In honor of Montana’s combat veterans, the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo is working with the Soldiers Memorial Fund to offer veterans and their family members a free tour of Flathead Lake aboard the Far West on Aug. 5.

The tour will run from 4 to 6 p.m. 

Free shuttles to the docks will depart the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls at 2:30 p.m., the Whitefish Mountain Mall at 2:30 p.m. and the VFW Hall in Kalispell at 3 p.m. 

All participants must be at the Lakeside docks by 3:30 p.m.

Boat space is limited to 149 passengers. To register for the tour, contact Sheri Gates at 758-5810.

Vista Linda Catering and the Northwest Montana Veterans Panty have donated appetizers, Pepsi Co. has donated beverages and Montana Trolley, Stillwater Lutheran Church and Eagle Transit are providing the transportation to and from Lakeside. 

In addition to the Flathead Lake tour, the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo has designated Aug. 15 as Wounded Warrior Night at the Don K Ram PRCA Rodeo. Veterans showing military identification at the entrance gates will receive free entry to the fairgrounds, a free ticket to that evening’s rodeo and a $10 food voucher.

“We want to show our appreciation to the veterans for the sacrifices they have made for our country’s freedom,”  Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell said. 

The theme of this year’s fair is “Stirrup Some Fun!” and runs Aug. 13-17 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Tickets are now on sale for all grandstand events and can be purchased at the fairgrounds office or online at www.nwmtfair.com.

The Kalispell Toyota Concert series begins Aug. 12 featuring contemporary Christian music bands Building 429 and For King and Country performing together. 

On Aug. 13, country music legend and Grammy nominee Chris Young will take the stage. 

The Ram PRCA Rodeo runs Aug. 14-16 and will feature competitors from Canada and the western United States aiming for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. 

The fair culminates in a demolition derby on Aug. 17.