Sept. 22: As 1970s-themed decorated hay bales began appearing in and around Ronan along US 93, Round Butte Road, Ronan’s Main Street and Old US 93, excitement for the annual harvest began to grow.
Although the actual festival activities were limited to just one day, the attendees clearly had a good time. The weather was a perfect autumn day with lots of sunshine and autumnal coolness.
Children enjoyed numerous activities including bounce houses with slides, pumpkin bowling, face painting, darts and blowing big bubbles. The giggles and squeals of joy, as well as the almost constant participation of the children told how much fun they were all having.
For the adults, there were numerous booths offering mostly Montana-made arts and crafts. Across the highway there was also a huge car show with some fabulous cars and trucks. There were also many FFA members and 4-Hers- at the event doing games for kids, face painting and operating a food booth.
A petting zoo and “Ask a Farmer” booth brought the event home to this primarily farming and ranching community. That said, farmers at the ‘Ask a Farmer’ booth said the most common question was where the toilets were.
To show they have a sense of humor, the answer might have been “behind the barn,” at least where some were in the 1970s.
