Stevensville Western Heritage Days is back after a pandemic-induced hiatus. The committee is hoping this will be a banner year for attendance as people turn out to celebrate making it through a super challenging year and can now gather and enjoy this popular local festival. The festival, the 32nd annual, will be held Friday and Saturday, June 25 and 26.
Events kick off on Friday with the annual rummage sale at the Stevensville Historical Museum and the 50-Mile Garage Sale which will have locations throughout Stevensville. The Chuck Wagon Camp will set up at Priest Park at the west end of Ravalli Street. People can check out the wagons and watch the wagon judging followed by the Kids’ Cooking Competition at 6 p.m. Then enjoy live music with Bill LaCroix and friends at the camp.
This year the “Pie in the Big Sky” pie auction will be held on the Stevensville Hotel lawn on Friday at 6:30 p.m. People can come and have a glass of wine and bid on dozens of pies of all flavors and types, both edible and non-edible. All proceeds this year will go towards the Stevensville Splash Pad.
Saturday’s fun begins with the expanded farmers market and craft fair at 3rd and Main. The Museum rummage sale and 50-Mile Garage Sale continue all day. There will be pony rides for the kids at the farmers market and the fire department will offer free rides on the antique fire engine on Saturday afternoon. American Legion Post 94 will be selling barbecued chicken to go at Veterans Park starting at 10:30 a.m. until sold out for all the 50-Mile Garage Salers that will be coming through Stevensville.
The Chuck Wagon Cook-off takes place at Priest Park from 8 a.m. to 12 noon with meals served to the public from 12:30 to 1 p.m. (Tickets available online at www.bitterrootstar.com) Horse-drawn wagons will take people to and from downtown to Priest Park between 11 a.m. and 3 pm.
St. Mary’s Mission will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days with tours available. A Salish cultural presentation with drumming and dancing starts at 1 p.m.
Families won’t want to miss “Cowboy Andy & The Salamanders” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the 3rd Street stage across from the Stevensville Hotel. The beer garden on the hotel lawn and the food court on E. 3rd will open at 12 noon. Kids’ bounce house, climbing wall and other fun activities will be open in the Rocky Mountain Bank parking lot from 2 to 10 p.m.
“Outlaws and Lawmen” will perform on the 3rd Street stage from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Rounding out the evening will be “Annalisa Rose” from 7 to 10 p.m. This rising star is returning to her hometown from Nashville to do this special performance that you won’t want to miss. She will be performing with the Bourbon Boys and special guest Caroline McCarty.
Stevensville Western Heritage Days is brought to you by major sponsors: A2Z Personnel, First Security Bank, Farmers State Bank and Ammo and More; as well as many other local businesses. All proceeds will benefit the Kids Backpack Programs at Stevensville and Lone Rock Schools. The Backpack Programs provide food for students to take home on the weekends to make sure they don’t go hungry. There will be a food drive for the backpack program all weekend and during the week following Western Heritage Days. Look for the little chuck wagons at Burnt Fork Market, Super 1 Foods and on the corner of 3rd & Main in front of Valley Drug.