Montana events

Among the event highlights in Montana this fall:

• Scarecrow Auction and Festival, Thursday-Saturday, Billings. Thirty-five nonprofit organizations design and build scarecrows that are viewed by the public for three days and then auctioned off. Children’s activities will be available as part of the festivities. (800-755-7576, www.gainans.com)

• Libby Nordicfest, Sept. 9-12, Libby. A gala affair celebrating Libby’s Scandinavian heritage, featuring traditional foods and folk costumes, a juried craft show, free outdoor entertainment, a quilt show, parade, horse show, concerts, music and arts. (800-785-6541, www.libbynordicfest.org)

• Testicle Festival, Sept. 16-20, Clinton. Rocky Mountain Oysters served with cowboy beans, with music day and night and adult activities organized by the Rock Creek Lodge (for ages 21 and older only). (406-825-4868, testyfesty@blackfoot.com)

• SeptoberFest Montana, Sept. 25-26, Bozeman. An eclectic event with accordion concerts and polka dances, bagpipe music, drums and Didjeridoos, Dachshund Derby race, demolition derby and Tuff Truck contests, draft horse and mule show. (406-582-3270, www.co.gallatin.mt.us)

• Cowboy Poetry and Music Rendezvous, Sept. 24-26, Dillon. Second annual event featuring numerous performers from Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Georgia. (406-683-5027)

• Northeast Montana Threshing Bee and Antique Show, Sept. 25-26, Culbertson. With threshing bundles, sawing logs, parade of old tractors and machinery, small engine display, shingle saw, lumber planer, flea market space, car show, free barbecue Saturday evening. (406-787-5265)

• Montana Festival of the Book, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Missoula. Featuring more than 70 of the region’s writers in a variety of readings, panels, exhibits, demonstrations, a literary contest, signings, entertainment, receptions and tours. (406-243-6022, www.bookfest-mt.org)

• Bridger Raptor Festival, Oct. 2-3, Bozeman. Witness the largest known migration of Golden Eagles in North America, with slide shows on raptor identification, kids’ programs and a birds of prey presentation with ambassador eagles, owls, and hawks from the Montana Raptor Center. (406-585-1211, www.montanaraptor.org)

• 11th Annual Glacier Jazz Stampede, Oct. 7-10, Whitefish. Something for jazz lovers of all musical backgrounds, at various locations throughout the Flathead Valley. (406-862-3814, www.kalispellchamber.com/jazz)

• Fiesta Day, Oct. 9, Whitefish. A Mexican/western-themed festival featuring a chili cook-off and dessert competition (professional and amateur), with public tasting. (877-862-3548, www,whitefishchamber.org)

• Tamarack Time, Oct. 16, Bigfork. An old-fashioned harvest celebration centering around the color change of the tamarack, or western larch, with sampling of the area’s outstanding recipes from soup to chocolate. (406-837-4400)

• Wine and Food Festival, Nov. 6, Sidney. Champagne, chardonnay or zinfandel tasting (also nonalcoholic specialty drinks and beers) with silent art auction, offerings from area restaurants, souvenir wine glasses. (406-488-2357, www.foundationforcommunitycare.org)

• Holiday Market Place, Nov. 19-20, Missoula. The 28th annual arts and crafts sale at the Missoula Fairgrounds features hand-painted wood items, locally made pottery, wrought iron for the home and garden, handmade candles, soaps, soft sculptures, silk and dry florals, quilting, gemstone beaded jewelry and dough and clay creations. (406-543-8798)

Source: Travel Montana (800-VISIT-MT, www.visitmt.com)