Montana Food Shows & Festivals, Wine & Beer Festivals, Trade Shows, BBQ Events, etc.

2013 MONTANA 2013
FOOD & WINE FESTIVALS, SHOWS, EVENTS
(see also: 2012 - 2011 - 2008)

January 16, 2013  New Trends in Agriculture - Glasgow, Montana
New Trends in Agriculture is a seminar that helps agribusiness in the area stay in touch with the latest trends in their field. There are many speakers and a wide range of topics are covered.

January 17-19, 2013  Magie MT Agricultural & Industrial Expo - Great Falls, Montana
A regional farm and ranch trade show featuring over 200 exhibitors from all over the Pacific Northwest.

February 9, 2013  Feb Fest - Helena, Montana
Chocolate, candy and dessert delicacies are the cornerstone of our event! Also find Valentine gifts, arts and crafts or enter the artwear fashion show--wearable art from your closet or the thrift store--must be at least 50% recycled.

February 10, 2013  Wine/Cheese/Chocolate - Anaconda, Montana
Hearst Free Library

February 14, 2013  Valentine's Day
Most of the more than 1/2 million restaurants in the U.S. have special events scheduled for today. They are too numerous to list.

March 2, 2013  Wine and Food Festival 2013 - Great Falls, Montana
An evening of sampling over 100 wines and beers, and food from the Montana area.
 

March 4-8, 2013  National School Breakfast Week 2013 - Nationwide
National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) was launched in 1989 to raise awareness of the availability of the School Breakfast Program (SBP) to all children. Each year, the School Nutrition Association (SNA) helps schools to celebrate NSBW with a fun theme – this year it is School Breakfast--Go For The Gold.

March 9, 2013  Milk River Wagon Train Feed and Dance - Malta, Montana
Enjoy the tall tales, companionship and vittles of veterans and ‘scissor-billed' greenhorns as we share adventures of life in northern Montana, fueled by a scrumptious feed of Rocky Mountain Oysters and other tender morsels.

March 15-16, 2013  Northeast Montana Farm Expo - Plentywood, Montana
Each year KATQ Radio sponsors its annual Farm Expo, bringing in agricultural exhibits from Montana, various other northern states and Canada. Educational seminars daily. Friday morning join us for the Farm and Ranch Appreciation Breakfast. The Friday night’s banquet includes a featured guest speaker.

March 19, 2013  'AgDay' National Agriculture Day - Nationwide
National Ag Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless other across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.

April 22, 2013  Earth Day - Worldwide
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

April 28, 2013  Taste of Big Fork - Big Fork, Montana
Wine, music and wonderful food from fabulous dining and specialties places in and around Bigfork.

May 4, 2013  21st Annual Garden City Brewfest - Missoula, Montana
This vibrant event takes place in downtown Missoula's Caras Park. More than 60 beers on tap, food and live music.

May 13-18, 2013  MSU Billings Wine & Food Festival 2013 - Billings, Montana
Tapas, Lunch and Learn.  Seminars, cooking schools, guest chef dinner, iron chef competition and wine & food pairings.

June 1-2, 2013  Whoop-Up Days and Rhubarb Festival - Conrad, Montana
Annual Whoop-Up Trail Days and newly added Rhubarb Festival.

June 8, 2013  Strawberry Festival - Billings, Montana
22nd Annual Strawberry Festival, always the 2nd Saturday in June.

July 4, 2013  There are so many events on this day that they are too numerous to list. Virtually every community in the U.S. has a 4th of July celebration.

July 11, 2013  Taste of Great Falls - Great Falls, Montana
Come sample a variety of food and drink from our local restaurants and enjoy live entertainment.
 

July 12-13, 2013  Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament
Fort Peck Lake, Montana
Walleye fishing at its best can be found in Fort Peck Lake. Plus Montana Governor's Cup is now a member of Walleyes Unlimited Circuit. The Montana Governor's Walleye Tournament brings anglers, from 18 states, Canada and all over Montana, who are willing to pay $400 per team to try for the $15,000 first place prize. Cash and merchandise prizes are given to the top 20% of the 200 two person teams. This is also an event for the entire family with a Gals & Guys Tournament on Thursday morning and a Youth Fishing Festival on Saturday morning. Other events are a barbecue for the fisherman and families and a Fish Fry open to the Public. (also: missouririver.visitmt.com/calendar/ )

July 19-20, 2013  Dog & Grog - Montana Microbrew Festival - Virginia City, Montana
The Bale of Hay Saloon in Historic Virginia City, Montana hosts this annual Montana Micro-brew festival featuring the best micros made in Montana.

July 20-21, 2013  Flathead Lake Cherry Festival - Polson, Montana
Cherry pit spitting and stem tying contests, recipe contest, pie sale, street dance, magic show and strolling bagpipers. Over 125 vendors will be selling their cherry related items as well as other merchandise.

