Summer might be over, but that doesn’t mean everyone in Montana is ready to hibernate. There are some exciting festivals to be found across the state this season, and some of them are pretty unique. In fact, these 10 autumn events are one-of-a-kind.
- Running of the Sheep, Reed Point, 9/6
Billings Gazette / YouTube OK, so this event has already passed… and it’s technically not quite fall. But something so wonderfully weird had to make the list. Every year the community gathers together to watch hundreds of sheep thunder through the streets of Reed Point. As if it couldn’t get any better, there are also hay bale races.
- Montana Book Festival, Missoula, 9/21 - 9/25
Micah Sheldon / Flickr Did you know Montana has more bookstores per capita than any other state? We love to read here, and Missoula’s annual Book Festival is a chance for readers to come together and attend readings, author signings and panels.
- Fiber Fest, Billings, 9/24
Kent Kanouse / Flickr Fiber Fest is a one-day free event held at the Billings Convention Center where people talk about and sell fiber related products. Yes, really.
- the Great Northwest Oktoberfest, Whitefish, 9/29 - 10/1
Great Northwest Oktoberfest Facebook Oktoberfest will be celebrated in many parts of the country (and world) so at first glance this festival may not seem unique. But we’re betting those other Oktoberfests don’t crown a Hop Queen or have Waitress Races, where local servers compete for a $250 prize by racing with beer steins.
- Townsend Fall Fest, Townsend, 9/30 - 10/2
Townsend Fall Fest Facebook Every fall, the small town of Townsend becomes a booming party. There’s always a stellar music lineup, a car show, and numerous other events. It’s also very kid-friendly.
- McInTosh Apple Day, Hamilton, 10/1
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr For almost 40 years, the Hamilton community has come together for the biggest bake sale in Big Sky Country. The annual fundraiser sells hundreds of baked and frozen pies, and it’s as delicious as it sounds.
- Harvestfest, Billings, 10/8
Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism / Flickr Billings’ Harvestfest, which is a celebration of all that is autumn, is always held on the second day of October. It’s the perfect way to welcome fall.
- Annual Ennis Hunters’ Feed, Ennis, 10/24
Paul Iwancio / Flickr Every year on the Friday before rifle season opens, the Ennis Hunters Feed welcomes hunters, families and friends to enjoy wild game dishes sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Prizes are awarded for Best Chili, Best Non-Chili, Most Unusual and the coveted Judge’s Choice.
- Bannack Ghost Walk, 10/29 - 10/30
Arthur T. LaBar / Flickr The weekend before Halloween is a special time at Bannack State Park. The annual Ghost Walk takes visitors through reenacted historical events, and it’s both entertaining and spooky.
We sure love our fall festivals in Montana. Here’s another list of festivities that take place earlier in the year.
Billings Gazette / YouTube
OK, so this event has already passed… and it’s technically not quite fall. But something so wonderfully weird had to make the list. Every year the community gathers together to watch hundreds of sheep thunder through the streets of Reed Point. As if it couldn’t get any better, there are also hay bale races.
Micah Sheldon / Flickr
Did you know Montana has more bookstores per capita than any other state? We love to read here, and Missoula’s annual Book Festival is a chance for readers to come together and attend readings, author signings and panels.
Kent Kanouse / Flickr
Fiber Fest is a one-day free event held at the Billings Convention Center where people talk about and sell fiber related products. Yes, really.
Great Northwest Oktoberfest Facebook
Oktoberfest will be celebrated in many parts of the country (and world) so at first glance this festival may not seem unique. But we’re betting those other Oktoberfests don’t crown a Hop Queen or have Waitress Races, where local servers compete for a $250 prize by racing with beer steins.
Townsend Fall Fest Facebook
Every fall, the small town of Townsend becomes a booming party. There’s always a stellar music lineup, a car show, and numerous other events. It’s also very kid-friendly.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
For almost 40 years, the Hamilton community has come together for the biggest bake sale in Big Sky Country. The annual fundraiser sells hundreds of baked and frozen pies, and it’s as delicious as it sounds.
Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism / Flickr
Billings’ Harvestfest, which is a celebration of all that is autumn, is always held on the second day of October. It’s the perfect way to welcome fall.
Paul Iwancio / Flickr
Every year on the Friday before rifle season opens, the Ennis Hunters Feed welcomes hunters, families and friends to enjoy wild game dishes sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Prizes are awarded for Best Chili, Best Non-Chili, Most Unusual and the coveted Judge’s Choice.
Arthur T. LaBar / Flickr
The weekend before Halloween is a special time at Bannack State Park. The annual Ghost Walk takes visitors through reenacted historical events, and it’s both entertaining and spooky.
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