Mudfest returns to Haugan

Mud-coated enthusiasts in souped-up trucks revved their engines and drag raced all weekend during the 2nd annual Montana Mudfest. From Friday night to Sunday afternoon, nearly 800 people gathered in Haugan to participate and watch the mud-based fun. Some people found themselves covered from head to toe in mud from drag racing or joining in the other fun and games.

“There’s a lot of good people out here,” event organizer Kacy Noonan said.

Noonan, along with fellow locals Drew Suckow and Brennan Teeters, thought up the idea three years ago. Noonan said they wanted to find ways to bring more people to the area. More people means more business and more fun at the local Mudfest.

With that motivation, Noonan said last year they decided to use the open property west of the 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar. Suckow’s family owns the Silver Dollar Bar and the open property.

Suckow said last year they took the land and dug out two pits for the mud drag racing to take place. Although the area is dry, Suckow said they connected a hose to a nearby creek to fill the dirt pits and make the mud.

The amount of people has doubled since last year and Noonan said they are always looking to improve the Mudfest.

“We are learning as we go,” Noonan said. “But so far so good.”

Nearly 50 racers showed up this year to race in the mud. Racers compete in six different categories, which were stock, super stock, modified, super modified, ATV and x-class. Racers came from all over the Northwest, with the furthest racer being from Portland, Ore.

Noonan said the reason so many racers knew about the Mudfest was because of fliers she handed out at the Silver Dollar Bar, which sees travelers stop by from all over the country. Noonan said she also used Facebook to spread the event information.

Besides drag racing in the two mud pits, people could get coved in mud in other ways. Event organizers set up a slip n’ slide, which Noonan said became a bit of a babysitter for the children who slide in the mud throughout each day.

Mudfest also involved a dash for cash, where participants ran through the mud pit to grab as many dollar bills as possible. Security kept a close watch to make sure people didn’t push each other too hard during the dash.

For the beer drinkers in attendance, a four-man team chug ‘n run relay was set up around the mud pits and a beer pong table kept people busy while watching the races. Mud wrestling and a tug-o-war were planned, but Noonan said not enough people signed up for those events this year.

On Friday and Saturday nights, people drank and danced the night away to the county-style music of the Copper Mountain Band. After the concert, people camped out on the property and rested up for another day in the mud.

The Copper Mountain Band played at Mudfest last year and Noonan said they were excited to come out again this year. The members of Copper Mountain come from small town Montana and enjoy supporting local events like Mudfest.

“We will have them every year,” Noonan said. “They were stoked. They changed their schedules around to be here this year.”

Of all the activities at Mudfest, Noonan said the bikini contest might have been the most entertaining. On Saturday afternoon, 15 contestants competed in the scantly clad contest. What made the contest so entertaining was that two of the competitors were men.

“It was hilarious,” Noonan said.

The two male bikini contestants happened to be brothers. Along with earning recognition on the bikini contest stage, Alan and Kevin Zufall also took home awards for their drag racing.

Kevin, who drove a 57’ Chevy, beat his brother Alan, who drove an 85’ Toyota, in the super modified race and won the King of the Mud award. Alan earned the Mud Maniac award and said both are planning to come back next year.

Between the band, bonfire and overall comradely, the brothers from Washington said Mudfest is a great time together. Most of all, the Zufall brothers, who have mud raced for over a decade, said Mudfest has become a family event for them.

“We don’t do it alone,” Alan said. “We are always together. It’s about family.”

Noonan agrees. While other Mudfests around the country are geared towards a mature crowd, Noonan said she wants the Mudfest in Haugan to always be a family friendly event. Having the slip n’ slide helps keep the kids entertained while the parents race.

“It’s totally a family event,” Noonan said. “And we are going to keep it that way.”

Noonan also wants future Mudfest to continue to help the local community and businesses by bringing more people to the area.

“We have been getting a lot of thank yous,” Noonan said. “Everyone is really happy in the community.”

Noonan said from now on Mudfest would be the last weekend in June every year. With the growing popularity, Noonan said they also might organize one in the fall.

Suckow said the reason for Mudfest’s popularity is simple.

“It’s a hell of a good time,” Suckow said.