July 26-Aug 4, 2013  Montana State Fair - Great Falls, Montana
We'll be "Just Chillin" this year with fabulous concert artists, food and tons of entertainment. The fair is going to be the coolest thing this summer, with fabulous fair food, midway rides, and competitive exhibits in 21 unique departments. Contests include the Montana Wheat & Barley-A-Thon baking competition, Ultimate Chocolate Montana-shaped cake contest, Healthy fruits & nuts fudge contest, Beef in the Kitchen, Great American Spam Championship, and the Veggie 500.

August 9-17, 2013  MontanaFair - Billings, Montana
MontanaFair is an agricultural celebration in the historic tradition of fairs. It is the region’s largest event with attendance of nearly a quarter of a million each year. Held at MetraPark in Billings, MontanaFair celebrates for nine days beginning the second weekend in August. Nearly 10,000 people will earn cash and ribbons for their entries which range from beer, wine, bunnies, crocheting, horticulture, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, petit-point, pickles, to hobbies, and arts and crafts. Also Carnival, Entertainment, Kids Activities, etc. Attendance: 250,000.

November 28, 2013  Thanksgiving Day - Nationwide
All StatesThere are so many events on Thanksgiving Day they are to numerous to list.  (4th Thursday in November).
 

2012 MONTANA 2012
FOOD & WINE FESTIVALS & SHOWS, EVENTS
events waiting for new dates

February 18, 2012  16th Annual Ice Fishing Derby - Glasgow, Montana
(expired domain name: www.glasgowmt.net/ )
The contest will take place at Dredge Cuts Trout Pond. Entry fee is: $50.00 per hole or 3 holes for $100.00. First Place will win $2000.00.

April 13, 2012  6th Annual Montana Beer Festival - Bozeman, Montana
Brewers from all over the Rockies shall converge for your libatious pleasure, giving you unlimited pours, and a chance to converse with the wonderful brewers while suckling the myriad hops-soaked udders. From 4:30-10:00 PM the fairgrounds shall buzz gloriously as you swim in amber rivers, plunge in pools of porter and bask in glowing hefeweizen, coming to your final decision when you vote for People’s Choice brew.
 

July 21, 2012  Dog & Grog - Montana Microbrew Festival - Virginia City, Montana
The Bale of Hay Saloon in Historic Virginia City, Montana hosts this annual Montana Micro-brew festival featuring the best micros made in Montana.

July 21-22, 2012  Polson Cherry Festival - Polson, Montana
Cherry pit spitting and stem tying contests, recipe contest, pie sale, street dance, magic show and strolling bagpipers. Over 125 vendors will be selling their cherry related items as well as other merchandise.

August 1, 2012  The Bite of Bozeman - Bozeman, Montana
Come to historic downtown Bozeman and enjoy food and drinks provided by over 40 food vendors with entertainment performed by local artists. Held as part of the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts.

August 1-5, 2012  30th Annual Testicle Festival - Rock Creek Lodge, Montana
Rocky Mountain Oyster festival, serving deep-fried bull testicles.

August 3-4, 2012  100th Creamery Picnic - Stevensville, Montana
This is a traditional celebration for Stevensville with a historic background and 2012 is the Centennial of this event. There is a parade, Montana State BBQ Championship, Microbrew Festival, food vendors, crafters, and booths of all descriptions. Incredible ice cream and a mobile dairy to show how we get milk products. Music, beer, great food and fun as well as live entertainment and a car show! Family oriented and takes place in the Lewis and Clark Park.

August 10-12, 2012  Huckleberry Festival 2012 - Trout Creek, Montana
Trout Creek was proclaimed "Huckleberry Capitol of Montana" by the state's legislature in 1981. The Huckleberry Festival, put on by volunteers from our community, has grown through the years. People flock to taste and purchase the berries, sold on the park grounds to benefit the festival. Food vendors feature the tasty "purple gold" in huckleberry ice cream cones, "huckleberry pizza," on cheesecake, in drinks, and even atop Polish dogs.  The Trout Creek Fire Department offers its Saturday and Sunday morning huckleberry pancake breakfasts, and both children and adults bake the tastiest recipes they know for the honor of competing in the Huckleberry Dessert Contest.

August 10-12, 2012  Huckleberry Days Arts Festival & Bake-Off Contest
Whitefish, Montana
23rdx Annual Huckleberry Days Arts Festival and Dessert Bake-Off.  The Bake-off contest has two divisions (Commercial and Non-Commercial) and all entries must contain Huckleberries in some form (fresh, frozen, jam, syrup, etc.)  Cash prizes & bragging rights will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in each division.

August 18, 2012  Manhattan Potato Festival & State Chili Cook-off - Manhattan, Montana
A celebration held in downtown Manhattan in honor of the potato industry surrounding this community. Firemen's breakfast, music, parade, arts and crafts vendors, lawn mower races, car show, town dance, and lots of food. First place in the Montana State Chili Cook-off divisions Red, Green and Salsa advance to the World Chili Cook-off.

August 25, 2012  Dixon Melon Day - Dixon, Montana
Fun for the entire family. Includes a parade, run/walk, food booths, old time kids and adult games, live entertainment, silent auction, farmer Olympics, horseshoes, little buckaroo rodeo and the best melons in western Montana.

August 25, 2012  MonDak Harvest Fest - Sidney, Montana
The MonDak Harvest Fest is an antique tractor and pickup pulling contest. Also included is a kids' pedal pull and motor bike training.

