fair

MontanaFair returns on Friday at MetraPark in Billings.  The massive annual event, which runs from Aug. 11 to Aug. 19, draws about 230,000 people for eight days of entertainment, agricultural displays, livestock shows, rodeo, food and carnival rides, making MontanaFair the state’s biggest attraction...

In 2014, three North Star vending booths were shut down at the Western Montana Fair after large quantities of meat were found that had not been refrigerated for multiple days. Since then, the Missoula City-County Health Department has been monitoring the vendors, and, according to Fairground Director Todd Garrett, they will be back serving food in 2016...

If you're into handmade items, you might want to check out the Fair Trade Market this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Depot. These markets happen all over the country and allow artisans from predominantly impoverished nations to earn a living by selling their crafts at a fair wage...

I've ridden lots of thrill rides, but for some reason I just can't seem to get the nerve to ride the Sling Shot. I'm not sure if it's the fear of death, the fear of looking like an ass on YouTube from screaming, passing out, or even worse...

If you were one of the more than 12,000 spectators at last year's three-day rodeo event at MontanaFair, you got to see some of the best riders and ropers in the business. With 536 cowboys in competition for big purses, 2014 was a record-setting year and an exciting show for fans of all ages.

As always, MontanaFair will have some famous names on the event line up. Like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, and country crooner Martina McBride. Those will no doubt be great shows, but don't underestimate the entertainment value in the not-so-famous category: The talent show...

Most men seem to think they're a pro on the grill even if they're not so great in the kitchen. It might actually be true for some, but only a select few have the skills to back up the talk and they get paid handsomely for it. This year, the Montana State BBQ competition heads to MontanaFair and gives area grill masters a chance to shine...

Montana Fair is coming in August and one of my favorite yearly rituals is to get a grease soaked sack of deep fried cheese curds from a pimply faced teenager on the midway. Over the years carnival venders have battered and dipped almost everything into boiling oil in an attempt to thin the herd of fair goers via heart failure...