2022 Fair Schedule
PRE-FAIR EVENTS | WESTERN MONTANA FAIR
From July to August 9 several competitive events are hosted prior to the Western Montana Fair due to space and time limitations. Events include horses, ranch horse, dogs, goats, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, poultry and all the shooting sports.
WED AUG 10 | FIRST NATIONS FAMILY DAY
First Nation’s Family Day begins with Native American dance and game demonstrations, followed by live music. The evening’s Xtreme Bulls Rock the Red performance is dedicated to creating awareness for Montana’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). 20% of Xtreme Bulls’ ticket sales benefit MMIW. Wear red on Wednesday in solidarity with MMIWG.
THU AUG 11 | TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK
Market show day, exhibitors compete in the livestock shows while music, dance and Dare to Win demonstrations and contests playout in the Historic Plaza. Be sure to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness to the Rodeo. Stay after for the Free barn dance with live music by Tommy Edwards, the Montanan who made it to Team Blake on NBC’s “The Voice”.
FRI AUG 12 | PARADE OF CHAMPIONS
Bike to the Fair Friday and receive free bike valet and $2 Bike Bucks to enjoy your favorite Fair foods. Showmanship takes center stage in the livestock barn as the day of competition closes with the Parade of Champions at the Missoula Stampede Rodeo. Drunken Hearts performs at the Free Barn Dance in Fairway Plaza.
4-H and FFA livestock sale day and the close of the Fur & Feather silent auction. All champion showmanship winners compete in the Round Robin to be the best of the best. Live music, dance, games and demonstrations fill the Historic Plaza. Celebrate one of the community’s outstanding citizens at Legends Night during the rodeo followed by live music from Big Sky’s Dammit Lauren at the Free Barn Dance.
Roses and racing takes over the final day of the Fair on Sunday. Missoula Rose Society hosts the Rose Show in the Floriculture Building. Lords of Dirt hosts qualifying heats followed by the final races and a motocross exhibition by Butte’s Keith Sayers at 6 p.m. The Fair closes at 8 p.m. but save the date for the 2023 Fair, “The Butterfly Effect” to be held August 9-13.
Fair Hours
The Western Montana Fair operates from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. August 10-13 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. August 14. Public parking opens 7:30 a.m. There is one lot for handicap parking (Stephens Ave. entrance) and one lot for public parking (Russell St.).
Park Hours
The park is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Park users are welcome to picnic (outside alcohol is not permitted). Water fill stations are located along the trail. Restrooms are open to the public during the Fair.
No fees
The Fair is free to all. No gate fees are charged to enter the Fairgrounds. Fees only apply with regard to parking, concessions, carnival and grandstand events as noted during the week of the Fair.
Pets Prohibited
For the duration of the Western Montana Fair, pets are not permitted. Service animals are permitted in designated areas.
Service animals may be excluded where it is determined that allowing service animals would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, programs or activities provided to the public. Service animals are excluded from the Llama Barn (Building #34), poultry exhibits and rabbit exhibits during the Fair.