Gold West Country Blog

Every summer since 1973, communities across Gold West Country have been treated to a phenomenal theatrical experience.  Montana State University partners with several Montana companies to bring live Shakespeare plays into local parks across the state.  Individual donations also help keep the events free.  We are fortunate to have world-class productions brought right into our towns.  So, grab a blanket or chairs, a picnic, family and friends, and enjoy a play outside, in our beautiful Montana summer.  This experience will make a Shakespeare lover out of anyone!  

Catch a play in Gold West Country:

July 16 The Merchant of Venice                 6:00 pm                Heritage Fun Park                            Townsend

July 25   The Merchant of Venice               6:00 pm                Washoe Park                                   Anaconda

July 26   The Merchant of Venice               6:00 pm                JayCee Park                                    Dillon

Aug. 1   Much Ado About Nothing              6:00 pm                Old Montana Prison Yard                   Deer Lodge

Aug. 2   The Merchant of Venice               6:00 pm                Philipsburg City Park                         Philipsburg

Aug. 4   The Merchant of Venice               6:00 pm                Jefferson County Fairgrounds             Boulder

Aug. 15  Much Ado About Nothing             6:30 pm                Pioneer Park                                    Helena

Aug. 16  The Merchant of Venice              6:30 pm                Pioneer Park                                    Helena

Sept. 2 Much Ado About Nothing               6:00 pm                Mural Park                                        Butte

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The National Folk Festival is a three day celebration of traditional performances, art and foods from around the world. It travels around the country, changing location every three years. Four years ago, organizers in Butte invited the National Folk Festival to Montana. Tens of thousands of visitors poured into Butte. The talent and wide range of performances amid Butte’s spectacular landmarks, and natural scenery awed locals and visitors alike. The result was a wildly successful event applauded by Montanans and tourists.

Although it is time for the National Festival to move to Nashville; in Butte, the party goes on. The last three years have taught organizers in Butte how to coordinate continuous performances on stages all across town and manage the hoards of people. They will use that knowledge this year during the new Montana Folk Festival on July 8, 9 and 10.  From the beginning, the plan was to continue a Folk Festival after the National one moved on, but the people of Butte have to be encouraged by the tremendous success of the last three years. They have over 250 performances booked, along with a multitude of vendors and countless volunteers. The event will run as smoothly as it has in the past. People who have been before probably won’t even notice the transition. The performances and demonstrations are the finest in the country and you are guaranteed to learn something new.           

Click on these links for more information about the Folk Festival and Butte.

Montana Folk Festival

Butte, Montana

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Majestic Trumpeter Swans faced extinction in the 1930s.  These massive birds weigh between 20 and 30 pounds with wingspans up to 8 feet and have an appetite to match their size.  Swans need 20 pounds of aquatic plants a day.  Ideal swan habitat can support a large population (they are very social in the spring), is undisturbed by human activity, and has open water year round.  Red Rock Lakes, in Gold West Country near Lima, meets all of those requirements. In 1935, the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect Trumpeter Swans as well as other waterfowl and migratory birds.  Montana is lucky to be home to such an aquatic paradise.  Everybody should take the opportunity to see the graceful swans glide, hear their haunting trumpet call ring across the water, and feel the rustle of beating wings as they take off.         

 Swans are not the only attraction at the Red Rock Lakes.  You might also get the chance to see moose, sandhill cranes, curlews, peregrine falcons, eagles, hawks and owls, badgers, wolverines, bears, antelope, wolves, Arctic grayling fish and west slope cutthroat trout.  Wildlife is abundant in this Refuge!  There are two primitive campsites near the lakes.  Accommodations can also be found in Lima.  

 Bring your camera and hiking shoes!  

 More information can be found at www.visitmt.com

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For many of us, a trip through stunning Montana would not be complete without our animal best friend at our side.  The abundance of outdoor adventures makes Gold West Country a canine paradise.  Cats might enjoy the car trips, too.  Although pets will love the destination, traveling can be stressful.  Here are a few things to keep in mind that will make the journey smoother for your pet (and you!)

