Ennis & Beyond

Montana summers are beautiful, but what if you need to break that been-there-done-that bad mood you've been in lately? We've got the perfect fix: Ennis.

Fourth of July Parade & Rodeo
Right out of a Norman Rockwell painting, Ennis's Fourth of July parade is the quintessential American celebration right down Main Street, complete with clowns, horses, old cars, ice cream, old-fashioned floats, and the occasional splash from the caravanning fire trucks. Get there by 9am to get a good spot, and bring chairs so you can bake in comfort. Be sure to pick up a pie and some brats over at Deemo's Meats on your way back to the car. The two-day, NRA-sanctioned rodeo features top cowboys and cowgirls from the northwest in both rough-stock and timed events. Visit ennischamber.com for more information.

The Greater Yellowstone Adventure Series
From early June to the beginning of August, this six-part series consists of the Madison River Run (5k), the Madison Dualthon (bike: 14 miles, run: 7 miles), the Madison Marathon (full, half, and team: 4 runners), the Big Sky Marathon (full and half marathon), the Madison Triathlon (swim: 1,200 yards, bike: 23 miles, and run: 6 miles), and Tour de Gravelly (40 miles up and 17 miles down). Whether you're looking for a family-friendly 5k, or a test of your physcial limits, the series has something for everyone. Registration for the races open the first of March each year, so be sure to mark your calendar as spots fill up fast.

Fly Fishing and Outdoor Festival 
Labor Day weekend offers the annual Ennis Fly Fishing and Outdoors Festival. (Try saying that three times fast.) There's tons going on, like clinics, casting instruction, outdoor education, and competitions for all levels, plus a BBQ on Saturday night with live music. Check out ennischamber.com for more info or call 682-3148.

The Art of Walking
Ennis art walks are a great way to add a little culture to a day spent outdoors. They feature local talents on Friday evenings, and you can even hit up Norris Hot Springs on your way home.

Tastes Great, Less Filling
Just a quick hop over the hill, historic Virginia City comes alive in May when the Brewery Follies Comedy Cabaret opens at the old H. S. Gilbert Brewery. The season lasts from Memorial Day through September. This is the kind of folding-chair improv that emerges from a remote western town where cell phones don’t work: raunchy, ad lib, and overflowing with beer. No political view or contemporary topic is safe from a bawdy musical parody or an improv-skit ridicule. For show times and reservations (which are strongly recommended) call 800-829-2969, ext. 3. Tickets are $15, but save some money for a babysitter for the night, too. This gig's not for kids.

Refer to our events calendar for specific dates and times for all events. Details subject to change.