The rain stayed mainly above the plains surrounding Hot Springs this past weekend, and that was a good thing.

It was a bit windy at times as was evident to rodeo goers Sunday afternoon at the rodeo grounds, but nary a discouraging word was heard. 

The occasion was the 75th Annual Homesteader Days festival and rodeo, the Spa City’s annual celebration of its past and present.  And although there were a few empty seats in the usually crowded rodeo bleachers, the show was special as always. 

The three-day event featured numerous bands and entertainment up and down the main street of Hot Springs as residents and visitors from outside the area flocked to the annual party. 

One such visitor, who instinctively pulled out his driver’s license when a report asked his name following a comment on the proceedings, was Harley Ryder from “the Milwaukee” area. 

“Yup, that’s my actual name,” he said will still sitting aside his Harely Road King which he and his girlfriend traveled on from the populous Wisconsin city. “My Dad loved bikes like I do, and he always said he had to name one of his kids Harley”. 

That said, Ryder said he and his companion spent Saturday night in Kalispell as part of their annual long-distance ride and heard people talk about Homesteader Days. 

“The folks we talked with said this was about as small town West as you can get and we would not be disappointed if we stopped,” he said. “They were right. Great parade and we are going to hit the rodeo next”. 

Hundreds of people had the same idea as Ryder. 

The parade on Sunday was a solid, patriotic display of small-town America, complete with a three-person bagpiper crew and lots of cowboys and cowgirls on horseback. 

Children and some adults scrambled for buckets of candy tossed their way by riders of the various floats and fire trucks that passed along the route as the parade snaked its way through downtown Hot Springs, which was adorned with craft and food vendors. 

The three-day event also featured a classic car show, kiddie parade, rubber duck races and lots of area musicians keeping the event lively and entertaining. 

Sunday’s rodeo performance was its usual star-spangled display of patriotism featuring  talented young competitors from this end of Montana and beyond. 

And as is customary, a street dance closed out the party Sunday night, with music by the “406” band. 

One of the riders atop the “75th anniversary” float shouted “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” to parade goers, an obvious reference to the 75th-diamond anniversary thing. 

Parade Grand Marshal this year was Alice Webber, who stood and waved at parade watchers from a classic convertible ride. 

As usual, it was the Spa City’s time to shine and that was mission accomplished.

    A contestant in the steer riding competition at this past weekend's Homesteader Days Rodeo in Hot Springs tries to stay aboard while eating a moutful of dust during this past Sunday's rodeo finals. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    The colors are presented by a Miss Teen Rodeo rider during Sunday's opening ceremony for the Homesteader Days Rodeo in Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)