Bozeman is the region of Montana to head for around the time of July. At least if you would like to experience the thrill and excitement of the Big Sky Country State Fair, that is.
A Guide to the Big Sky Country State Fair
The fair is a crowd-drawing, 5-day event that is something of a local institution and contains a wide variety of family fun. The gates open at 11 am and close at 11 pm daily throughout the event, which winds up at 6 pm on Sunday, July 24.
Visitors can enjoy nationally recognized talent on the evening concert shows as the Silver Bullet Stage and the Treasure State Stage play host to a variety of acts throughout the weekend.
On top of that, there is the Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo which brings with it over a century’s worth of tradition. Aside from all the usual traditions and attractions at the fair like the rodeo, concerts, prize pigs, and giant corn dogs, the state fair wouldn’t be complete without rides and rollercoasters.
The fair has somewhere in the region of over 20 rides to enjoy, but visitors should keep in mind that adult rides and children’s rides are in different areas.
The fair this year was bigger and better and featured plenty of new additions to the fun such as duck racing, a reptile show, a monster truck show, and an 80-foot high dive.
Along with the various other new additions, there is also another new factor this year as the Big Sky Country State Fair introduces its own mobile app to inform visitors of the proceedings and help them navigate the events and the space.
Tickets for the fair are sold on the Gallatin County Fairgrounds website, and you can get to the fairground in Bozeman from Oak Street by the Baseball Stadium, where parking is available.
Main Attractions
There is a wide range of attractions to suit all-comers, from morning until late. Check the website for details and updates prior to events.
Musical Attractions:
The Anderson Arena stage is where the headlining acts perform and it is usually the center of attention for three consecutive nights.
This year saw the return of the Silver Bullet Stage with nightly performances by local bands. Aside from that the Treasure State Stage and the new Fair Market Stage host daily performances.
Rides and Other Attractions
The fair can expect as many as twenty different rides which often include new attractions. This year the Monster Truck Show was one of them held in the motorsports arena next to Anderson Arena.
The Fair will feature various fun-filled and animal-packed activities in the Morrison-Maierle Pardners Corral! And if you head over to the motorsports area you’ll see the Mud Bog and a few other choice events and activities.
Of course, it just would not be a fair without a few moves in the direction of the livestock barn. Some events have animals in the barns for the whole week.
This year the latest new addition was part of Flying Fools High Dive, which sees willing divers leap from metal platforms attached to a metal tower at heights between 10 and 80 feet, over a pool that is just less than 10 feet deep.
A regular and popular attraction at the country fair is the Roundup Ranch Rodeo which brings with it over a century’s worth of tradition and is held on Saturday, July 23rd.
On Sunday you can expect events and activities like the Barnyard Brawl. A few other regulars include the Mutton Bustin’, the Calf Scramble, and of course for the kids—the Chicken Chase!
A market usually starts things off at around 8 a.m. every day. Visitors to the event can also expect dancing, duck racing, canine events, and a few involving other creatures like reptiles and much more.
Costs and Pricing for the Fair and Events
Tickets for the fair and concerts can be purchased online. General admission ticket prices are usually in the region of $12.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $5.00 for youth.
If you want to cover the concert as well, the full price is necessary. This is usually somewhere between $40.00 and $60.00 depending on the act—but it also includes admission to the fair.
Details:
- Address: Gallatin County Fairgrounds, 901 North Black, Bozeman, T 59715
- Phone: 406 582 3270
- Date: July 19-23 (2023), 11 am-6 pm
- Website: https://gallatincountyfairgrounds.com/state-fair