Summer Arts Festival

July 19 2019

Billings & Eastern Montana

Art in the Park – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 29 at the Northeast Montana Veterans’ Memorial in Fort Peck; artists and artisans sell their fine art, fine crafts and home businesses wares. Food, entertainment and a Bouncy House for kids are also part of the event, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Historic Fort Peck Summer Theatre. Call 406-230-0148 or visit Wheatgrassarts.com.

Art in the Beartooths – 9 a.m.-9 p.m. July 13 at Lions Club Park in Red Lodge; the Carbon County Art Guild’s 46th annual even helps the organization continue providing arts programing throughout the year. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. when 25 artists will join Signature Artists Sonja Caywood, Terry Cooke Hall and Marcia Selsor to create art for the live auction in the evening. The ticketed part of the event opens at 4 p.m. in Lions Park with an art preview, cash bar and live music, followed by dinner, silent and live auctions and a raffle. The arts guild also hosts the annual Labor Day Arts Fair, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 2, which showcases the art and fine crafts from more than 90 artists. Call 406-446-1370 or visit www.carboncountydepotgallery.org.

Summerfair 41 – July 12-14 at Rimrock Mall in Billings; the Yellowstone Art Museum’s event features more than 100 of the region’s best artists and craftspeople, plus community groups and food vendors. Summerfair Eve launches the 41st annual event Friday at its new venue with a concert in the parking lot. The event typically attracts more than 10,000 people over three days. Vendors offer painting, pottery, art from nature, glass, wood, metal, fiber art, photography, body products and artisan foods. Call 406-256-6804 or visit www.artmuseum.org.

Sunrise Festival of the Arts – 8 a.m. July 13 at Veterans Memorial Park in Sidney; the festival connects local and regional artists, craftspeople, and authors with shoppers and arts enthusiasts. Call 406-433-1916 or visit sidneymt.com.

Mexican Fiesta – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 20 at South Park in Billings; Mary Queen of Peace Parish sponsors the 66th annual celebration, which includes an authentic Mexican meal, kids’ games, a silent auction, craft and food vendors, dancing, singing and music. The 23rd annual Fiesta Car Show attracts more than 100 classic, stock and custom cars (406-628-8872). Festivities continue at 8 p.m. at the Billings Hotel Ballroom with a dance, featuring music by Tejano Outlaws. Call 406-670-7667 for details.

Central Montana

Choteau Summer Festival – 9 a.m. July 3 in the Choteau City Park; annual art-in-the-park affair, sponsored by the Choteau Soroptimists, features dozens of fine art and handcrafts vendors, along with lively entertainment and a duck race. Call 406-466-2706 for details.

Chalk Up Helena! Sidewalk Chalk Art Event – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 20 on the Trolley Block of the Walking Mall on Historic Last Chance Gulch; fun, art and prizes for artists of all ages and levels (amateur to professional) abound at the 12th annual event, sponsored by the Helena Public Art Committee. Call 406-443-8493 or visit www.helenapublicarts.com.

Flathead & Mission Valleys

Summer ArtFest at Whitefish – June 28-30 at Cypress Yard in Whitefish; mingle with artists from across the West, watch a live Quick Draw, listen to panel discussions and participate in a live auction featuring famed auctioneer Troy Black during the inaugural event. Call 406-755-2727 or visit summerartfestwhitefish.com.

Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead Summer Show – July 5-7 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell; local artists and crafters join cohorts from western states in the 36th annual show. Call 406-881-4288 or visit artistsandcraftsmen.org.

Whitefish Arts Festival – July 5-7 at Depot Park in Whitefish; artists from around the Northwest sell high-quality art and fine crafts during the 40th annual fair, sponsored by the Whitefish Christian Academy. Call 406-862-5875 or visit www.whitefishartsfestival.org.

Arts in the Park – July 12-14 at Depot Park in Kalispell; more than 100 local and visiting artists and craftsmen offer a vast array of unique, high-quality works at the Hockaday Museum’s 51st annual juried event. Call 406-755-5268 or visit www.hockadaymuseum.org.

