Montana Northwest Vacation Event Activities Calendar

Here you will find Montana Northwest Vacation activities and events. If you have an event that you would like to list, please email our Webmaster so that we can up-date our calendar to include your event.

Upcoming Events

January 2010 Events

• 1st ~ 11:00am Start
   ~ New Year's Day Run/Walk 5K and 2K ~ Thompson Falls, Race begins at Mighty Fine T's/Sherpa Cabins, east of town. It’s time to launch into your New Year’s Resolution and hit the ground running.
  $13 entry fee includes long sleeved shirt, $10 no shirt, $15 race day entry fee. Proceeds benefit Clark Fork Valley Running Club and Scholarship Fund.
  Contact: Sarah Naegeli, 827-4887 or tfl4887@blackfoot.net

February Events

• 2nd ~ Performance at 7:00pm
   ~ Montana Repertory Theater Outreach presents To Kill A Mockingbird ~ This classic story comes to life for communities across Montana and the US.
  Sponsored by the Sanders County Art Council
  ~ Contact: Jean Morrison (406) 826-3600
• 14th ~ Registration begins at 8am (Pre-registration February 13 at 7:00pm)
   ~ The 17th Annual Poker Run for the Cabinet Ridge Riders.
  For more information click here
• 19th ~ 8:00am
   ~ Cabinet Ridge Riders Poker Run ~ 17th annual event raises funds for worthy causes. The Poker Run trail is groomed and hot dogs, chili and soft drinks will be provided at the halfway point.
  Contact: 406-827-9305
  

April Events

• 15th ~ May 15th
   ~ Spring Bear Hunting
• 10th ~  May 9th
   ~ Turkey Season
• 17th ~ 19th
   ~ Thompson Falls Beautification Days ~ Making the Thompson Falls area sparkle each spring is a community wide effort that receives community wide support. The multi-faceted event focuses on helping those people in the community who might have difficulty cleaning up their yards after winter. The event also features classes taught by the MSU Ext. agent, cleaning up areas along Main Street, the nominations for the Thumbs Up Awards, special project development such at the Mule Pasture Trail, and an overall effort to wipe out the drab of winter and spruce up our community.
  Contact: Rita (406) 827- 1985 Email: clarkrita@blackfoot.net
• 24th ~ 26th ~ 10:00am ~ 4:00pm
   ~ Flatiron Quilt Show ~ Thompson Falls High school Gymnasium ~ If you are a quilting enthusiast this is the event for you! One of the largest juried quilt shows in northwest Montana, the three day event features over 200 entries, plus a merchant mall where you will discover the newest sewing machines, quilt supplies, fabrics and notions. Attendees can enter to win the raffled quilt and enjoy the tearoom with hot and cold beverages and homemade cookies.
  Sponsored by The Flatiron Quilting Guild.
  Contact: (406) 827-3666 Email: flatiron@blackfoot.net

May Events

• 10th ~ September 7 ~ 12:00pm ~ 4:00pm daily
   ~ Old Jail Museum Season Opens ~ Madison Street and Maiden Lane. Description: 2009 Museum theme is “A Stitch In Time”.
  Contact: Sanders County Historical Society, PO Box 774, Thompson Falls, MT 59873 (406) 827-9851 or (406) 827-4002

