Last Chance Stampede & Fair

Fair Hours*
  • Wednesday, July 25: 5 pm – 11 pm
  • Thursday, July 26: 11 am – 11 pm
  • Friday, July 27: 11 am – 11 pm
  • Saturday, July 28: 11 am – 11 pm
  • Sunday, July 29: 11 am – 6 pm

Gate Admission
$3 per person per day* (12 & under free) for walk or drive in

*included in advance nightshow & rodeo ticket sales.

Helena, Montana’s 52nd Annual “Last Chance Stampede and Fair” is scheduled for July 25-29, 2012 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds new facility. You are invited to check out the exhibits, ride the Northstar Amusement Carnival Rides and enjoy this annual summertime extravaganza! With great entertainment throughout the day, a night show, three exciting nights of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) action. As always, 4H will be a big part of the fair. You can get your 4H Exhibitor Handbook and the 4H schedule of events here.

July 25
 The week kicks off with the Kid’s Stick Horse Rodeo at Capital Sports & Western at 9 am.  The Fair opens with commercial & 4-H exhibits, food vendors and Northstar Amusements carnival at 5 pm; plus Uncle Kracker with Opening Act Craig Campbell outdoors in the Grandstand at 7:30 pm.
July 26
 Thursday features the Kiddie Parade downtown at 11 am with “Military Appreciation Night” PRCA Rodeo in the evening.
July 27
 Friday features “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night” at the rodeo plus the popular “Chicks N Chaps” women’s rodeo clinic with all of the fundraising efforts supporting local breast cancer patients.
July 28
 Saturday starts with the “Gold Buckle Dreamin Youth Rodeo”, the 4-H livestock sale begins at 11 am and the final performance of the PRCA Rodeo in the evening.

PRCA Rodeos start at 7:30 each night, and will feature the ever popular “Mutton Bustin” and “Steer Riding” for youth ages 3-12 and the exciting “Wild Cow Milking”. Sure Shot Acts Productions, a trio of trick riders from Canada, will be the 2012 featured rodeo entertainment. They will wow the crowd with daring full speed maneuvers on horseback. The All New Flat Track Motor Sports Spectacular  and Equine Exhibit take place on Sunday, the final day of Fair.

The “Last Chance Stampede Rodeo” has been voted the most improved rodeo in the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit the last two years. Two-time PRCA Rodeo Announcer of the Year, Wayne Brooks will again call the action horseback in the arena. Award winning stock contractor Kelser Championship Rodeo, from right here in Helena, features many award winning broncs and bulls that will perform over the three nights. Montana Circuit Cowboys and Cowgirls and top PRCA contestants from all over the United States will compete in seven PRCA sanctioned events.

The new grandstand has seating for 4,600 and has twice as many women’s restroom facilities as in the past. It also has an elevator to the top of the grandstands for access to ADA approved seating. This is the premiere outdoor venue in the State of Montana.

The 36,000 square foot, air conditioned Exhibit Hall hosts 4-H and open competitive exhibits where you can view all the winning entries from photography to quilts, 50 commercial vendors and an entertainment stage. Northstar Amusements sets up over 20 rides with a separate area for younger children in our popular “Kiddie Carnival”. There are over 20 food vendors on site with additional commercial vendors and displays outside, an outdoor entertainment tent and petting zoo. The “Last Chance Stampede and Fair” offers something fun for everyone!

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