GREAT FALLS, Mont. – It’s a special week leading up to the Fourth of July festivities in Great Falls. Shannon Newth joins NonStop Local each Saturday to give us the lay of the land.
This week, visitors and locals to Great Falls alike can look forward to parades, concerts, art walks, and historical tours!
Waking the Dead Tours
Out at Highland Cemetery, storytellers portray famous historic characters in the Great Falls history at ten graves in the cemetery.
Paris Gibson, founder of the city, artist Nick Russell and his wife, and more are brought to life as part of the lineup.
The two different tour option times are 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 30.
Attendees will get to hear from some of the famous and influential people in Montana and U.S. history who are buried there at Highland Cemetery.
Tickets are available at Kaufmans Menswear. More information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Trivia Tuesdays at Giant Springs State Park
This is happening in Montana’s most visited state park, home to the world’s shortest river and a very picturesque, comfortable place to hang out:
It’s trivia at Giant Springs State Park! Kicking off this coming Tuesday, July 2, the event happens all throughout the summer on Tuesday. Times will adjust according to the sunset throughout August and September.
Visitors can have teams of up to seven people to do trivia with some of the park rangers. Bring your own blanket, lawn chair, and some snacks for four rounds of trivia. No registration is required.
Independence Day Parade and Hootenanny
Independence Day is a great time to be in Great Falls. We have a lot going on. Of course, your standard patriotic events like our parade through downtown Great Falls that starts at 11 a.m.
But something really unique about spending Fourth of July in Great Falls is the Fourth of July Hootenanny, a free live downtown Great Falls concert that kicks off in the early afternoon following the parade.
This year, Rodney Atkins will be taking the stage again. This is a free concert for everyone to come together and celebrate Independence Day.
Streets are cleared out at the corner of Central Avenue and Fifth Street for the show.
Voyagers v. Glacier Range Riders
Gates open at 6 p.m. with the game starting at 7 p.m. It’s America’s favorite pastime!
Pack the Voyagers Stadium to watch the team battle it out with the Glacier Range Riders. Following the game will be fireworks over the Missouri River!
First Friday Art Walk
It’s the first Friday Art Walk in Great Falls!
These are events that are happening throughout the summer as well. The first Friday of the month is your chance to come and explore some galleries and the artistic community in Great Falls, filled with all those downtown murals and galleries.
The First Friday Art Walk is happening on July 5 in downtown Great Falls to explore from 6 to 9 p.m.