Summer

June Events

• 13th ~ Always the 2nd Sat of June
   ~ Cabinet Ridge Riders ATV Rally ~ Lakeside Resort and Motel, Trout Creek, Montana
  Sponsored by the Cabinet Ridge Riders, Lakeside Motel and Resort, Wayside Bar.
  Contact: John Harris (406) 827-4458 or Jim Morkert (406) 827-9305 tfl9442@blackfoot.net
• 27th ~ September 26th ~ 9am ~ 1pm
   ~ Thompson Falls Market ~ West Lot of the Falls Motel, Lincoln St. and Maiden Lane, Thompson Falls, MT. ~ In a time where produce is shipped to Montana from as far away as China and products are made on the other side of the world, the Thompson Falls Market is a celebration of locally grown and hand crafted products. Discover how delicious regionally grown produce is! Find jewelry, exceptional baked good, perfectly sweet jams and jellies, and more.
  Contact: Katrina Wright, 406-827-3559 or Manager@ThompsonFallsLodging.com
• 26th and 27th
   ~ Sanders County Yard Sale Event ~ Multiple sales along Highway 200, 28 and 56 in Sanders County, MT ~ Do you love a good yard sale? Is another man’s trash potentially your treasure! Do you spend weekends shopping the flea market or the local thrift store? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then mark your calendar today for the Sanders County Yard Sale-ing Event! Highways 200, 28 and 56 offer you two days packed full of other’s people stuff for you to explore.
  Contact: Bruce and Diane Laube (406) 827-0404
• 27th
   ~ Rose and Perennial Garden Party ~ Old Jail House Museum, Thompson Falls, MT
  Admission: FREE ~ Rose and Perennial Garden Party is a joint project of the Thompson Falls Historic Society and the Thompson Falls Garden Club. Entries are brought to the Old Jail Museum in the morning of the Rose and Perennial Garden Party. There are three categories to enter: Roses, Other Garden Perennials and Veggie Creations (children 12 and under). The Valley String group will be there for your enjoyment.
  Contact: (406) 827-9851 or rosewest@blackfoot.net

July Events

• 4th ~ Parade 10:00am and Events until 4:00pm
   ~ David Thompson Days ~ A Community Rendezvous and 4th of July Celebration ~ Rose Garden and Main Street, Thompson Falls, MT ~ David Thompson Days ~ A Community Rendezvous features a 4th of July Main Street parade, a living history camp at the Rose Garden that showcases the life and times of trapper and explorer David Thompson, vendors and community!
  Contact: Melissa, Chamber Manager (406) 827-4930 or TFChamber@ThompsonFallsChamber.com
• 18th ~ 19th ~ Friday 5:00pm, Saturday registration opens at 9:00am, event 10:00am ~ 4:00pm
   ~ Rally Run and Show and Shine ~ Ainsworth Field, Thompson Falls ~ One of the best Rod and Classic Automobile Events in Northwestern Montana. Rally Run on Friday and the Show and Shine car show on Saturday - bring your cool car or come check them out at Ainsworth Field. Enjoy poker run, poker walk, 50/50 raffle.
  Contact: Doug and Karen Grimm (406) 827-4720 or Marilyn Vaught (406) 827-4485
• 19th ~ 6:00pm ~ 9:00pm
   ~ Music on the River’s Bend ~ River’s Bend Golf Course, Thompson Falls ~ Fee: $20.00 per car load. Live music just sounds better on the bend of the Clark Fork River. Live music, concessions and beverages at the most majestic venue in NW Montana.
  Sponsored by the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce, Falls Motel, Subway, Conoco Feed and Fuel, Whitepine Entertainment, River’s Bend Golf Course.
  Contact: Melissa (406) 827-4390 tfchamber@thompsonfallschamber.com

August Events

• 7th at 7:00pm and August 8th at 10:00am
   ~ Sanders County Relay for Life ~ Thompson Falls High School Track ~ American Cancer Society Relay for Life, a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at the high school and take turns running or walking the track. Since cancer never sleeps, this relay is an overnight event.
  Contact: Tracey, Relay Chair (406) 827-4009 or sc.relay4life@yahoo.com
  ~ To volunteer: Jackie (406) 827-4949 fishingnannie@yahoo.com
  
• 14th ~ 16th ~ 5:00pm on Friday through 4:00pm Sunday
  30th Annual Huckleberry Festival ~ Annually held the second week of August. (2008 poster)A Celebration of the Huckleberry! A free, family event, it includes live entertainment of many kinds, a huckleberry pancake breakfast, run/walk for fun, parade, carnival, children's games, arts and crafts booths, exhibits, huckleberry dessert contest, displays and a family dance under the stars. Come experience down home fun!
  Contact: Liz Citrino (406) 827-5077 or (406) 827-3301

