Schedule of Events

2024 NW Montana Fair & Rodeo Daily Schedule

The 2024 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo kicks off Aug. 13 with a concert by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend The Beach Boys. Tickets for the Beach Boys concert and all other grandstand events are now available for purchase at the fair office and online at www.nwmtfair.com.

For more than six decades, The Beach Boys’ music has been an indelible part of American history. Their brilliant harmonies conveyed simple truths through sophisticated, pioneering musical arrangements. The Beach Boys transcended their music and have come to represent Californian culture. They provided fans around the world with a passport to experience love, youthful exuberance, and surf culture. Founded in Hawthorne, California in 1961, The Beach Boys were originally comprised of the three teenaged Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl, and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine. The Beach Boys signed with Capitol Records in July 1962 and released their first album, Surfin’ Safari, that same year.

The Beach Boys are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Between the 1960s and today, the group had over 80 songs chart worldwide, 36 of them in the US Top 40 (the most by a US rock band), and four topping the Billboard Hot 100. Their influence on other artists spans musical genres and movements. Countless artists have cited Pet Sounds as their inspiration for creating their own musical masterpieces. Rolling Stone ranked Pet Sounds No. 2 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” and The Beach Boys No. 12 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, The Beach Boys are a beloved American institution that remains iconic around the world.

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.

The Beach Boys will perform on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo. Reserved seating tickets are $55, and party pit tickets are $65. General admission tickets for everyone over the age of five are $45. Children age five 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. The concert is sponsored by Kalispell Toyota & Northwest Toyota Dealers.

Tuesday, August 13

2 PM	Sheep Show	Trade Center
4 PM	Display Buildings Open	Trade Center
6 PM	John Dunnigan- Dunnigan Done It Again	Huckleberry Stage
6 PM	Gates Open for Rock Concert
8 PM	Beach Boys in Concert hosted by KOFI	Grandstands Arena

On Aug. 14, country music fans are in for a treat as LOCASH and Niko Moon take the 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 #1 on country radio and his other hits continue to climb the charts. Moon, a SESAC country songwriter of the year, has written eight #1 songs and over 40 major record label cuts for artists such as Morgan Wallen, Avicii, Dierks Bentley, Pitbull, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and more.

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 five. Children under the age of five will be admitted to the general seating area free of charge.

Wednesday, August 14

8 AM	Rabbit Show starts	Small Animal Barn
9 AM	Floriculture Judging	Flower Building
9 AM – 9 PM	Display Buildings Open
10 AM	Beef Cattle Judging followed by Dairy Cattle Judging	Trade Center
11 AM – 9 PM	Commercial Exhibits Open	Grandstand Building
Noon	Toast Masters	Huckleberry Stage
1 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
2 PM	Jeff Martin – Magic	Huckleberry Stage
3 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
4 PM	Pocket Pals Show	Trade Center
4 PM	Best Food of the Fair Awards	Huckleberry Stage
4 PM	4H Trail & Packing demonstrations	Mild Fence Arena
6 PM	John Dunnigan and His I-Pad Band Play Your Favorites	Huckleberry Stage
6 PM	Gates Open for Country Concert
7 PM	Niko Moon & LoCash in Concert Sponsored by Toyota & hosted by BEE Broadcasting	Grandstands Arena
9:30 PM	John Dunnigan – Renowned Singer Songwriter/Banjo Picker	Huckleberry Stage

Sponsored by Don “K” Ram, 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 six to 12 are $15, and children age five 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.

Thursday, August 15 – Kids/Senior Citizens Day

12 & under and 65 & over get Free Fair Admission!

$15 General Admission Rodeo Tickets for Seniors 65+ available at the Senior Rest Area

8 AM	Miniature Horse Show/Judging	Norther Stars Arena
8 AM	Open Poultry Show	Trade Center
9 AM – 9 PM	Display Buildings Open
9:30 AM	Goat Judging	Trade Center
10 AM	4-H/FFA Poultry Show	Small Animal Barn
11 AM – 9 PM	Commercial Exhibits Open	Grandstand Building
11 AM	Crafty Cookie Decorating Contest	Expo Building
11 AM	Youth A-Minute-To-Win-It Coloring Contests	Expo Building
12 – 5 PM	Spinning and Weaving demonstrations	Expo Building
12:15 PM	Senior A-Minute-To-Win-It Coloring Contests	Expo Building
1 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
2 PM	Jeff Martin Magic Show	Huckleberry Stage
3 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
1 – 3 PM	Draft Horse Show	Grandstand Arena
4:30 PM	Pie Eating Contest	Huckleberry Stage
5 PM	4H/FFA Beef Fitting Contest	Trade Center
6 PM	John Dunnigan – Everybody’s Favorite Harmonica Player	Huckleberry Stage
6 PM	Gates Open for Rodeo	Grandstands Arena
7 PM	PRCA Rodeo sponsored by Don “K” begins with Mutton Bustin’	Grandstands Arena
9:30 PM	John Dunnigan – Kick your Boots up a Bit Longer	Huckleberry Stage

Friday, August 16 – A Solute to Our Military and Veterans

Any active or retired military service member can show their ID at the entrance gates from 2-6 PM to get in free! They also receive a $5 voucher for fair food concessions and a free General Admission ticket to the Friday rodeo.

