You're Invited to Play, Courtesy of Chief Charlo

Chief Charlo School will host a neighborhood party to celebrate the completion of their new playground on August 24 from 6-8 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the grand opening celebration which will include a special ribbon cutting ceremony, live music from Cowboy Andy and the Salamanders and food for purchase from the Patty Wagon and Baskin Robbins food trucks.

The playground will not only benefit school children at Chief Charlo, but will be open to all of Missoula. Funds for the playground were generated through fundraising efforts of parents and students along with a donation from Stockman Bank commemorating the opening of their Brooks Street location in Missoula.

“The playground truly was a community wide effort,” said Heather Bomb President of the Chief Charlo Parent Teacher’s Organization. “For the last several years students have participated in fundraising efforts such as the school’s Fun Run where friends, family members and local businesses donate money for each lap the children complete. Stockman Bank also made a sizable donation which helped to make this project possible. We appreciate their investment in our school.”

Cowboy Andy and the Salamanders is an award winning nationally recognized children and family friendly rock group that offers an all-original high-energy overly-hyphenated all-ages performance. Thought of, not entirely incorrectly, as a blend of The Muppets, Pink Floyd, and Johnny Cash, Cowboy Andy and the Salamanders has been delighting families for over 10 years. The band’s current line up includes Cowboy Andy, Ian Smith, Matthew Bainton, Oscar Hunt, and Russ Gay. They are currently in the studio working on their fourth album.

“We hope that the community will join us in celebrating the completion of this project which is nearly six years in the making,” said Bomb. “Everyone is welcome to come, listen to some great music, and play on our new playground.”

Chief Charlo Elementary School opened its doors in 1995 and 421 Kindergarten through Fifth grade students will attend during the 2022-2023 school year. The new equipment replaces a playground that dated back to the schools opening.