Fall Events

September Events

• 1st ~ 10am
   ~ Sanders County Fair, Plains ~ Open Class entries accepted for agriculture, baked goods, floricultures, horticulture. Noon to 8pm - Livestock, poultry and rabbits accepted, 8pm Buildings close.
• 2nd ~ 10am Close 8pm
  ~ Judging for Open Class entries for above mentioned items. 8pm Arena Cross Motorcycle Event.
• 3rd ~ 9am
  ~ Open Class Horse Show, Horse Arena, buildings open 10am, PRCA Rodeo, Main Arena.
• 4th ~ 10am
   ~ Sanders County Fair two-person scramble golf tournament, Pains Golf Course, buildings open, 11am ~ Fair Parade, downtown Plain. 2pm ~ Wild West Show, main arena, 6pm ~ 4-H Awards Presentation (Pavilion), 8pm ~ PRCA Rodeo, Main Arena.
• 5th ~ 8:30am
   ~ Church services, Main Arena, River Road Runs, 9am ~ Fun Run/Walk, 10am ~ 4-H market stock sale (4-H Arena), buildings open, 1pm ~ Bull-A-Rama, Main Arena, 6pm ~ Demolition Derby, Main Arena, 8pm ~ buildings close.
  
• 11th
   ~ David Thompson Appreciation Day and Honoring America, Thompson Falls. All day long concert to reinforce and American spirit with music from local bands and new musicians. Old Bank parking lot.
  Food and other vendors: (406)827-4995
• 12th ~ 10:00am ~ 2:00pm
   ~ Trout Creek Cool Summer Nights Car Show ~ Friday, Sept. 11th – evening, Saturday, Sept 12th 8:00am ~ 10:00am ~ $15 1st entry, $10 each additional entry. Show off your cool car, truck or motorcycle and will door prizes, trophies and bragging rights. Dance to the “oldies’ at the Naughty Pine Saloon on Saturday night.
  Contact: John Harris at (406) 827-4458 or check out more details at Lakeside Motel and Resort

October Events

• 1st ~ 31st
   ~ Charlie Brown’s Pumpkin Patch ~ Junior High School Gymnasium
  ~ Admission: Family of four $8, Individuals $3, 12 and younger $2.
  Excitement and fun is to be had at the annual Halloween celebration where kids find tons of candy, activities, great costumes and prizes for special competitions. Enjoy such activities as apple on the stick, pop the balloon, hula-hooping, Simon says and musical chairs.
  Sponsored by the First Security Bank and Valley Banks of Thompson Falls.
  Contact: (406) 827-7006
• 2nd or 9th
   ~ Harvest Gala - Fundraiser for Domestic Violence Awareness  ~ Live and silent auction, dance with live music.
  Contact: (406)827-3960 for more information or how you can donate to this worthy cause.
• 8th ~ 10th
   ~ Pioneer Days, Noxon ~ Demonstrations of pioneer skills, food booths, handcrafted items, rendezvous type of week. $10 per booth. Noxon Bicentennial Park.
  Vendors wanted. Contact: (406)847-2735(days) or 2765(eves) or 2624.
• 9th ~ 10th
   ~ Fly-In Hot Springs Airport ~ You might go to other fly-ins but don't miss this one. Last year, 40 aircraft flew in from Eastern Montana, Washington and Idaho. As Part of the Experimental Aircraft Assn.'s "Young Eagle" Program, 54 kids got to fly for the first time.
  Contact: (406)741-5401
• 10th ~ 11th and 17th ~ 18th
   ~ Heron Players, local drama group known for their humorous, interactive dinner/theaters, performances two middle weekends in October.
  Dinner Theater ~ $15, adults $6/$3 children.
  Contact: (406)847-2347.
• 17th ~ 7 pm
   ~ Vigilante Players - Plains High School.
  Admission: $8.
• 23rd-24th
   ~ Annual Fall Colors Excursion ~ a one day round trip excursion to Plains. Passengers de-board in Plains for a couple of hours, lunch stop and local crafts fair next to train.
  (800)519-7245.

