Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo opens at the fairgrounds
Kole Ashbacher, from Arrowwood, Alberta, Canada, competes in saddle bronc riding at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo on Thursday, Aug. 18. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Enjoy a carnival ride, get some tasty food from the midway and take in the thousands of exhibits on display at the 2024 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo this week. The annual tradition kicks off Tuesday at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell.
The fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 18. This year’s theme is “Exploring Montana’s Best,” which is a nod to the traditional fair exhibits featuring livestock while creating a bridge to the modern technology of the Flathead Valley.
The fair will feature performances by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends The Beach Boys, country stars LOCASH and Niko Moon, three nights of PRCA Rodeo action and a youth rodeo.
Tickets for all events can be purchased online at www.nwmtfair.com or at the fair office.
The Beach Boys will perform on Tuesday, Aug. 13 in the Grandstand Arena. For more than six decades, The Beach Boys’ music has been an indelible part of American history. The Beach Boys are led by lead singer and critically acclaimed chief lyricist Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and John Wedemeyer continue the legacy of the iconic band. Reserved seating tickets are $55, and party pit tickets are $65. General admission tickets for everyone over the age of 5 are $45. Children age 5 and under will be admitted to the general seating area free of charge. All tickets purchased prior to arriving at the fair include admission to the grounds.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14, LOCASH and Niko Moon will take the Grandstand stage in separate performances. Dubbed “country music's iconic feel-good duo” by People, LOCASH is adding a new dimension to their hitmaking career with the launch of their own record label Galaxy Label Group. Known for Platinum breakout “I Love This Life” and Gold #1s “One Big Country Song” and “I Know Somebody,” LOCASH have earned eight charting singles and nearly 800 million global streams. Chart-topping country artist Niko Moon’s first single "Good Time" went No. 1 on country radio and his other hits continue to climb the charts.
Tickets for the LOCASH and Niko Moon concert are $45 for reserved seating, $55 for the party pit and $35 for general admission seating for everyone over the age of 5. Children under the age of 5 will be admitted to the general seating area free of charge.
The PRCA Rodeo runs Aug. 15-17 and will feature world-class athletes from Canada and throughout the United States aiming for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Events include bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
Reserved seating tickets are $35, and general admission tickets for everyone over the age of 12 are $30. General admission tickets for children ages 6 to 12 are $15, and children age 5 and under will be admitted to the general admission area free of charge. On Aug. 15 only, seniors age 65 and older can purchase a general admission ticket on the fairgrounds for $15 for that evening’s rodeo.
The fair closes Sunday, Aug. 18 with a family-friendly youth rodeo in the Grandstand Arena. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Children age 5 and under will be admitted free of charge.
Admission onto the fairgrounds is a separate fee at the gate and costs $8 for adults and teens, $5 for seniors ages 65 and over, and $5 for children ages six to 12. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge.
Fairgoers can save money by purchasing admission tickets until Aug. 16 or while supplies last at any Whitefish Credit Union branch in Kalispell, Columbia Falls or Whitefish during normal banking hours. Advance admission tickets are $5 per person, regardless of age.
Senior/Kids Day at the fair is Thursday, Aug. 15. Seniors ages 65 and over and children ages 12 and under are admitted onto the fairgrounds free of charge that day.
For more information about the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo or to purchase event tickets, visit www.nwmtfair.com or call (406) 758-5810.