Montana State Fair

About the Event

Montana's State Fair is held every year in Great Falls, and it's what you'd expect from a State Fair – musical acts, rodeo, exhibits, horse racing, rides, animals, and the FOOD! Some of that unique to Great Falls fair food is the Son's of Norway Viking (think of it as a huge fried meatball) and a Cow Pie, which is a deep-fried burger. Check back for the artists that will be playing this year's fair – it's always top-level talent coming to the Four Seasons Arena.

Schedule of Events

Carnival

Our traveling show, The Mighty Thomas Carnival, presents thrilling rides, fun games, and tasty carnival treats at Montana ExpoPark for the 28th straight year. Founded in 1928 in Lennox, South Dakota, by Art B. Thomas, the show now winters near Austin, Texas, and is providing its 91st season of summer fun and excitement for fair-goers at 51 events in 12 states.

Iowa
Minnesota
Montana before arriving in Great Falls
Nebraska
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Dakota

The Beach Party
The Beach Party, a two-level walk-through, laugh-throughout, funhouse makes its first appearance at State Fair this year. Built by Owen Custom Trailers in California, the Beach Party features bright yellow and blue scenery, wacky obstacles, and a walk-through spinning barrel that evokes the roiling waters of an incoming tidal wave. Harken to cries of "surf's up!" and have your sunscreen ready!

The Star Tower
The Star Tower is a gentle but thrilling 90-foot chair swing ride, with many hundreds of color-shifting LEDs combining to create mesmerizing, ever-changing light displays that tower above the fairground. This attraction accepts wristbands and regular carnival ride tickets. Star Tower is popular for selfies-everyone takes a photo with their riding partner.

Black Out
And joining us in the extreme ride genre-the exhilarating Black Out. The Black Out made its continental U.S. debut last year, and is only for those with a sense of adventure! On this mega attraction, twelve passengers are secured into gondolas that rotate and flip as the central arm launches them up, up - and over! The ride swings up to a highpoint of 80 feet in the air and makes a complete circle as it swings back down in the other direction.

Facilities
Thomas Carnival facilities include:
Benches
Generators and wire
Laundry
Light towers
Repair shops
Rest and shade areas
Rides, games and food concessions seen by the public on the midway
Trucks and trailers
Uniform facilities, offices, and living quarters

Competitive Exhibits

The competitive exhibits portion of the Montana State Fair features 21 unique departments. Potential exhibitors worldwide are invited to take advantage of one or several of these departments to showcase their talents. Exhibitors can be youth to a senior citizen, open class, or special needs. Browse the department list to see the 1000's of classes offered. Each entry competes against other entries in its individual class.

Winning entries earn ribbons, some will receive premium monies and, in many cases, special sponsor awards. A minimal entry fee is charged in all classes except youth.

General Information

GENERAL ENTRY FORM 2024

GENERAL INFORMATION 2024

W9 FORM (PDF)

LIVESTOCK INFORMATION 2024

JUNIOR LIVESTOCK "MARKET" ENTRY FORM

JUNIOR LIVESTOCK "BREEDING ANIMAL" ENTRY FORM

4-H 2024

BEEF 2024

CREATIVE HOMES 2024

CULINARY 2024

DAIRY GOAT 2024

FINE ARTS 2024

FFA 2024

FLORICULTURE 2024

GARDEN & FARM 2024

HOBBY 2024

JUNIOR LIVESTOCK 2024

MINIATURE HORSE SHOW 2024

PHOTOGRAPHY 2024

PIGEON 2024

PONIES 2024

POULTRY 2024

QUILTING 2024

RABBITS 2024

SCHOOLS 2024

WEAVING & WOOL 2024

Carnival

NonStop LOCAL ROCK 'N' RIDE NIGHT
(Ride from 6pm - Midnight ONLY!)
Pick up a $3 off discount coupon at the following locations

BEST WOK
POPCORN COLONEL
CARNAHAN'S TOWING & REPAIR
KFBB NONSTOP LOCAL FOX
Coupon must be presented day of promotion to a Mighty Thomas Carnival ticket booth. Not applicable on PRE-SALE wristbands

2J's FRESH MARKET
INGE'S FASHIONS
YOGURT CITY
LITTLE ATHENS
KFBB NONSTOP LOCAL ABC
Coupon must be presented day of promotion to a Mighty Thomas Carnival ticket booth. Not applicable on PRE-SALE wristbands

Food Concessionaires
The food concessionaires are a staple of the Montana State Fair. Food Alley features an abundance of unique items that will tantalize anyone's taste buds.

Grounds Entertainment
3 Rivers Stage - Free Bingo
Blake Guyre - Strolling Piano
Cast In Bronze - Musical Bells of The Carillon
Funkanometry
Mirror Men
The Strolling Plant Guy

Time: 5pm to Midnight

Cost:
Adults: 18 to 59 - $9
Children: 5 and under are free
Lunch Special: $6 (Available Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 am to 2 pm)
Seniors: 60 and older - $6
Youth: 6 to 17 - $6
Parking: Free

We want to hear from you if you have an event to share or updates to this event.