September 6, 2012  Taste of Whitefish - Whtiefish, Montana
Fine cuisine from more than twenty Whitefish restaurants, as well as beer from the Great Northern Brewing Co, a wine tasting and non-alcoholic beverages.  Come join the fun and eat to your heart”s content!

September 8, 2012  Montana State Chokecherry Festival - Lewistown, Montana
The first Saturday after Labor Day, central Montana ushers in the return of fall with the annual Chokecherry Festival, held in Lewistown, the geographical center of the state and the Chokecherry Capitol of Montana.  The Chokecherry Festival celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year. The festival is attended by more than 4,000 people from far and near, enjoying the event and soaking up the beautiful scenery of central Montana. It's a time of wholesome fun for everyone from tiny tykes to Grandpa. Chokecherry culinary contest, pit spitting contest, live entertainment, etc. (also: www.lewistownchamber.com ) Attendance: 4,000.

September 15-16, 2012  Choteau Threshing Bee - Choteau, Montana
Come to beautiful Choteau and enjoy a weekend of agricultural history. A pancake breakfast will be served and lunch will be provided by local 4-H Clubs. Events include wheat and corn grinding, threshing, a working blacksmith, sawmilling and planing, steam engines, tractor parade, arts and crafts and much, much more.

September 21-22, 2012  Chinook Sugarbeet Festival - Chinook, Montana
Our town's name comes from an Indian word meaning "warm wind" which, melting the snow in January and February, makes it possible for cattle to reach the rich grasses and survive. The festival includes a parade, sugarbeet growing contest, oil & gas industry displays, Beverly Hillbillies look-alike contest, car show, fun run & live music.

September 28-Oct 8, 2012  5th Annual Festival of Flavors - Kalispell, Montana
Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC).  The ten day gala consists of various events ranging from a Great Chefs dinners featuring intimate evenings with some of the Valley’s top chefs to a grand wine tasting event featuring over 200 choice wines to sample.  (also: www.fvcc.edu/festival.html )

October 6, 2012  33rd Annual McIntosh Apple Day - Hamilton, Montana
Billed as the biggest bake sale under the Big Sky, the fest has apple butter bubbling over an open fire, apple juice being squeezed, a giant Farmers Market with arts and crafts, kids games galore, live music all day, a mega-raffle, fall vegetables and fruits and lots of specialty food items. Attendance: 20,000.

October 6, 2012  Chowder Challenge at ZooMontana - Billings, Montana
The Second Annual Chowder Challenge is back at ZooMontana. $10 per person gets you as much Chowder as you can eat from dozens of local area restaurants and caterers! Bring your appetite because this event is sure to fill your whole family up!  All proceeds for this event go straight towards ZooMontana. What a delicious way to support the zoo!

October 6, 2012  Montana Brewers 4th Annual Fall Festival - Missoula, Montana
Come enjoy the specialties of Montana brewers from across the state in one of the best outdoor venues in the state. Over 20 Montana brewers with over 60 Montana-Made-Beers.

October 13, 2012  Harvest Fest - Billings, Montana
Celebrate the Change of Seasons! Harvest Pie Contest, Pumpkin Carving Contest, etc.

November 11-14, 2012  MFBF Convention and Trade Show - Billings, Montana
Montana Farm Bureau Federation.

November 17-18, 2012  27th Annual Holiday Food & Gift Festival - Billings, Montana
Be part of the largest and best attended show of the season--artisans, crafters, bakers and entertainment.  More than 250 arts and crafts booths offer thousands of items for that perfect gift or holiday decoration, and the festival serves as the perfect kick-off to your holiday season. Eat, drink and be merry! You will find just the right thing for everyone on your shopping list – gift baskets, cutlery, photographs and prints, candles, ornaments, cosmetics, jams, jellies and syrups, gourmet mustards and spices, kitchen items, fountains, stamping supplies, photo album ideas, health, fitness and nutritional products – you name it, we’ve got it!

2011 MONTANA 2011
Food & Wine Festivals, Shows & Local Events
waiting for new dates

January 27-30, 2011  Montana Winter Fair - Lewistown, Montana
One of Montana's premeire events for the agricultural community. Includes Trade Show, Forums, Homebrew Beer tasting , Death by Chocolate, Cinnamon Roll Bake Off, Chili Cook Off, Dutch Oven Cooking, Youth Heifer Show, entertainment.

September 9, 2011  16th Annual Blues & Brews - Great Falls, Montana
The annual fund raiser for the River's Edge Trail will feature great food, a selection of micro brew and domestic beers and the best regional and national blues artists we can find.

September 10, 2011  NorthWest HoneyFest - Stevensville, Montana
A celebration of the Honey Bee in Montana.

2008 MONTANA 2008
MONTANA FOOD & WINE FESTIVALS, SHOWS, EVENTS
waiting for new dates

August 8-10, 2008  Whitefish Wine & Food Summit - Whitefish, Montana
Montana's most definitive celebration of wine and food.
(Website no longer active: www.whitefishmountainwines.com )