November Events

• 6th ~ 9:30am ~ 4pm
   ~ Christmas Bazaar - Noxon School - Arts and Crafts Sale.
   Contact: Larry (406)847-2442
• 13th
   ~ Christmas Bazaar - Trout Creek School.
  Contact: Mary (406)827-3629
• 21st ~ 6pm
  ~ Christmas Bazaar - Annual Lighting ceremony, Sanders County Fairgrounds, Plains.
• 23rd ~ Jan. 1st ~ 6:00pm
   ~ Christmas Lighting Extravaganza ~ The lighting ceremony begins. The Christmas Lighting Display will be available for viewing nightly from dusk to 9:00pm ~ through January 1. Sanders County Fairgrounds, Plains, MT ~ The Sanders County Fairgrounds are bedecked with all types of Christmas lights, life-size figurines and a nativity scene. Come join the festivities and get into the Christmas spirit when we turn on the lights November 27th. Free chilidogs and hot chocolate for those brave enough to face the evening’s chill, plus fireworks top off the evening.
  Sponsored by the Plains-Paradise Chamber of Commerce, Sanders County Fairgrounds
  Contact: Sanders County Fairgrounds
• 26th - Dec. 25th ~ 6 ~ 8pm
   ~ Christmas Bazaar - Plains Lions Club will play Santa Claus Friday and Saturday nights.
• 30th ~ Dec. 5th ~ During regular library hours (11am ~ 5pm Mon., 11am ~ 6pm Tues., closed Wednesdays, 11am ~ 7pm Thurs., 11am ~ 5pm Fri., and 11am ~ 2pm Sat.). Bidding closes at 6pm on December 5th.
   ~ Friends of the Library Silent Auction ~ The Thompson Falls Public Library, 911 Main Street in downtown Thompson Falls. The Event is an auction like no other! Over 100 items to bid on including an array of gift baskets and gift items including framed artwork by local artists, works by skilled craftspeople, and local products and services, a children's auction, a handmade quilt raffle and a dinner raffle. Details: View all auction items during library hours and write your bid on the bid sheet for the item you want. Check back often to make sure you haven't been outbid! You can bid as many times as you want, on as many items as you desire. Sealed bids are also accepted any time, but only sealed bids are accepted in the last 15 minutes of bidding. Items are awarded to the highest bidder at the close of the auction on Saturday, December 6th. It's easy and fun, and the baskets and items are wonderful. The children's auction is affordable for kids (a child must be present to bid), and the quilt raffle ($10 per ticket) and turkey dinner raffle ($5 per ticket) offer something for everyone.
  Sponsored by The Friends of the Library, Thompson Falls Public Library.
  Info and how to donate: Karen Harlan at (406) 827-1997 or bring items to the library.

