There’s no better time to vacation in Montana than during Independence Day. From rodeos to fireworks over lakes, as well as craft shows, road races, and more, Montana has no shortage of festivities to choose from. Stay at one of many unforgettable vacation rentals in Montana and find a cozy home away from home. Here are the top places in Montana to celebrate Independence Day with your family.
1. Whitefish
If your vacation rental is in Whitefish, head over to Whitefish Lake to watch the fireworks at dusk. There are also kids activities at Whitefish City Beach. You can take a free shuttle bus from the O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center to City Beach between 7 and 11 pm.
2. Laurel
The theme for Laurel, Montana’s 2017 Fourth of July celebration is “Ignite the Spirit of America”. Start the day off with the pancake breakfast or in the Chief Joseph Run. After that, you can take your family to the Kiddies Parade and then to the Grand Parade afterward. Additionally, Laurel has a Food and Craft Fair throughout the day. The celebration concludes with a fireworks display, which is the largest in Montana.
3. Lincoln
Lincoln’s festivities begin on July 1st with the 65th Annual Lincoln Parade & Rodeo. At the rodeo, you can test your skills in the Ring of Fire, where you see how long you can last in the ring against a loose bull. The kids can participate in the boot race, chicken chase, and greased pig chase. The rodeo continues on July 2nd, which is also when the 5th Annual Dynamite Dash is. Choose from the 5k, 10k, half marathon, or have your younger kids go on the one-mile fun run.
4. Ennis
Head to Main Street in downtown Ennis to watch the Fourth of July Parade that features marching bands, classic cars, horses, and floats. This year’s theme is “Ropin’ and Reelin”! The parade begins at 10 am on July 4th, 2017. On July 3rd and July 4th you can watch the rodeo, which features the top contestants from the Northwest.
5. Troy
The city of Troy hosts an annual, free town celebration that welcomes over 6,000 guests every year! The celebration includes live music, a PTA Community Color 5K run, the Tender Loving Quilters Quilt Show, craft vendors, and a car show. The Troy festivities also include a large parade and fireworks show.
6. Seeley Lake
Begin your celebration at the Fire Department Pancake Breakfast and continue it at the afternoon Pig Roast. After eating you can watch the parade, duck race, and the fireworks over the lake. During the day you can also go swimming and hiking.
7. Great Falls
Attend the Fourth of July Parade in Great Falls at 11 am on July 4th, 2017. The celebration in Great Falls really begins on June 29th, which is when the Great Falls Municipal Band hosts their Patriotic Summer Celebration Concert in the Mansfield Convention Center.
8. Bozeman
Visit the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman, Montana this Independence Day! The celebration goes from 7 pm to 11 pm and features one of the biggest firework displays in Montana. The fireworks start at dusk. In addition to fireworks, there’s live music and food.
9. Polson
If your vacation rental is near Polson, it is a great place to celebrate. Poison’s annual celebration includes a parade downtown in the afternoon and fireworks later that night. You can view the fireworks from Riverside Park or from the Lake County Fairgrounds.
10. Livingston
Livingston is the place to be if you are looking to celebrate the Fourth in combination with the rodeo for four days! The Livingston Roundup Rodeo goes from Saturday, July 1st, 2017 to Tuesday, July 4th, 2017. There are fireworks on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night. Sunday night is family night and Monday is the Kiddie Rodeo.