Missoula, Mi-zoo-lah: It’s a name that trips off the tongue singingly. And I’m hearing it sung through the travel grapevine that it’s where in Montana you want to be the last weekend of this month and the first weekend of September, for two very different reasons.
First, on the weekend of August 29 and 30, it’ll be time to put down your fishing pole, hang up your hiking shoes, get off your high horse (or llama), and come on down to Missoula for the fourth annual River City Roots Festival, which is absolutely free for all who attend!
While this friendly university town is surrounded by thick forests and freshwater lakes that call for outdoor recreation, you’ll be missing out if you don’t head downtown for two days filled with fun and music. Just by the band names alone, I want to go: Cash for Junkers (a timely name), Reverend Slanky (an even better name, in my opinion, would be Reverend Slinky), Great American Taxi, Donna the Buffalo, Trampled by Turtles (now that would be a slow process), and Hot Buttered Rum (mmmm, buttered rum) are among the bands listed on the roster. You’ll hear everything from bluegrass and country punk to acoustic rock and Cajun.
But what about the children? Well, there’s plenty for them, too. I hear there will be free guitar lessons, a gymnastics obstacle course, a magic show, a high school marching band, and much more. Plus, on Sunday, there will be a four-mile run/walk that’s essentially open to all ages. The first-prize winner will win $300, a trip to Vegas, and bragging rights, of course. And, if you’re into checking out the local art scene, 40 artists will be on display for the juried art show.
If you can’t make it over to Missoula for the festival, however, consider spending an all-American Labor Day weekend in River City with the Osprey baseball team instead. The city’s minor league team will be playing their final home series of the regular season with fireworks, family specials, super deals, fan appreciation events, and much more from September 4 through 9. I hear these guys are fantastic, the crowd is fun, and for the bang of the bat, it’s a great bang for your buck.
Been to Missoula or Montana before? What else do you recommend?
Comments
Aug 18, 2009
For a great new Missoula restaurant, try Cafe Dolce. Really cool architecture, including a ceiling mural that looks like it must have taken months to paint. Nice outdoor patio that is perfect for summer dinners. Good wine and beer lists, and a great lamb burger...