Bair Family Museum Opens

Posted on:
May 05, 2008

Grab your Montana map, find White Sulphur Springs and then Harlowton to the east. In the middle of that stretch you'll find a small town named Martinsdale and nearby is the Bair Family Museum. At first glance, the Bair Family Museum appears to be an extra large ranch home with well manicured yard. Let's just say its all that and much, much more.

Your first stop at the Museum will be at the Visitor Center housed in the former barn. Just looking through displays at the Visitor Center is a treat but it is really just the beginning. All tours through the eclectic home are led by docents who pass along history and trivia about the "Bair girls", Alberta and Marguerite, their lifestyle, and how the ranch began with their father, Charlie Bair.

Western culture, Native American culture and European culture all blend in the home's furnishings. Visitors will see French furniture, English silver, Western paintings, Indian artifacts and Chinese porcelain. One could say the Bair girls loved to shop!

The Bair Family Museum, located just off Highway 12, is open May 1 - Sept 30. For the months of May and September, tours are given Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 5pm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day the Museum is open seven days a week, same hours. The last tour begins at 4pm.

For more information call 406-572-3314 or visit http://www.russell.visitmt.com/listings/9712.htm to see a photo slide show of the Museum.

Boots, Brews & BBQ

Posted on:
April 14, 2008

The 2nd Annual Boots, Brews & BBQ will be held Saturday, July 5, 2008 on the Library and Museum grounds in Hobson, MT. The event features beer and wine tasting, gourmet food and unique events.

To commemorate the Women's Nail Driving contest from Hobson's 5th Anniversary celebration in 1913, a "Nailcutta" will feature five teams of women nail pounders.

An auction and music will round out this fun-filled evening in rural Montana. For more information about Hobson's Boots, Brews & BBQ visit http://www.hobsonreunion.com/

Mothering Up Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Posted on:
April 10, 2008

Mothering Up, a gathering of cowboy poets and pickers, will take place in White Sulphur Springs, MT over Mother's Day weekend May 9 - 11, 2008. Well known cowboy poets will entertain in two separate venues.

Daytime poetry and music events are free and there is a small charge to attend evening concerts.

For more details visit http://www.russell.visitmt.com/listings/15976.htm

Cowboy Poets, Western Musicians and Artists

Posted on:
March 28, 2008

Plans are underway for the 23rd Annual Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Western Music Rendezvous and Art & Gear Show to be held in Lewistown, Montana at the Yogo Inn August 15, 16 & 17, 2008.

The Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering is the second oldest cowboy poetry gathering in the United States and is listed in the travel book "1,000 Places to See in the US and Canada Before You Die".

This year's gathering will feature a welcome BBQ for poets, musicians and vendors followed by hourly poetry and music sessions Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be a free Art & Gear Show all three days of the gathering. A Jam 'n Dance is scheduled for Friday night and a concert is on tap for Saturday night. Sunday will have a Cowboy Church Service and a Cowboy Poetry Dinner Train on board the Charlie Russell Chew Choo.

For more information visit www.lewistownartcenter.org or call 406-535-8278.

Birding in North Central Montana

Posted on:
March 26, 2008
Russell Country recently published a comprehensive birding trail brochure titled Wings Across the Big Sky. There are 12 specific routes described in the brochure noting highlighted species, habitats, driving directions, facilities available and contact information for each route.

Diversity of bird species is most notable in this region of Montana. On some birding trails there are fewer than 30 miles between the prairies and the continental divide. Others have lakes, prairie marshes, fens and rivers to attract birds. Several island mountain ranges are also scattered throughout the area.

East and West mix in this area of Montana giving bird watchers from both sides of the country a chance to see something new. American dipper and rock wren would be a treat for Easterners while brown thrasher, upland sandpiper, ovenbird and alder flycatcher offer variety for Westerners.

Spring offers the chance for two different bird events in Russell Country. The snow goose migration brings tens of thousands of birds to Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area near Fairfield, Montana along the Rocky Mountain Front. Snow geese numbers are building and should continue to grow until early April. Tundra swans are currently on the water along with strong numbers of pintails. The snow geese are resting and feeding while on their way to summer nesting grounds farther north. According to MT Fish, Wildlife & Park officials, the snow geese are later this year due to spring weather conditions. Best times to view the geese are at dawn when they lift off for the nearby grain fields and at 10 AM when they return. A similar feeding schedule also happens around 4 PM when they once again go in search of food.

The second notable bird watching event is when the sharp-tailed grouse do their courtship dances. Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge a few miles north of Great Falls has a blind that can be reserved for viewing this spectacle.

