more local happenings to celebrate the return of another glorious Montana summer.
And don’t forget to make your picks in the 21st annual Best of Bozeman community survey – voting opens July 1st! •
