Saco Fun Days Happening This Weekend! Get There!

The usually quiet little mini-metropolis of Saco, Montana, is banding together to prepare for the one big hurrah the community has been known for for years. Labor Day weekend the town brings out the young and the old, and friends and neighbors from other communities to put on a gala affair that is now the 61st Annual Saco Fun Days in the Hi-Line community.

The events will be held at various locations across town, all of which probably anyone in town can point you in the direction of.

Keeping with annual royalty tradition, Bill and Jackie Bryson have been selected and named as the Grand Marshall and Queen this year. This is "not her first rodeo," so to speak, as Jackie had the honor of being the Queen of Fun Days in 1967 (and must have been very, very young at the time).

Starting off the weekend will be a community potluck on Friday evening, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. This gathering will be at the City Shop and the community is welcome.

Following the potluck, the crowd will mosey on over to Miller Park at 7 p.m. where the Cornhole Competition will be held. This year the calcutta will go toward Michelle Monroe, who recently had a procedure for her lung condition. The payout on this will be 80/20.

While this is going on, the younger generation is invited to the Saco Community Church where an evening of entertainment is planned, including games, a movie, and laughter and friends.

Meanwhile, down at the Rebar Saloon, Travis Rhodes with Montartica Productions will be hosting karaoke, so be sure to stop down and share your talent

Festivities begin on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with the lining up of entries that will participate in the 2024 parade. The parade will conclude at the City Shop where once again will be the gathering location for the crowd for a lunch. They are anticipating 250-300 to partake in the meal. The lunch is a free-will donation. The Saco Community Church will be offering their delicious homemade pies in a variety of flavors sure to tempt your taste buds.

The big event of the weekend - the Button Draw. As of print time there are still some buttons available to purchase. The Chamber has once again increased the order of buttons and 1,000 were now available, they are $5 each. Christal Korman said there are some fantastic prizes that have been either purchased by the Chamber or donated by businesses in Saco, Malta and Glasgow. The button draw will begin at 12:45, so don't forget them at home!

Those holding buttons are wondering what prizes are available and it is safe to say they won't be disappointed. Available are a 20-piece socket set, 5-gallon gas can and spout, an ice maker, power trimmer, a pressure washer, Shark vacuum cleaner, coolers, blankets, $250 gift certificate at Saco Pay 'N Save, $200 gift certificate at BF Butchering in Saco and a Diamond Back 223 AF Wylde (winner of the gun must pass background check). Buttons are limited, so hurry on over and get yours.

It's rodeo time at the County Line Arena at 2:45 p.m. beginning with the kids' wild calf riding. Following at 3 p.m. will be the rodeo, and at the conclusion of the rodeo, the audience will be entertained by the wild pony riding. Coolers are not allowed in the arena, there are vendors available.

Over at the Rebar Saloon, the crowd will see the minnow races which will be preceded by a calcutta, with the funds raised from this going to Steven Johanneson.

Wear your dancing shoes as music and the voice of Chisholm Christianson fills the air.

Early Sunday morning you can join in fellowship with services at the Saco Community Church. Following services, there will be the softball tournament which is scheduled for 11 a.m. As the afternoon sun shines on the town, at 2 p.m., there is the horseshoe tournament waiting to get underway. Pay out from this event will be 80/20. There is no cap on the number of teams.

With all the activities going on, there will be food vendors available. AE Catering will be there with her assortment of sandwiches and goodies. Also, Lori Knight Owens, of Harlem. Is available with her Paradise Shaved Ice for cool refreshments. Shyla Jones will be available with her assortment of sassy hats and jewelry.

This year is the first year of the Marilyn Briepohl Quilt show, which will also have the fine work of local quilters on display at the Lutheran Church. Submissions can be entered on Aug. 30 from 1-3 p.m. If one has questions, they can call Claire Bergtoll at 406-648-7664. They will be on display August 31st.

Lacey Beil is still taking entries for the rodeo, and she can be reached at 406-301-2034. There has been $10,000 added to the purse and there are some impressive buckles waiting to be awarded.

Come join in the festivities and make some memories...at the 61st Annual Saco Fun Days!