Artists in Paradise – July 18-20 at the Paradise Center; The Sanders County Arts Council’s sixth annual event features new and returning artists, plus exhibits and demonstrations. Call 406-826-8585 or visit www.sanderscountyarts.org.

Flathead Lake Festival of Art – July 27-28 at Sacajawea Park in Polson; the fifth annual juried show features original fine art and craft by talented artisans from Montana and beyond. The Sandpiper Art Gallery also sponsors the 48th annual Sandpiper Art Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 10 on the shady lawn of the Lake County Courthouse; browse original works by artists and artisans from around the region, while musicians and dancers entertain. Call 406-883-5956 or visit www.sandpiperartgallery.com.

Huckleberry Days Arts Festival – Aug. 9-11 at Depot Park in Whitefish; more than 120 vendors of handmade fine art and crafts, a huckleberry dessert bake-off contest, and community entertainment are part of the 30th annual festival. Call 406-862-3501 or visit www.whitefishchamber.org.

Missoula & Bitterroot Valley

Art in the Park – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 27 at American Legion Park in Hamilton; the park overflows with handmade wonders during the Bitter Root Arts Guild’s annual art and craft show. Call 406-381-3240 or 360-6670.

MADE fair Marketplace Western Montana Fair – Aug. 7-11 at the Western Montana Fairgrounds; more than 65 artisans per day share their creations in the historic commercial building. The revolving collection of artists encourages those visiting the fair to come back and see which new artists are being showcased. The fair also highlights a local non-profit and an artist in residence, and hosts a Make and Take Zone for kids. Call 406-214-9078 or visit handmademontana.com.

Bozeman & Southwest Montana

Festival of the Arts – July 2-4 at Depot Rotary Park in Livingston; nearly 100 fine artists and artisans share handcrafted wares during the Livingston Depot Center’s annual juried show. Food, fun, and the famous Depot pie booth are also part of the annual affair, which coincides with the popular Livingston Roundup rodeo and the downtown parade. Call 406-222-2300 or visit livingstondepot.org.

Art in Washoe Park: 40-year Blowout – July 19-21 in Washoe Park in Anaconda; annual juried art show, sponsored by Copper Village Museum and Arts Center, brings 85 juried art and crafts booths to the scenic park. Ethnic foods and professional entertainment are offered all three days, including the Ken Rich Band and Tim Montana on Friday; Tom Catmull and the Last Resort, Wayne Bother and The Night Life and Steve Kelly and Cherry Cherry Band on Saturday; and Shodown on Sunday. Call 406-563-2422 or visit cvmac.org.

Virginia City Art Show – July 26-28 at the Community Hall in Virginia City; see art displays from across Montana and around the Northwest during the annual juried show. Saturday night brings the ever-popular Quick Draw, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Elks. Call 406-843-5555 or visit virginiacity.com.

Sweet Pea Festival – Aug. 2-4 at Lindley Park in Bozeman; giant arts festival boasts music of all genres, performances by local theatre and dance troupes, workshops, family-friendly entertainment and activities, a flower show, beer and wine gardens, and over 100 arts and crafts vendors. Pre-festival events include Chalk on the Walk July 30 and Bite of Bozeman July 31. Call 406-586-4403 or visit sweetpeafestival.org.

Summer SLAM Festival – Aug. 3-4 at Bogert Park in Bozeman; artists from across the state exhibit their work while performers grace the stage at the ninth annual family-friendly event. Visit slamfestivals.org.

Madison Valley Arts Festival – 10 a.m.-
5 p.m. Aug. 10 at Peter T’s Park in Ennis; the Ennis Arts Association’s 24th annual event features features 48 juried artist booths, live music, food, face painting and an art raffle. Learn more at ennisarts.org.

(Photos): “Prairie Herald” by Sonja Caywood, one of the Signature Artists at this year’s Art in the Beartooths.

Sweet Pea Festival: Music, theatre, dance and art in the shady environs of Lindley Park.

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