Winter Events

December Events

• 1st - Jan 1st
   ~ Christmas Lighting extravaganza Sanders County Fair Grounds, Plains, Montana
• 5th ~ 9:30am ~ 4pm
   ~ Christmas Bazaar - Hand made arts and crafts, Clark Fork Valley Hospital, Plains, in the long term care room.
• 9th ~ 5pm ~ Dinner provided by the Men’s Prayer Group and Santa ~ 6:30pm Parade Begins
   ~ Christmas on Main Street Parade and Holiday festival, Thompson Falls, Montana. Top off the holiday celebration with a chili dinner at Christmas Square, visit with Santa Claus and enjoy the Kissing Ball Auction. The Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce presents a lighted holiday parade down Main Street starting at 6:30PM. Sponsored by the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce, Inland Empire Builders/Ace Hardware, Falls Motel, First Security Bank.
  Contact: Colene Marich for Parade Entry at First Security Bank, Thompson Falls 827-7000.
• 4th - 5th
   ~ Annual Christmas Train Excursion - one day round trips from Missoula to Paradise with a special stop to board Santa Claus who will visit with passengers throughout the day.
  Montana Rockies Rail Tours ~ 1-800-519-7245
• 5th ~ Voting and Viewing ~ 9th ~ Winners Announced ~ 12:00pm-7:00pm
    ~ 12th Annual Gingerbread Contest ~ Old Jail Museum on the corner of Maiden Lane and Madison Street. Come experience a "The Night Before Christmas" in gingerbread. Whether you are an old hat at building gingerbread houses or a novice, this event is for you to simply have a little sweet fun. Winners are determined by popular vote. Competition categories include: The Auntie A Award, Individual/Family, Business and Student/Youth Group. The only rules of the event are 1. Everything on your creation must be edible 2) It must fit through the door. The Gingerbread Contest is the historical society's "Visual Christmas Card" to the community, their way of saying Thank You for all of the support throughout the year. Winners of each category receive a $50 Savings Bond.
  Sponsored by The Sanders County Historical Society, Valley Bank, First Security Bank.
  Contact: Chairman Helen Meadows 827-3578 or email: meadows168@montana.com
• 5th ~ 10am ~ 4pm
   ~ 30th Annual Sanders County Christmas Bazaar Thompson Falls ~ Hand made arts and crafts ~ Thompson Falls High School ~ The focus of this holiday event has been to provide the wide array of local artists and craftsmen a showcase while raising money for a local charity. Now in its 30th year, that focus stays the same. Visitors to the Sanders County Craft Bazaar will be delighted to find one of a kind crafts by the areas highly skilled crafters. Though there are 54 booths at the bazaar, it hosts over 100 artists ~ working in different mediums from wood, metal, glass, crochet to paper and more. Their goal? To help you fill your stockings and complete your Christmas list.
  Vendor Information: Ginny Dyer Founder/Director ~ gdyer@blackfoot.net
  PO Box 835, Thompson Falls, MT 59873
• 11th - 12th
   ~ Sandpoint Idaho Christmas Train Excursion to Thompson Falls and return, with a couple of hours to stop and shop in Thompson Falls.
  Montana Rockies Rail Tours - 1-800-519-7245.

Information is deemed reliable, according to the following sources: Sanders County Community Development, Visit Montana.com, Travel Montana.com and Montana Fish and Game.
Please contact our Webmaster for changes, additions and deletions of event information. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our Northwest Montana Lodging Family Event and Activities Calendar updated.

Big Game Hunting in the Great Northwest

In Northwest Montana, you will find Bear, Mountain Lion, Elk, Big Horn Sheep, Mule Deer, White Tail Deer, Moose, Wild Turkeys and Upland Game Bird (Mt. Grouse). A hunters paradise in fact! Take a look at our Recreation page for recommended Outfitters and Guides.

• *Archery Season Opens
   ~ September 4th
• *Fall Bear Hunting Season
   ~ September 15th through end of general big game hunting season.
• *Moose, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goat Season
   ~ September 15th through end of general big game hunting season.
• *Turkey Season - Fall
   ~ September 1st through December 15th.
• *Upland Game Bird - Mt. Grouse
   ~ September 1st through December 15th.
• *Rifle Season Opens
   ~ October 24th - through the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
• *Mountain Lion Season
   ~ December 1st, closes on 24hr notice when quota is filled.
• *Spring Bear Hunting
   ~ April 15th - May 15th
• *Turkey Season
   ~ April 10th - May 9th

* Dates vary annually, call the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (406)827-4389 or visit the FWP.mt.us online. Please check with the FWP before planning your Northwest Montana Family Vacation.

