Tag Archives: Western Montana Fair

Demo derby to benefit firefighters

For most of our lives, August in Missoula meant one thing and one thing only: Fair season!

Today, however, we experience another less fortunate association when someone mentions the month of August: Fire season.

And while the fair gets better and better every year (free admission, anyone?) it seems like the fires get worse: Earlier breakouts, thicker smoke, more evacuations and, worst of all, increased firefighter injuries and fatalities.

20526030_10155694536400625_17888284464083652_nSince the fair dust and fire smoke are already intermingled in our heads and lungs, it only make since we formally lump them in our hearts as well.

With that, we’re excited to announce the annual Demolition Derby will be expanded into a two-event show benefiting the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which assists families of firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty.

The Put Out the Peaks Motor Rally will still happen in the arena on the final day of fair week, but this year there will be derby’s at both 4 pm and 8:30 pm – and a portion of proceeds will go directly to the foundation.

“Firefighters are risking their lives so we can enjoy summer traditions like the fair,” said fairgrounds director Emily Bentley. “Honoring their sacrifice – and the sacrifice their families make – is the least we can do.”

Attendance will be $16 per show, with each scheduled to last about two hours. You can pick up your tickets in advance HERE.

Or … you can try your luck at a free pair through our Facebook page!

If it would encourage you to invite along a few paying friends – or at least make it easier to put money in the boot when it’s passed around – we’d be more than happy to get you to the show.

Thanks to you for listening, thanks to the firefighters – and their families – for their sacrifice – here’s to more fair dust, and less fire smoke, for all the Augusts to come!

Sure, there’s carnival rides. Even a demolition derby, cute lil’ bunnies and three days of rodeo.

But everyone knows the best part about the Western Montana Fair isn’t in the arena, livestock stalls or exhibition buildings.

asdfNope, the reason you’ll see us lined up outside the gates when they open is quite simple: It’s the food.

So when we heard admission to the fair would be free every day, we didn’t get excited about the extra cash for rides. We started drooling over vikings, tater pigs, fry bread, deep fried Oreo cookies and the lot.

We’re talking about lunch, ya’ll.

Our favorite hour of the day just got sweeter because now, or at least for one glorious week in August, we can gain free access to the best food under the sun. Get in, chow down, maybe pet a pig or two, and back to the office.

And STILL head back later that night for the rides and rodeos.

Friends, we’ve been dieting all year for this, and we hope you’ll join us. Let’s make it a lunch date. And a dinner date. Shoot, we might even have to hit ’em up for some breakfast …

The Western Montana Fair runs Aug. 8-13. Tune in and follow us on Facebook for lots of great giveaways in the coming two weeks.!

Click HERE for all the fair information you need, including a schedule of events and a map.

And here’s what you’ve been waiting for – the complete list of food vendors and menu items for this year’s fair:

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Check out the fair menu!