Lewis and Clark Festival

Event Details

June is such a wonderful time of the year. The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping and it’s time for the Lewis & Clark Festival. This years is our 34th and we have some amazing things in store for our guests.

On Friday June 21 from 7p.m. – 8p.m. we are honored to have Moki Hipol, a member of the Montana Mountain Man Society and amazing story teller, bring to life two of America’s most notable Mountain Men George Drouillard and Jean Baptist. He will be joined by the Vocal Patriots, Commissioner Susan Wolff who will bring greetings from the city and there will also be a presentation of the colors. This event is taking place out in our amphitheater overlooking the mighty Missouri river. Admission is FREE.

Then on Saturday June 22 the majority of the festivities run from 9a.m. – 4p.m. We have encampment presentations which include a bull boat exhibit, living history of George Caitlyn, Plains Indian tipi with a living history exhibit featuring Moki Hipol. Butler aka Seaman, Lewis’s faithful canine companion will be on hand for photos, Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center will be sharing information with our guests and Tim Lee Caricatures will be on hand if you are in the mood for a fun memento of your visit. We will also have several Montana artisans with their crafts and creations, and to ensure you have enough energy to stay the whole day we have Bumble Bee Kettle Corn, Firehouse Steamers, Little Annie’s Ice Cream and Taqueria Ibarra Tacos just in case you get the munchies.

There will be presentations in our theater which will include 11am Blackfeet Elder Leon Rattler and his oral history of the Corps of Discovery at the Two Medicine in the summer of 1806, 1pm Caitlyn Clark will present Meriwether Lewis’ rich history in Greenville, Ohio with her book Treaty City to the Western Sea: Lewis & Clark in Greensville, Ohio and at 2pm local Western artist Ron Ukrainetz will illuminate prominent artists of the day that Lewis could have chosen to accompany him on the expedition.

In the lobby we will have displays from John Fisher and Medicine of the Corps, LCIC/Honor Guard Period Weapons, American Prairie Conservation, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center and the Montana Reptile Rescue will bring in some of their cold blooded friends to the party.

Other Scheduled events for you to enjoy include on Saturday are at 9:30am Swivel Gun Demonstration, then at 10:00am an Atlatl Demonstration with Jimmy Ray, then at 11:00am a beaver skinning demo and at 12noon & 3:00pm Salish Kootenai Indian Dancers will perform in full regalia.

From 9am – 1pm the Lewis & Clark Adventure Challenge is open to elementary kids and those who are young at heart. The family friendly activity features 6 education stations including the black powder station and the prairie dog round up, a 1.5 mile walk, a cool adventure map, a swag bag and when all is said and done you get to craft a beaded bear claw or a Jefferson Peace Medal necklace as a memento of your adventure.

So, save the date and be sure you join us for the 34th Annual Lewis & Clark Festival June 21 from 7pm – 8pm and Saturday June 22 from 9am – 4pm. Go to www.lewisandclarkfoundation.org/news-events for more information.