Hot Springs Homesteader Days chock-full of events

Visitors from across the country made Hot Springs their destination of choice last weekend for the annual Homesteader’s Days, a long-standing tradition in Hot Springs for 75 years.  

Activities for all ages and abilities were scheduled for the weekend, ranging from the early Saturday morning Skunk Alley Run to the traditional Saturday and Sunday Western Rodeo.  

Runners showed up early Saturday morning for the 3K and 13k Skunk Alley Run. It was a nice warm sunny morning, perfect for a race. At 9 a.m. sharp the racers were let loose, each heading for the finish line on Main Street.  

First place in the 3K race was Cord Greer from Plains, who won $20. Second place was Brayden Campbell, and third place was Jessie Uski. The 13K race winners were first-place Scott Rice, second to Elijah Campbell and third to Wyatt Campbell. The first place for the 13K race received $25. All proceeds from the Skunk Alley Run go to the Skunk Alley Run Scholarship. 

Forty-nine vendors were on hand to satisfy all types of food palettes, collectors, and farmers market enthusiasts. This year’s car show had 18 vehicles on display lined up along Main Street. First place winner was Dennis with his 1947 GMC pickup. He said it took him five months to finish. He received $100 for first place. Second place went to Zack Flink for his restored 1998 Dodge Pickup. Third place went to Leroy Morin from Arlee, for his restored 1955 Chevy Belair, equipped with the nostalgic A&W root beer glass and tray on the drivers’ side door window.  

“It’s just a fun thing to do. I have been showing my cars for over 15 years,” Morin said. 

Hot Spring Creek was again filled with rubber ducks for the Donna’s Dandy Duck Race. At noon Main Street was lined up ready for the Kiddy Parade. Kids and parents outdid themselves designing costumes this year. Gogo dancers, patriotic bicycle riders, and many kids with their colorful face paintings. The face paintings were done by local artist from Jamie War Painting.  

The Kiddie parade had five categories for the type of costume warn. Each child entered received one dollar for participation, with first place taking an additional prize of five dollars. Second place received three dollars and third winning an additional one dollar. Last names for each child were not available for print. The winner of the Homesteader category was Caden. The Fairy Tale winner was Regina. The miscellaneous went to one year old Ceila in her chicken pen wagon. The pet’s winner went to Harper and the final category of wheels went to Damian. 

During Saturday’s activities, two bands played for the crowd. Jesse Brother Music and a father and son group called, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. At 5 p.m. activities moved over to the rodeo grounds, followed by a street dance featuring the band 406. 

Sunday activities started with a pancake breakfast at the Senior Center on Main Street, followed by live music from Jesse Brother Music. At noon, the grand parade featured Grand Marshal Alice Webber. The afternoon activities moved back out to the Hot Springs Rodeo grounds for another day of competition. The evening celebrations ended with live music from Outlaws and Lawmen at the Fergie Pub and Grill and Jesse Brother Music at the Montana Bar.

    Jaiden Horner, 10, from Hot Springs in the Kiddy Parade. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
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    A visit to the A&W root beer drive-up. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
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    Alayna Henson as a go-go dancer was second place in the miscellaneous category. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
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    Raegan Glein won first place in the fairy tale category. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
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    The car show first place winner at Homesteader Days in Hot Springs. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
 Tracy Scott   

    Hot Springs ladies celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Homesteader Days event with a "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" float in honor of the event's longevity. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Homesteader Days Grand Marshall Alice Webber rides through Hot Springs Sunday in the main parade. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)