Missoula Events

Western Montana’s Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Kicks Off Festivities Tomorrow

By Brenna Moore, 6-20-06

Starting tomorrow, more than 100 Lewis and Clark and Native American activities, presentations and performances will begin spreading throughout five Western Montana valleys in more than 25 locations for 19 days.

The Lewis and Clark in the Rockies Bicentennial Festival commemorates the 200-year anniversary of Lewis and Clark's return journey through Western Montana through a multiday extravaganza of free activities, exhibits, reenactments, entertainment, outdoor experiences and Native American programs from June 21 to July 9 in the Missoula, Bitterroot, Lolo, Blackfoot and Mission valleys.

"This only happens once every 100 years... we're just trying to get people to have fun," said Scott Sproull, Chairman of the Western Montana Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commision.

Festivities kick off tomorrow during "Out to Lunch" at Caras Park in downtown Missoula, beginning with an 11:00 a.m. set from the Ulali singers, a nationally recognized First Nation Women's a cappella trio. The Ulali singers will also be holding a concert on Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Montana's University Theater, but agreed to play a short set to launch the festival, Sproull said. Reenacters will be dressed up as people from the times of Lewis and Clark, and Native American dancers, drummers and singers from the People's Center in Pablo will be entertaining and enlightening attendees about their unique heritage and culture. Interpreters will also be there during the performances to explain the history of the dances and what they mean. The whole opening set will repeat again at 12:30 p.m., and as always, food and drink will be available for the festivities.

On the evening of June 21, author and historian Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs, will give a presentation at 7 p.m. at the Wilma Theater. Tubbs is a graduate of the University of Montana and the daughter of Stephen Ambrose, whose 1996 book "Undaunted Courage" helped popularize the Lewis and Clark legacy.

There will also be three other presentations/living-history programs this week at the Wilma Theater. Following the introduction by Tubbs, Dr. Hal Stearns, a prolific Lewis and Clark speaker, will present "An Evening with General William Clark," a recreation of the explorer and charasmatic leader. "An Evening with York" will take place on Friday, June 23 at 7 p.m. at the Wilma Theater, and "An Evening with Charbonneau" will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 24 at the Wilma Theater.

The Southgate Mall will be the main Missoula location for dozens of national, regional and local Lewis and Clark exhibits and activities from June 22 to June 25. The event is sponsored by the National Park Service, which will have a Corps Discovery II traveling exhibit from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be holding hourly Lewis and Clark presentations at their "Tent of Many Voices" located outside the mall. Inside, attendees will find a bicentennial fair, complete with more exhibits, Native American organizations and authors signing books.

"From concerts to kid's hands-on exhibits and trail walks, the festival promises something for everyone," Sproull said. "We feel like we're doing a million dollar festival... and it's all free," he said.

There are several more activites to be found in the next few weeks, and more information can be found at the Festival's Web site, or by calling 800-526-3465. Stay tuned to New West for more information on the festival throughout the week, for updates on the bicentennial and for firsthand experiences of the festivities.

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