The 4th of July means rodeo in Montana, and the Lincoln Rodeo hasn’t changed in the 20 years we’ve been going – it’s a perfect little slice of small-town America. The arena is small, with just six bucking chutes, and the spectators sit on the hillside looking across the Blackfoot River Valley at the mountains. The rodeo club sponsors the concession stand (where, according to the announcer, you “need to get you over and get one of them hamburgers – the best in west!”), and the parade on the morning of the rodeo shuts down Highway 200 for an hour and a half. It’s one of the few rodeos I’ve been to that includes barrel racing for kids under eight, and a good amount of time is set aside for a chicken race, a greased pig race, and a boot race for the kids. For me, it means that summer is really here.
Off the Beaten Path: Hikes, Backpacks, and Travels 
Sounds like a lot of fun for all ages! Happy holidays folks! 🙂
And happy holiday to you too!
Wonderful photos. Sounds like a great way to kick off your summer!
It is… thanks!
I’m glad there are still some around like that! Over here we seem to have lots the real spirit of rodeo.
I do like all the kids things that they do in Lincoln; it’s pretty fun.
Thanks for a great 4th of July post to share with my friends…
Cool! And thanks for checking it out.
Rodeos are so fun. I used to look forward to one in Window Rock, AZ when I was out there.
Would love to check out some southwestern rodeos. Would be pretty darn hot, though.
Wow, your photos are fantastic! Looks like the perfect way to spend 4th of July. Thank you so much for sharing!
And thanks for the visit.
Great post and pictures. Thanks for sharing.