Thursday’s Shows, Exhibits & Events:

7:30AM
4-H/FFA Market Hog Judging (livestock pavilion)

9AM
Rodeo Slack Competition presented by PRCA & WPRA - FREE Admission (Clouse Bauer Arena)

10 AM
Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium Opens - walk-ins welcome, tickets also available online (G.W. Marks Exploration Center)
Rodeo Slack Competition presented by PRCA & WPRA - FREE Admission (Clouse Bauer Arena)

11AM – FAIR OPENS
Exhibit Halls, Fair & Fair Office opens
Rocky Mountain Gardens opens
Rodeo Slack Competition presented by PRCA & WPRA - FREE Admission (Clouse Bauer Arena)

11:30AM
DAR's Young Artist Studio: Shape Art (commercial building) 

12PM – CARNIVAL OPENS
Paxon, The PaddleHead Appearance  (historic plaza)
Carnival Opens (carnival lot)
Rodeo Slack Competition presented by PRCA & WPRA - FREE Admission (Clouse Bauer Arena)

1PM
Paxon, The PaddleHead Appearance  (historic plaza)
Horse Connection Zone Arena Prep (Clouse Bauer Arena)

1:30PM
FREE Insect Predator Feeding (Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium Byron Weber Classroom, G.W. Marks Exploration Center)

2PM – NEW! COMMUNITY SHOWCASE OPENS
Special Olympics Demonstration (historic plaza)
Play Piano Performance (community showcase stage)
4-H/FFA Market Lamb Judging (livestock pavilion)
Horse Connection Zone: Polo 101 presented by MSU Polo (Clouse Bauer Arena)

3PM
Fermentation Demonstration with Bacteria Bazaar (historic plaza)
UM Circus Club Performance (community showcase stage)
Horse Connection Zone: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work presented by Texas Spirit Riders (Clouse Bauer Arena)

4PM
Common Edible & Medicinal Plants Presentation with Green Path Herb School (historic plaza)
Container Wars Gardening Competition (community showcase stage)
Horse Connection Zone: Polo Demo presented by MSU Polo (Clouse Bauer Arena)

4:30PM
DAR's Young Artist Studio: Shape Art (commercial building) 

5PM
4-H/FFA Market Beef Judging (livestock pavilion)
Rocky Mountain Ballet Theater Performance (historic plaza)
Chinese Cultural Performance with Montessori Plus International (community showcase stage)
Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium closes
Horse Connection Zone Closes for Rodeo Prep (Clouse Bauer Arena)

5:30PM
Gates Open for Missoula Stampede Rodeo (Clouse Bauer Arena)

6PM
Friction Fire Demonstration with Montana Folk School (historic plaza)
Rocky Mountain Gardens closes

7PM – RODEO
Tough Enough To Wear Pink - Missoula Stampede Rodeo presented by Epic Steel (Clouse Bauer Arena)

8PM
Fair Office Closes
9PM – FREE LIVE MUSIC
FREE Live Music by Joan Zen (fairway plaza)

10PM
Buildings, Barns & Carnival closes

FREE Lake Bottom Bash Activities, All Day, Thursday
Join us on the first floor of the Commercial Building on August 7th with the Big Sky Fiber Arts Guild and the Missoula Weavers Guild for an opportunity to explore the art of creating beautiful textures and patterns. Engage with educational displays and live demonstrations showcasing various techniques, including quilting, spinning, embroidery, sewing, weaving, and felting. Additionally, a selection of exquisite handmade items will be available for purchase, allowing you to take home a unique piece of art.  

FREE ACTIVITY TABLES
Be sure to check out these free fun activities as well from 11am-10pm daily, Join the Preserve Historic Montana for an exciting historical scavenger hunt that promises treasure for everyone! Stop by Missoula Resists to participate in a creative visioning art activity, complete with coloring pages and tasty snacks. Don't miss the chance to admire a breathtaking quilted masterpiece from The Montana Trans Quilt Project. Hang out with Scouting America Counsel where you can challenge your Lego skills by building and racing your very own Lego car! Swing by Forward Montana to register to vote and take a spin on the wheel for a chance to win some awesome prizes. While you're there, connect with the Zootown Arts Community Center (The ZACC), Missoula’s nonprofit arts hub. Join local artists and performers for free interactive art activities! Test your knowledge at ACLU Montana for some exciting trivia.