Hallowed Ground

POLSON — With the Mission Mountain Rodeo beginning this Friday,

there soon will be plenty of people streaming into the Polson

Fairgrounds to get a fine example of a Montana rodeo. And that’s

the way it’s been for years at the historic fairgrounds, however,

historic comes with a catch.

POLSON — With the Mission Mountain Rodeo beginning this Friday, there soon will be plenty of people streaming into the Polson Fairgrounds to get a fine example of a Montana rodeo. And that’s the way it’s been for years at the historic fairgrounds, however, historic comes with a catch.

Built in the late 1930s, the main grandstand at the rodeo grounds is in need of restoration due to years of use.

“All those years have definitely taken their toll,” Polson Fairgrounds Inc. Secretary Una Graham said. “We want to keep it usable for events out there.”

The Polson Fairgrounds organization was formed in 1984, and serves as the stewards of the venue.

“The organization has been there a long time taking care of the property,” Graham said.

Every year it goes through the grandstand and checks out everything before events are held, but in the future changes are definitely going to need to be made for sustainability.

“To replace a grandstand, it’s going to take $400,000-$500,000,” Graham said. “It is such a big expense and there is no way the Polson Fairgrounds can afford that.”

Graham added that the organization has looked into grants but since the fairgrounds are actually owned by Lake County and leased by the Polson Fairgrounds, they don’t qualify.

It’s a 10-year lease that is up for renewal in 2012. She said that the state legislature wouldn’t allow grant money due to the short-term nature of the lease agreements. There’s no guarantee the structure the grant money helped would be used for a long period into the future.

Polson Fairgrounds has planned a summer concert on July 22 called “Cold Hard Cash” which will feature a Johnny Cash cover band with proceeds going directly to restoring the grandstand. It also corresponds with the Montana 4x4 Great Divide ride, with the competitors camping out at the fairgrounds.

“It’s the first time this rally has been on this side of the continental divide,” Graham said. “We have a couple of great events that will help us out.”

The organization is also looking for any donations of money, material and volunteers that could help revitalize the grandstands. The upkeep every year includes replacing boards and a fresh coat of paint.

“Underneath the grandstands is fair,” Graham said of the general structure. “But the skin of it needs a lot of help.”

The Polson Fairgrounds has approximately 12-15 events every summer and provides breathtaking views of the Mission Mountains from the covered grandstand.

“In the summer it’s pretty heavily used,” Graham said. “It’s one of the most scenic fairgrounds in Montana. The people of Lake County are fortunate to have it, and we just want to preserve the property.”

Along with continuing to preserve the Polson Fairgrounds, Graham and her organization would also like to build a community center on the 40-acre site.

“We hear constantly that people are looking for a community center,” Graham said.

It would perhaps make the already wonderful outside venue in the community an even more important spot for Polson. Right now, Graham said, some people don’t even know about the fairgrounds.

“We still have people say ‘where is the fairgrounds?’” she said.

While the Mission Mountain Rodeo is consistently a big draw at the fairgrounds, Graham said that the interest in the sport of rodeo isn’t what it once was, adding that it could be because the interest in the agriculture culture isn’t what is used to be either.

Despite this, people still come for the scenic views and rodeo fun.

“We’ve been very pleased with the turnout,” Graham said.

That rodeo fun should have a heavy Lake County feel too. This year Polson Fairgrounds will switch from their Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association format to the Northern Rodeo Association, which is based in Billings. There will also be more events, as NRA has ladies’ breakaway, junior barrels and junior breakaway.

“It makes it more of a local rodeo,” Graham said. “We’re really looking forward to this change.”

The expense won’t be as high for the competitors, which should allow a greater number of athletes to enter the competition. And expense is exactly what the Polson Fairgrounds organization has to deal with when producing a rodeo. From paying the announcers, the stock company to provide the announcers and the rodeo clowns, the price tag for the Mission Mountain Rodeo reaches approximately $40,000.

“It’s very, very expensive to produce a rodeo,” Graham said. “We really need the public support to do this.”

FREE VENDOR FAIR

This year the Mission Mountain Rodeo will host a free vendor fair. Any non-food vendor is invited to set up their stand during the event at the Polson Fairgrounds. Vendors can contact Sharon at 161-2861.

RODEO PARADE

If you see a horse walking down Main Street, don’t feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The Mission Mountain Rodeo will have a parade on Friday at 11 a.m. followed by the Child’s Pet Parade.