9 AM – 9 PM	Display Buildings Open
10 AM	Dahlia Show Judging Followed by Gladiolus Judging	Flower Barn
10 AM – 12 PM	Entries Due for King Arthur Baking Contest	Expo Building
11 AM – 9 PM	Commercial Exhibits Open	Grandstand Building
11 AM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
12 PM	King Arthur Baking Contest Judging	Expo Building
12 PM	Jeff Martin Magic Show	Huckleberry Stage
12 – 5 PM	Spinning and Weaving demonstrations	Expo Building
1 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
1:30 PM	Round Robin Competition	Trade Center
1 – 3 PM	Draft Horse Show	Grandstand Arena
2:30 PM	Meet the 2024 NW Montana Pro Rodeo Queen & Court	Huckleberry Stage
3 PM	Rabbit and Poultry Meat Cook-Off	Small Animal Barn
3:30 PM	Russ Swindall	Huckleberry Stage
4 PM	Barn-wide Costume Contest	Small Animal Barn
6 PM	John Dunnigan – Playing What He Wants (And You Ask For)	Huckleberry Stage
6 PM	Gates Open for Rodeo	Grandstands Arena
7 PM	PRCA Rodeo sponsored by Don “K” begins with Mutton Bustin’	Grandstands Arena
9:30 PM	John Dunnigan – Performs His Unique Brand of Music	Huckleberry Stage

Saturday, August 17

8 AM	4H/FFA Marketing Livestock Sale	Trade Center
9 AM – 9 PM	Display Buildings Open
10 AM	Rooster Crowing Contest	Small Animal Barn
10 AM – 12 PM	Great American Pie Contest Entries Accepted	Expo Building
11 AM – 9 PM	Commercial Exhibits Open	Grandstand Building
11 AM	Story Time w/animals	Small Animal Barn
11 AM	Jeff Martin Magic Show	Huckleberry Stage
12 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
12 PM	15th Annual Great American Pie Contest Judging	Expo Building
12 – 5 PM	Spinning and Weaving demonstrations	Expo Building
1 – 3 PM	Draft Horse Show	Grandstand Arena
2 PM	Fair Photo Contest Judging	Expo Building
2:30 PM	Valley Airs	Huckleberry Stage
3 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
4 PM	Russell Swindall Duo	Huckleberry Stage
6 PM	John Dunnigan – Flathead’s Very Own Godfather of Covers	Huckleberry Stage
6 PM	Gates Open for Rodeo	Grandstands Arena
7 PM	PRCA Rodeo sponsored by Don “K” begins with Mutton Bustin’	Grandstands Arena
9:30 PM	John Dunnigan – Helps Make a Great Fair Day Better	Huckleberry Stage

Sunday, August 18

Family Fun Day sponsored by KOFI/The Monster/The Lake radio stations Enjoy Family Admission of 2 Adults and 2 Children for Only $10

9 AM – 6 PM	Display Buildings Open
10 AM – 2 PM	Roboscout Squad	Expo Building
11 AM	Andrew Brozek	Huckleberry Stage
11 AM	Story Time w/the Animals	Small Animal Barn
11 AM – 7 PM	Commercial Exhibits Open	Grandstand Building
1 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
2 PM	Steve Merriam	Huckleberry Stage
3:30 PM	Dan Meyer Show	Huckleberry Stage
4:30 PM	Jeff Martin Magic Show	Huckleberry Stage
4 PM	Youth Rodeo	Grandstands Arena
6 PM	John Dunnigan has Done It Again	Huckleberry Stage

The fair closes Sunday with a family-friendly youth rodeo in the Grandstand arena. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages six to 12. Children age five and under will be admitted free of charge.

A limited number of discounted “Pay-One-Price” tickets for the carnival at the 2024 Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo are on sale now at all Whitefish Credit Union branches, the fairgrounds office and the CHS store in Kalispell.

Purchased in advance, the tickets cost $30 each and can be exchanged at carnival ticket booths for a wristband that allows one person unlimited rides on most attractions for one day. The tickets can be used any one day of the carnival from Aug. 13 and are the lowest priced way to experience the rides. Fairgoers can purchase the tickets until 5 p.m. on Aug. 12. Wristbands will also be available at all carnival ticket booths during the fair, but the price will be higher than the discounted tickets.

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 five 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.

Rusty Wright on Believe Me of Kesler Pro Rodeo at Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo Kalispell MT August 16th, 2018. Photo by Josh Homer/Burning Ember Photography.

THANK YOU for taking part in the NW Montana Fair & Rodeo – A 119 year tradition and growing.

Exploring Montana’s Best – August 13-18, 2024