•  Restrain your pet while driving.  It can be tempting to let your pet sit on your lap and enjoy the scenery while you drive, but the sad truth is that lives (human and animal) are lost every year by unrestrained animals in cars.  If the car suddenly swerves or stops your beloved pet could go flying through the air, injuring themselves and others.  Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure the safety of everyone in the car.  Crates, dividers (for SUVs) and even pet car seats are available to make sure both you and your pet arrive in Gold West Country safely. 

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You will not want to miss all the fun at Virginia City this weekend!  This Friday is the opening night of the Brewery Follies which is a musical and skit show.  Call 406-843-5218 for reservations.

Also, witness the historic discovery of Gold in Alder Gulch at 1 p.m. and visit with the people of the past.  Period correct costumed interpreters will teach you about Montana's early days. This is the first Living history weekend of the season and they will be held each weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Doug White, author of the Jake Winter Series will be signing books Friday from 2-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. at Rank’s Mercantile.

On Saturday is the Summer Kick-Off Parade at 1:30 p.m., the Virginia City's Illustrious Players opening day with the first show at 2 p.m., and the Annual Spring Horseback Poker Ride with registration at the Bale of Hay Saloon from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.  The Thompson-Hickman Museum/Visitors Center opens, and the Elling House Arts and Humanities Center will present "Crossing Boundaries: Musings on Bach in the Backcountry," a collaborative performance piece featuring professional violist, Jennifer Smith, and writer, Scott Friskics. The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. and admission is free.

One last thing you need to do is stop by the Virginia City Creamery and enjoy some real homemade ice cream or get some candy from the candy store!

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With the opening of the general stream-fishing season on May 21, it is time to get out and enjoy the great fishing that Gold West Country has to offer!  Check your fishing gear and make sure you have everything you need. Also, don’t forget to pick up a copy of the 2011 fishing regulations from the nearest Fish, Wildlife & Parks office or license provider.  A quick review of the fishing regulations is always a good idea. Regulation changes in Gold West Country for the 2011 fishing season include the following:

On Canyon Ferry Reservoir and on the Missouri River between the reservoir and Toston Dam, fishing for brown trout is catch and release only, except anglers 14 years of age and younger may keep one brown trout of any size daily and in possession. Also, on both of these waters, the walleye limit has been dropped to 10 daily, with no more than four over 16 inches and only one over 28 inches. The possession limit is twice the daily limit.  Northern pike limits in the upper Missouri River and reservoirs upstream from Holter Dam, and in the three tributaries to the Missouri — the Gallatin, Jefferson and Madison River below Ennis Dam—have been liberalized. There is no limit on northern pike.  From Canyon Ferry Dam to Hauser Dam, including Hauser Reservoir and Lake Helena, the walleye limit increased to 20 daily. Only one walleye may be over 28 inches. The yellow perch limit decreased to 25 daily.  From Hauser Dam to Holter Dam, the walleye limit increased to 10 daily, and all fish between 20 and 28 inches must be released. The yellow perch limit on Holter Reservoir has been decreased to 25 daily.

Certain locations are stocked with fish so kids can have positive fishing experiences.  In the Helena area, you can take your family to Spring Meadow Lake State Park off Montana Highway 12.  This is a popular place for young anglers to fish for largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, suckers, westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout.

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The Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is now open for tours and the summer program schedule has been made!  Cave tours are offered daily and Park naturalist, Tom Forwood, will lead the Thursday evening campground programs and Saturday wildflower walks. Friday evening programs are given by guest presenters, usually in the campground amphitheater.  For a summer program brochure, please call the park office at (406) 287-3541; or if you would like an e-mail version, email rarmstrong@mt.gov .

For visitors with disabilities, there is now a new option for a shortened version of the regular cave tour to view the lower portion of the cave.  A tour will be offered daily from June 1- August 15 at 2:30 p.m. To pre-register for this specialty tour, call the park at 287-3806. The cost will be $10 for anyone 12 years and older and $5 for ages 6-11 years.

Along with some first come, first served sites in the campground, there are also sites you can reserve.  If you wish to reserve a camping spot or cabin, call 1-855-922-6768 or go online to campmt.com or to the Reserve America website.

The park is also looking for a few good friends.  If you would like to join the Caverns Friends Group, please call the park office.  They are currently organizing a weed identification training and weed pull for National Trails Day on June 4th.  Come have some fun at this amazing park!