Ongoing Events

• Clark Fork Bass Anglers
  ~ 3rd Thursday at 7pm.
  Contact: John Harris at 406-827-4458
• Wild Plum Station
  ~ Art, music, food, events every Saturday night in Dixon.
  Contact: 406-247-2787
• Hot Springs Artists Society
  ~ Live music concerts every Friday and Saturday night at Symes Hotel in Hot Springs.
  Contact: 406-741-2361
• Rocky Mountain Rangers Black Powder Shoots
  ~ Every second weekend of the month, Rock Creek Road (Ice Plant).
  Contact: 406-827-2113
• Farmer's Market and Flea Market
  ~ Noxon Town Park, every Saturday morning beginning July 4th.
  Contact: 406-847-2113
• Old Jail Museum, Thompson Falls
  ~ Opens Mother's Day through Labor day, changing exhibits.
  Contact: 406-827-4515
• Sanders County Rocky Ridge Saddle Club
  ~ Trial rides, parades, O-Mok-Sees, play days, cowboy mounted shooting, mounted re-enactments, and Vet Days.
• 2009 Thompson Falls School Year
  ~ Home of the Blue Hawks ~ Game Schedules click here.

Fishing Tourneys

• July 17th
  ~ State Kids Fishing Tourney, B.A.S.S., Montana Bass Federation
• July 31th ~ Aug 1st
  ~ Tri State Bass Tourney
• September 18th ~ 19th
  ~ Montana Bass Federation

Boats put in at the Boat Launch Area at Trout Creek: weigh-ins on back lawn of Naughty Pine Saloon located next to the Lakeside Resort and Motel.

Montana Northwest Vacation Adventures

 Adventure and Montana have gone hand-in-hand for centuries. With so much wilderness, forest and park land available, the stare is filled with many opportunities to walk, run or hike on the wild side. Start by fishing as Norman MacLean did, who's adventures inspired the classic book (and movie) A River Runs Through It. Montana offers over 1,400 square miles of lakes and streams where you can chase rainbow and brown, cutthroats and other trout.

Glacier Country

 Crowned by the awe-inspiring peaks of Glacier National Park (open year-round), Glacier Country is a show case of nature's best work. Experience Flathead Lake (the Northwest's largest natural freshwater lake), the National Bison Range, wilderness areas, two Indian reservations, giant cedar forests, ski resorts, numerous world class golf courses, missions, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, snowmobiling trails, and more! Check out our Recreation page for family vacation ideas in Montana.

Family Activities and Fun in Montana

Wild Huckleberry Festival

 Every August, Trout Creek, Montana is transformed into the Huckleberry Capital of the world. What is a Huckleberry you ask? Once you've tasted one you'll know why this little wild berry, found in the high elevations of Lolo, Kootenai and the Cabinet Mountains in Montana, have attracted even the most particular gourmet with their burst of unique and fruity flavor. What you may not know is that it is a staple for the wildlife that live in our National Parks and Forests in the Great Northwest!

Family Fishing Vacation Ideas in Montana and the Great Northwest

 With the many rivers, streams and lakes that Northwest Montana has to offer, it has become one of the nations most enjoyable fishing destinations year round. So whether you are a Fly Fisherman, an Ice Fisherman or just 'Joe the plumber', the fish are biting here in Northwest Montana. We have recommended Outfitters and Guides on our Recreation page so you can plan your next Great Fishing Adventure!

Fun Facts about Montana

• Montana is the 4th largest State in the union.
• The entire state of Montana has only 909,453 people (2002 U.S. Census estimate) less than major cities in California, New York or Florida..
• Land Area: 145,392 square miles.
• Water Area: 1,746 miles.
• Hundreds of residents per square mile, only 6 of them are people.

• 250 types of birds.
• Over 100+ types of mammal species.
• The largest herd of migratory Elk live in Montana.

• Over 14 Federal wilderness areas and more than a dozen national wildlife refuges are located here.
• Over 200 years ago, Lewis and Clark spent more time in Montana than in any other state on their journey from St. Louis in search of a through waterway to the West Coast.
• Both Glacier and Yellowstone National Park are located here.

Interesting Trout Creek Montana Facts

• "Huckleberry Capitol of Montana"
• Trout Creek is in Sanders County.
• The latitude of Trout Creek is 47.836N. The longitude is -115.597W.
• It is in the Mountain Standard time zone. Elevation is 2,372 feet.
• The population, at the time of the 2000 census, was 261.
• In Sanders County, the topography and weather run the gamut from rain forest to high desert.

For additional Montana Events, check out Visit Montana's Trip Planner Events