Improvements underway at Polson Fairgrounds Amphitheater
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months AGO
The walls and roof for the Regatta Amphitheatre at the Polson Fairgrounds are mostly up as construction continues. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | June 25, 2026 12:00 AM
On the south edge of the Polson Fairgrounds, the roof, sides, and back are going up on the new Regatta amphitheater. The stage and tiered sitting area first took shape several years ago, and it has since accommodated concerts and last summer’s performance by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.
The crowd not only faces the stage, but also has views of the Flathead River and Mission Mountains.
Locals, including contractor Hu Beaver, engineer/architect Jason Delaney, builder Mike Lytton (who’s doing the actual construction) and master welder Dave Mercer, have pitched in and the revamped stage is almost complete.
“It’s always been a natural amphitheater since the 70s when concerts were first held down there,” said Una Rose Graham of Polson Fairgrounds Inc. “For well over 50 years, it’s been a venue.”
”We’re looking forward to all kinds of musical events,” she added.
Busy summer at fairgrounds
In addition to the construction project, the fairgrounds is abuzz with summer events, beginning this weekend with the Mission Valley Northern Rodeo Association Rodeo. Action kicks off at 6 p.m. June 26-27 with youth events, including mutton bustin’, stick horse races, and a calf scramble.
The rodeo begins at 7 p.m., with live music following Friday’s events by Sunlight Black.
Stock contractors Sparky and Marlene Dreesen and the Big Circle Rodeo will trek more than 600 miles to Polson hauling bucking horses, bulls, steers, and calves.
The NRA season kicked off June 5-6 at the Whoop-Up Trail Rodeo in Conrad.
Local cowboys and cowgirls competing include saddle bronc riders Trapper, Koy, and Trevor McAllister, barrel racer Abby Knight, calf ropers Craig, Kyle, and sometimes Tim Bagnell, bull riders Payton and Caden Fitzpatrick. These are just a few of the top NRA rodeo participants who call the Mission Valley home.
Come to the rodeo, enjoy a break from haying, and cheer on the local contestants.
Action moves from the arena to the river for the next fairgrounds event: the seventh annual Paddle Palooza races on July 9-12.
For more on fairgrounds activities, visit www.polsonfairgroundsinc.com.
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