Summer fair adds Spirit Fest event

This summer’s Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo will feature live performances by acclaimed Christian singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman on Tuesday, Aug. 14 and country music star Rodney Atkins on Wednesday, Aug. 15. 

Concert tickets will be available beginning at 8 a.m. on May 3 at the fairgrounds office in Kalispell or online at www.nwmtfair.com. Both shows are sponsored by Kalispell Toyota.

Chapman will headline the fair’s first-ever Spirit Fest, which also will include guest speakers and musical performances by local artists Hymn Folks, Izzi Ray, and the Fresh Life Church Band.

“Spirit Fest is a new type of event for us to produce,” Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell said. “We want to share more music and more experience with our customers. The Christian music genre is very diverse, and there is so much great talent in this region. Spirit Fest’s four-hour format will showcase a much wider range of choices, and we hope appeal to more of the audience.”

Spirit Fest’s reserved tickets, which include access to the Praise Pit, cost $27, and general admission tickets cost $22.

“Rodney Atkins was an easy choice for us,” Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell said. “The honesty and reality within his music is a great fit for the Montana lifestyle.  With Rodney’s recent popularity, we expect to have a great crowd and a wonderful evening at the Fair.”

Reserved tickets for the Rodney Atkins performance, which include access to the Party Pit, cost $30. General admission tickets cost $25. If purchased and printed prior to arriving at the fairgrounds, concert tickets include admission to the fair.

The 2012 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo runs Aug. 15 to 19 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds with a theme of “Vote for Fun!” 

In addition to Spirit Fest and the concerts, the fair will feature three nights of Ram PRCA Rodeo action Aug. 16 to 18.

For more information, visit www.nwmtfair.com.