Butte-Silver Bow Fair Board confirms July 31–Aug. 1 county fair at Civic Center and outlines events

The Butte-Silver Bow County Fair Board confirmed that the 2026 county fair will run Friday and Saturday, July 31–Aug. 1, and that the Civic Center has been secured as the venue.

The confirmation came during the board’s June 30, 2026, regular meeting, where members and partners also reviewed a lineup of attractions and community partners planned for the two-day event. The agenda lists entertainment and activities including Levi Renz FMX, music from Wayne Brothers, a cornhole tournament for adults and children, a watermelon-eating contest, a kids zone staffed by 4‑H youth and parents, a possible car show, line dancing and karaoke hosted by Shelbey Hutson, the Racetrack Fire Trailer, programming from the Butte Public Library teen groups, RIPPLE (formerly CFWEP), Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Bear Aware program, Montana Wetlands & Waterfowl, and displays from Butte Auto.

Jenica Held, listed as a primary contact for events, and Hannah DeShazo, the fair’s marketing primary contact, told the board that sponsorship outreach is underway and that letters have been sent to local businesses. Held will compile sponsorship contacts with DeShazo for the 2026 event. The minutes record that vendor applications have been issued and that Anne Kish, the open-class primary contact, confirmed the schedule with the Civic Center and coordinated a new exhibit with the local archives.

4‑H representatives have been actively coordinating with the board on logistics. The minutes state that J. Held sent a cashier’s check to Batey’s Event Rentals for tents and that Batey’s will handle tent set-up and takedown. K. Kahtani, identified in the minutes as a 4‑H representative, provided the 4‑H schedule to the board, said she is recruiting youth volunteers (including outreach to probation and parole where appropriate), and raised a potential karaoke/line-dancing vendor for further discussion.

On equipment and site needs, the minutes show that a board participant, B. Boyle, provided contact information for bleacher and skid-steer needs and reported that a skid steer has been assembled. Held said she will wait for 4‑H to confirm how much fencing will be required before placing orders.

The treasury report listed an account balance of $15,424.58 and noted outstanding credits including county grant money; the minutes state there were no outstanding invoices. The board scheduled follow-up work on sponsorship lists, vendor management, and volunteer coordination ahead of the fair.

The board adjourned and set its next regular meeting for Tuesday, July 7, 2026.