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Get ready to enjoy some fresh, locally grown foods!  Farmer’s markets in some communities of Gold West Country will soon be selling their Montana-made products.  The Helena Farmer’s Market is the first to begin this Saturday, April 30th.  You will typically find locally grown bedding plants, herbs, flowers and farm grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, along with crafts and baked goods.  Here are some communities and their schedules:

• The Boulder Farmer’s Market begins Saturday, June 18th from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Boulder City Park.
• The Butte Farmer’s Market begins Saturday, May 28th from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the corner of Park and Main Street.
• The Deer Lodge Farmer’s Market begins Sunday, July 10th from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at I-90 Exits 184 and 187, take Business 90 to the only stop light in town and the beginning of the 500 block of Main Street.
• The Dillon Farmer's Market begins Saturday, July 9th from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot.
• The Helena Farmer's Market begins Saturday, April 30th from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fuller Avenue between Neil Avenue and West Placer Avenue, adjacent to Women's Park.
• The Madison Farm to Fork Farmer's Market in Ennis begins Saturday, May 21st from 9 a.m.-noon at the Lone Elk Mall on Main Street.
• The Twin Bridges Farmer's Market begins Saturday, May 21st from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Main Street Park.
• The Whitehall Farmer's Market begins Saturday, June 4th from 9 a.m.-noon, six blocks from I-90. Take a left on Legion Street and it begins east of the fish pond.

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Here's what Dan Stinson had to say in the Clark Fork Chronicle about the upcoming Helena Railroad Fair:

It's springtime in the Northern Rockies, and once again a youth's fancy turns to . . . Trains! Once again, as they have for 31 years, men and women of all ages will gather April 17 at the Helena Civic Center in Helena, Montana, for the 31st Annual Helena Railroad Fair.

This year, in deference to the traditions of Easter, the show will occur on the 17th of April. Once more, as they have for decades, young and old alike will gather to buy, sell, swap, show and enjoy trains of all sizes and kinds. Doors will open at 9:30 and remain until about 4. Admission is still only $3 for adults and under 12 are free.

There will be BIG trains, little trains, whimsical trains like Thomas and trains so real you'll swear you can smell the hot valve oil. There will be books, toys, models, photos, paperwork of all kinds, railroad china and silverware, collectibles and tinplate. There will be operating trains, trains to watch and people to talk with about trains and other transportation related equipment.

The Helena Railroad Fair is one of the oldest and certainly the largest of such gatherings in the Inland Northwest and Northern Rockies, drawing vendors from across Montana, from Sidney to Kalispell, from Conrad to Dillon, and from as far away as Washington, Colorado, Utah and beyond.

You don't need an excuse to come to this celebration of steel wheel on steel rail. You don't need to bring your lunch either, as the wonderful ladies who provide the concessions will return once again with their various delights.

If that isn't enough, be sure to register for the train set given away to one lucky winner.

This gathering only happens once a year in Helena, drawing people from all across the region. The show is generally the last Sunday in April and is scheduled through 2014. But you don't want to wait until then, do you? Come join us this year, and bring your memories and your sense of adventure.

For more information, contact Helena Railroad Fair, PO Box 4914, Helena, MT 59604-4914, or email rrfair@mt.net.

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On Saturday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m., the Elling House Arts & Humanities Center and the Thompson-Hickman County Library will co-host a program and book signing by Gary Forney, author of the recently published book It Takes All Kinds. The program is open to the public and will be held at Virginia City’s historic Elling House; located one block behind the fire station.

It Takes All Kinds was a project begun by the late Dick Pace, local historian and long-time journalist. The book blends history with humor and tragedy in the stories of the famous and infamous, along with those relatively unknown personalities who played a role in the life of Virginia City. Among those profiled in the book are “Jack” Slade, the Chinese of Virginia City, Charlie Bovey, and the early gold miners of Alder Gulch.

Copies of It Takes All Kinds are now available through local bookstores, or by contacting the Thompson-Hickman County Library in Virginia City (406-843-5346).

All proceeds from the sale of the book are being donated to the library’s building addition project.

The March 12 program kicks-off a series of monthly presentations by Montana authors and poets to be hosted by the Elling House. Watch for program announcements, or visit the website for a complete schedule at ellinghouse.org.

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