Montana Dragon Boat Festival, Kalispell, Mont.
Kalispell bills itself as the gateway to Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake. According to Rob Brisedine, group sales manager for Discover Kalispell, “These two natural wonders drive visitation to the area.”
Two years ago, local leaders saw an opportunity to showcase the lake by creating the Dragon Boat Festival, which in 2013 attracted 2,500 participants and 5,000 spectators. Teams of 20 paddlers race the 46-foot watercrafts over two days of competition. Groups can take out the boats for team-building exercises year-round, weather permitting.
Targhee Fest, Alta, Wyo.
Like many ski towns, the Grand Targhee resort in Alta, Wyo., comes alive with music festivals in the summer. The high-alpine resort in the Rockies rejoices in its mountain culture and lifestyle during the annual Targhee Fest in July, and August brings a three-day bluegrass festival to town.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Boulder, Colo.
Based out of the University of Colorado at Boulder, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival has brought professional theater to the Rocky Mountains since 1958, with shows under the starry summer skies at the historic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theater. Performances run June through August, and 2014 productions include The Tempest, I Hate Hamlet and Henry IV.
Montana Bale Trail, Hobson, Mont.
What the hay?! Created more than 25 years ago by a local rancher, the Montana Bale Trail has become a hugely popular, multigenerational event in central Montana. Clever sculptures built out of bales line a country road between the small towns of Hobson, Utica and Windham. Past favorites include a “hay-bominable snowman” the “Statue of Liberthay” and a “wedding bales” marriage announcement. More than 7,000 visitors traverse the Bale Trail each year.
Valhalla Art, Music & Theater Festival, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
The shores of South Lake Tahoe sparkle during the Valhalla Festival, an annual celebration of art, music, film and theater. The word “valhalla” means “heavenly place” in Norwegian, and the lakefront site has been a popular retreat spot since the late 1800s. Shows and performances take place at the Boathouse Theatre, Valhalla Grand Hall and Grand Lawn, which can be rented out for private functions the remainder of the year.
