'Spa City' celebrates its roots at Homesteader Days
Hot Spring resident Niyah Barber took first place in the pet category during the Kiddie Parade at Hot Springs' Homesteaders Days. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Maclei Kelley, 2, took first place in the Kiddy Parade homesteader category. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Taking first place in the miscellaneous category is Elizabeth Mazanec. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Thomas Bras, 2, from Lone Pine won the vehicle category in the Kiddie Parade. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
Ladies aboard a Homesteader Days parade float are all smiles as they celebrate their ride through Hot Springs Sunday afternoon. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
The pipes, the pipes are calling...provided by a trio of bagpipers who took part in the Sunday's Homesteader Days parade through Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
A 1916 Packard truck was part of the car show and parade during this past weekend's Homesteader Days in Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
What would a "days gone by" parade be without an appearance by the Shriner mini-cars and drivers? They were part of Sunday's Homesteader Days parade in Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
A two-mule "honey-bucket wagon from Hot Springs days gone by takes part Sunday's homesteader Days parade. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
Homesteader Days parade Grand Marshall Maggie Goode rides through Hot Springs in style Sunday afternoon. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
Walking the dog or the dog walking the man is the question in this pre-parade means of transportation prior to Sunday's Homesteader Days parade in Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
If the 2023 version of Homesteader Days, the annual celebration of Hot Springs, its history and the surrounding area, is any indication, it would be fair to say those homesteaders knew how to kick up their heels and have a good time.
This year’s three-day run wrapped up with the traditional rodeo finals at the Hot Springs Rodeo Grounds, but not before live music filled the air and streets downtown Sunday night.
The event, which has grown in conjunction with the emergence of “Spa City” as a place to go for a good time, attracted good crowds despite a soggy start Friday and the threat of thunderstorms throughout the celebration.
And as the celebration expands, so do the number of things for residents of all ages.
This year’s party got underway at noon Friday with the appearance of vendors and crafts booths lining Main Street through the heart of the short but sweet downtown area.
Before the night was over, music and dance fans had a chance to take in two live bands on Main Street’s temporary main stage, including the Hot Springs based band Spa City Sound, and Whiskey Rose.
Saturday was then an all-day celebration, with crafts, food and other vendors hawking their wares in a variety of booths in midtown, while local classic car enthusiasts were treated to a display of beautifully maintained cars from years gone by. St. Ignatius resident Cole Hill won the car show event with his 1969 Plymouth CTX, then donated the $50 first place prize back to the show’s promoter.
Saturday kicked off with the Skunk Alley Run, a 3K or 10K race through the town and surrounding area. Hot Springs High junior to be David Chapman won this year’s event, while Plains resident Claire Wrobleski was second.
As part of the celebration, the LaRue Hot Springs Museum was open several hours each day, allowing residents and tourists alike to check out the historical artifacts and displays in the building on the eastern boundary of town.
For area youngsters, and children of the scores of tourists who drove the three miles back to Hot Springs from Highway 28, a Kiddie Parade began at noon with multiple fun categories for entrants, along with a Lucky Duck Race offering prizes for those who signed up.
Live music was presented throughout the day Saturday, while angry looking storm clouds failed to spoil the celebration with rain, not that it would have deterred event goers.
Also Saturday, a “cornhole” contest took place with a $130 first place prize awarded to the winner.
Saturday also marked the first full day of rodeo competition for an event that has attracted larger numbers of fans and rodeo participants each year. Saturday’s competition got underway a bit later than planned to allow a full-house crowd to get settled, including those who had been waiting in line along the highway outside the rodeo grounds.
The local band “406” closed out the evening with a concert and dance downtown.
Sunday’s final day featured the grand parade, headed by Grand Marshall Maggie Goode, a long-time area resident and Realtor who was honored for her community service and involvement.
Sunday began with a pancake breakfast at the Hot Springs Senior Center.
The finals of the rodeo got underway shortly after the conclusion of the parade.
The celebration closed Sunday evening with live music in Fergie’s Pub and Grill (Outlaws and Lawmen) and simultaneously inside the Montana Bar (Jesse Brother Music).
“We’ve stopped here once before when we came to Montana and had a good time,” said Wade Wonderlick, who was traveling with his wife, Angie, on their way to see relatives in North Dakota. “They seem to have added a lot more than when we came here before and we were having such a good time we set up the trailer and stayed the night.”
