Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Oct.-Apr., $10 nonresident adults, $7 resident adults, $3 all children 3-12, senior, group,
and military discounts) cares for some 60 animals that include wolves, black bears, bison,
elk, bald eagles, mountain lions, and many more. The center says in its mission that its
“primary focus is to educate the public about the protection and conservation of Montana's
wildlife and its habitats” by allowing visitors an up-close and intimate perspective of some
of Montana's most beautiful species. The center's location also affords some spectacular
views of the Beartooth Mountains.
For more than 50 years, the
Festival of Nations
(
www.redlodgefestivalofnations.com
)
has
been a Red Lodge tradition celebrating the wide diversity of ethnic groups that first came
to the town during the late-1800s mining boom. The cultural groups honored include both
southern and northern Europeans—German, Irish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Scottish,
Greek—and a variety of others. The festival takes place in August over two and a half days,
with cultural exhibits, dancing, ethnic food, music, children's activities, and a wide assort-
ment of daytime and nighttime entertainment. People who wear ethnic costumes get admit-
ted free. Contact the Red Lodge Visitors Center (406/446-1718 or 888/281-0625) for this
year's dates and location.
The
Winter Carnival
(305 Ski Run Rd., 406/446-2610 or 800/444-8977, dates vary
each year) takes place at the Red Lodge Mountain Resort and has become a favorite event
among locals and visitors alike. Although the carnival selects a different theme each year (in
2014 the theme was “Olympic Gold” in celebration of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games),
many tried-and-true events make an annual appearance. The Cardboard Classic race tests
the skills of its participants as they guide their original crafts—made only from cardboard,
duct tape, and glue—in a competitive downhill race. Other popular activities include a scav-
enger hunt, a snow sculpture contest, a parade of costumes, a jalapeño-eating contest, and
a dazzling fireworks show. You may even be crowned King or Queen of Red Lodge Moun-
tain if you can telemark, alpine race, and snowboard yourself to victory.
The
Home of Champions Rodeo and Parade
(406/446-1718,
www.redlodgerodeo.com
,
July 2-4, $15-30) takes place each year at the fairgrounds west of
Red Lodge just off Highway 78, and the parades take place daily in downtown Red Lodge.
Rodeo competition in the area dates back to the 1890s, when cowboys used to get together
on Sunday to ride broncos at the local stockyards. Formed in 1930, the Red Lodge Rodeo
Association has been hosting this annual celebration ever since. The name, Home of Cham-
pions, was coined in 1954 after a local cowboy, Bill Linderman, won his third title as World
