By Emily Stifler, Explorebigsky.com Managing Editor
BIG SKY – The Big Sky Chamber of Commerce is going all out for the Country Fair this year. There will be a poi fire dancer, a live glass blower, an 18-foot tall water slide for all ages, a street artist painting a live mural, cotton candy, and a high heeled race—something the event’s organizer says is rarely ever done outside of New York City.
“The goal is to bring more people to the event,” said Robin Brower-McBride, programs and membership director for the Chamber and the driving force behind the 32nd annual Country Fair. “We’re really trying to do something different.”
Brower-McBride has also set up a mechanical bull, free pony rides and an art gallery where anyone between ages 3 – 18 can submit work to be exhibited. Feeling artsy? Get your face painted or get a henna tattoo.
Instead of just the usual bouncy house, there will be a full-on obstacle course on bouncy house material. There will be stations for kids to make dream catchers, chimes and other crafts.
Grizzly Outfitters will teach fly casting for .25 a cast and a chance to win prizes. The school Booster Club and the Chamber will host a car wash, raising money for middle and high school sports uniforms.
“Trailers, bikes, cars—everything from your campers to your bicycle, we’ll wash it,” Brower-McBride said.
And don’t miss a chance to dunk your old (or current boss) in the dunk tank, a fundraiser for the Big Sky Community Corp. that will send prominent community figures into the drink.
Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, a Bozeman-based nonprofit that’s been wildly successful in its first year, will be there, signing outdoor recreationists up for trips and helping them give back to science. There will also be a chance to check out live Birds of Prey from the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.
Food vendors will include a “choo-choo train BBQ smoker,” a real brick oven pizza, and popcorn made fresh on-site out of a true copper kettle!” Brower-McBride said.
“The bands will rock, with four instead of three this year and one, local favorite will be plucking their mandolins along the parade route arriving via float!” she added. “The energy will be high!”
As usual, the event is free.
“It’s something we do for the community,” Brower-McBride said. “I’d like to see it be successful. We want people to believe in it!”
