Around Town: July 12–July 18, 2021

While remaining safe amidst the Covid-19 pandemic is still a priority, many local Businesses And ORGANIZATIONS Are beginning to host events and ACTIVITIES arOund town. We are excited to share those eVents with you, Here’s What’s coming up:

Monday, July 12:

• 2:00pm-6:00pm Missoula Public Library Explore the Makerspace!

  Open Hours allows library users to explore the equipment and resources of the Makerspace.

Tuesday, July 13:

• 9:30am - 11:30am YMCA Family Fun time

  Join us at the Missoula YMCA for Family Fun Time— indoor, all-weather play place for families! Children and their families will enjoy bounce houses, tumbling mats, and more. Family Fun Time is offered Tuesdays (9:30–11:30 a.m.) and Saturdays (11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) through May 2021. Included with YMCA Family and Household memberships. Day passes available.

• 10:00am—11:30am Junior Ranger Program: Bird Beaks

  Learn why birds have different beaks and how they use them!

  This is a FREE program that is open to the public. This program is recommended for kids 6-12 years old, but little siblings and parents are welcome! Kids that attend at least four programs over the course of the Junior Ranger program will earn their Junior Ranger Badge! This program will be held at Council Grove State Park. It will run roughly an hour and a half long. Please come prepared for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Please contact Jess Martin at Jessica.Martin@mt.gov or (406) 542-5531 for more information.

Photo Credit: Frenchtown Pond State Park/Council Grove State Park

Wednesday, July 14:

• 10:00am—11:00am Tiny Tales Empower Place at the Missoula Public Library

  Tiny Tales uses sounds, rhythms, and movement to help your child learn to read! Participants will sing songs, learn finger-plays and nursery rhymes, and hear stories. Presented by various Youth Services staff.

• 1:00pm Missoula Public Library Grand Opening

  Join Missoula Public Library and its partners: MCAT, Families First Learning Lab, SpectrUM, and UM Living Lab, as we take a day to celebrate our Grand Opening! The festivities begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony and will continue throughout the day. Make your way through the Library building and discover all the amazing things we have to offer on every floor! There will be plenty of extra special things happening this day: science and equipment demos, VR (virtual reality) activities, live music from local musicians, children's events, cooking demonstrations, tours, a talk from MPL's building architects, a local author reading, an evening reception, and so much more! Please note that the Library's hours of operation will be different (1-8PM) and that some of our regular services may be limited.

• 7:00pm Missoula Paddleheads baseball game

  Experience a feast like none other! All night long, $1 food and drink specials will be sure to fill up your stomach
  to maximum capacity. Woof Wednesday: That's right! Every Wednesday, we celebrate the furry members of your family. Bring your best friend to the ballpark and take in some PaddleHeads baseball!

Thursday, July 15:

• 5:30pm Downtown Tonight at Caras Park

  Live music, food trucks, Caras Park. That’s right, Downtown Tonight has returned to the heart of Missoula. Twelve local food trucks will be on hand to serve up the delicious food that you’ve been craving since 2019. Its time to gather and reconnect in the Heart of Missoula, at Caras Park! Masks welcome but not required, although highly recommended when in food vendor lines.

Photo Credit: Missoula Downtown Association

• 7:00pm (Start time), gates open at 6:00pm Centerfield Cinema: Mad Max and The Road Warrior

• Mad Max: The Road Warrior—Centerfield Cinema gets nomadic as we welcome Mel Gibson and the 1982 post-apocalyptic thriller.

Friday, July 16:

• 3:30pm—5:30pm Young Adults Writers Group at Missoula Public Library

  For writers and aspiring writers ages 16-19. We share our work aloud--poems, stories, songs, rants, novels--and give and receive respectful feedback. All genres, tones, styles welcome. We laugh, we shiver, we cringe, we swoon - we ENJOY WORDS!! Members will meet live on Zoom every Friday. If you are interested in joining us please email Dana at danam@missoula.lib.mt.us. 3:30-5:30 PM

Saturday, July 17:

• Anytime from 11:00am - 5:00pm Visit the Moon Randolph Homestead

  Bring your friends and family to the Moon-Randolph Homestead's open days, which run every Saturday, May through October, from 11 am - 5 pm.
  Public tours are available during open days on a first-come, first-served basis, or explore the Homestead's wild plum thicket, heritage apple orchard, barn, root cellar, and livestock at your own pace. Visitors are encouraged to picnic, draw, write, play, and spend time at this unique, public, cultural site.

Sunday, July 18:

• 6:00pm Family Paint Pour at Painting with A Twist

  Bring the whole family in to paint pour! Class is open to ages 8 and up! Instruction is guided and supplies are provided.