Bannack State Park 2017
Saturday Education and Entertainment Series
All programs are free – Out of state vehicles pay $6 park admission
June 3 10am “Bird’s Eye View Trail” Guided Hike. Join AmeriCorps member Mitch Harlan for a National Trails Day hike that provides wonderful views of Bannack & the surrounding countryside. Depending on conditions wildflowers might add a bit of color to this hike.
10 7pm “The Life & Times of Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music;” “There is something fresh, honest and big-hearted about the music” of Jimmie Rodgers who Bob Dylan called “the man who started it all.” Presented by Ed & John Kemmick
Humanities Conversations Program/Sponsored by Humanities Montana
17 7pm “Tammie Jones & Friends;” Welcome the talented Tammie Jones (Prairie Rose). Tammie plays in several groups and will be joined by her partners Doug Melton of Old Hat and Jon Flynn of New Road. And, if this isn’t enough they will be joined by special guests, Rocky Mountain Meadow Larks, featuring Thor & Marianne Vigeland.
24 7 pm “Hometown Classics;” Talented local musicians Jerry Burtts, Buddy Hughes, Sandy Jennings, Lois Johnson, Russell King & Kim Hoffman will captivate listeners with music from yester-year performing their favorite county, western, gospel and bluegrass tunes.
July 1 2 pm “Learn the Art of Gold Panning;” Fun for all ages.
8 2pm “Archives & Artifacts: Bannack Collections” Where are they? What is in them? Is there public access? All these questions will be answered and samples will be on display.
15-16 9 am “Bannack Days;” Celebrate 155 years of Bannack history. Enjoy traditional music, skill and craft demonstrations, gold panning, gunfights, food and much, much
more.
22 2 pm “Discovery & Disaster;” In April 1863 two groups of men left Bannack on an expedition to the Yellowstone River in search of gold, but the rendezvous never occurred. For one group it turned into a disaster and the other a monumental discovery of gold. Presented by John Phillips
29 2 pm “The Corps of Discovery: Tomahawks, Rifles & Food for Thought” - Stephen Sylvester will engage the audience in a lively, interactive discussion of the reality of the journey, its successes and failures, and the meaning of the expedition then and now. Humanities Conversation Program/ Sponsored By Humanities Montana.
Aug. 5 7 pm “The Best of Bannack” Dance; Join us for a fun filled evening of music and dancing. The group “The Best of Bannack” includes many musicians that have been performing at Bannack Days for 25 years. Sponsored by the Bannack Association
12 2pm “Montana Towns; Then, Now Tomorrow”; Montana is a state of extremes with half of its population living in just five communities and another third living in just ten others. Montana Historian Hal Stearns, provides an entertaining look at the other 134 incorporated towns, which represent so much of what Big Sky country is famous for. Humanities Conversations Program/Sponsored by Humanities Montana
19 2pm “Meagher of the Sword;” Thomas Francis Meager was an amazing historical character. He was an Irish Patriot, Escapee from Van Diemen’s Land, Designer of the Irish Tricolor Flag, Civil War General, and finally he was appointed Territorial Secretary of Montana but served as the Acting Territorial Governor until his mysterious disappearance in Ft. Benton. An accomplished performer, Neil Lewing, brings Meager back to life using folklore, relevant music and Meagher’s own words. Humanities Conversations Program/Sponsored by Humanities Montana.
26 2pm “Eric the Excellent” of Butte Magic will astound the young and old with magic,
fire-eating and sword swallowing. Eric started in the world of magic at a young age and has preformed, along with members of the team at Butte Magic, at parties, Evel Knievel Days and
events all over the U.S.
Sep. 2 7 pm Movie Night: “The Gold Rush” Featuring Charlie Chaplin; Follow Charlie in this hilarious Klondike adventure. Originally released in 1925 this silent classic was called by
Variety “the greatest and most elaborate comedy ever filmed.” Classic Cartoons start at 6:30 pm.
The Saturday Education and Entertainment Series is made possible by the generous support of Pioneer Federal, Murdoch’s, Community Bank, Sundowner Inn, Comfort Inn, Grasshopper Inn, Humanities Montana & the Bannack Association.
The schedule is subject to change without notice. Please call to confirm at 406-834-3413.