To receive a copy of the birding brochure call Montana's Russell Country at 800-527-5348.

29th Annual Ice Breaker Road Race

Posted on:
March 17, 2008

The annual Ice Breaker Road Race is Sunday, April 27, 2008 in downtown Great Falls, MT. This event, named by Runners World magazine in their Top 100 Road Races in the US, attracts a variety of participants ranging from elite runners to families out for a walk under Montana’s beautiful big sky.

All racers will be chip timed. Long sleeved tee shirts are available for those registered and fee discounts are given for family registrations. Recruit a walking buddy, encourage your family and start training for this great event that is both recreational and competitive!

For prior event photos and current registration information visit http://www.russell.visitmt.com/listings/9222.htm

Great Falls Becomes Western Art Capital

Posted on:
March 17, 2008

The month of March turns Great Falls, Montana into an art mecca. The C. M. Russell Art Auction is the oldest show in town but others have created their own niche. The Great Falls Native American Art Show March 13 – 16, 2008 will feature over 35 Native American artists. The show is held downtown at the Great Falls Civic Center. http://www.russell.visitmt.com/listings/12428.htm

Local sculptor Jay Contway’s show, held at Montana Expo Park March 13 – 16, 2008, unites many artists who work in a variety of media. Bronzes, oils, pastels, woodwork, leather work and jewelry will all be displayed http://www.russell.visitmt.com/listings/10790.htm

Another long-time annual event, the Western Heritage Artists Association Art Show, is held at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls March 12 – 16, 2008. Seminars, an amazing variety of artwork and a Quick Finish are all open to the public. http://www.westernheritageartshow.com/

Winter in Northcentral Montana

Posted on:
March 17, 2008

Great snow, mild temperatures and unique events – it doesn’t get much better. There’s still time to head out and enjoy winter in northcentral Montana.

Showdown Ski Area, located about 65 miles southeast of Great Falls, has 62 inches of the white stuff at the mountain summit. Saturday, April 5 will find some creative skiers, hand crafted mannequins, launched into the air for Showdown’s annual Mannequin Jump http://www.russell.visitmt.com/listings/12425.htm You still have time to build your own mannequin!

Located on the Front Range of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Teton Pass Ski Area is 30 miles west of the charming town of Choteau. Enjoy 26 trails and other winter recreation in the area http://skitetonpass.com/

Bear Paw Ski Area, 29 miles south of Havre, Montana on the Chippewa Cree Recreation Area, is open weekends for affordable family skiing. http://skimt.com/dhski/skiarea.asp?display=&skiarea=1

Snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are also available. http://www.russell.visitmt.com/winter/ Pack your bags and plan your next visit to Montana's Russell Country.

40th Annual C. M. Russell Art Auction

Posted on:
February 26, 2008
The C.M. Russell Auction will be held March 12-15, 2008 at the Best Western Heritage Inn in Great Falls, Montana. Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the Auction is named for famed cowboy artist Charles Marion Russell, a man whose passion for life, fun-loving nature, and sincere interest in the world around him are evident in the nearly 4,000 works of art he completed in his lifetime.

Meet C.M. Russell

The Auction

• Auction festivities begin Wednesday, March 12 with Charlie’s Party and the Exhibit Room Premiere. Both events are open to the public and give art lovers and Auction participants the chance to view more than 100 art exhibit rooms, as well as the opportunity to celebrate the man for whom the Auction is named.
• Friday morning’s Chuckwagon Brunch and Awards Ceremony combine fabulous food with the presentation of Auction awards.
• This year’s seminars promise to be both informational and entertaining. In honor of the Auction’s 40^th year, founder Norma Ashby will present a special seminar detailing the 40-year history, complete with videos and special guests. Also scheduled to present a seminar is Honored Guest Artist Martin Grelle.
• The Quick Draw, one of the most popular Auction events, precedes the main Auctions on both Friday and Saturday. Auction-goers watch 12 artists create works of art in a one-hour time period. The pieces are then sold before the main Auction with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the C.M. Russell Museum.

• A Patron ticket is $200 per person for all Auction events and includes reserved seating, a special reception, early admittance into the quick draws, and a full-color Auction catalog.
• A Reserve ticket is $150 per person for all Auction events, reserved seating, and a full-color catalog. A one-night Reserve ticket for either Friday or Saturday’s auction and quick draw is $100 which includes reserved seating and a full-color catalog.
• Catalogs are $50 if purchased at the door or $55 if mailed.