News & Events
Lewis & Clark Festival
June 17 - 19, 2022
Discover the World of Lewis and Clark, 1805 at the 32nd Annual Lewis and Clark Festival, June 17-19, 2022.
Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, along with Sacagawea and the Corps of Discovery, spent nearly a month in the Great Falls area in June of 1805, having encountered one of their biggest obstacles – the series of waterfalls known as the Great Falls of the Missouri. The Lewis and Clark Festival re-lives the adventure and hardship of life in the 1805 frontier encountered by the Corps of Discovery.
Events begin Friday, June 17, 2022 with "An Intimate Dinner with Thomas Jefferson". starting with cocktails at 6:00p.m. (cash bar) and dinner at 6:30p.m. Mr. Bill Barker, the country's premiere Thomas Jefferson re-enactor will be the guest of honor at the Arvon Hotel in Dark Horse Hall. Tickets are $70.00 for members and $75.00 for non-members. Seating is limited so be sure you get your tickets early. Dinner will be a Charbroiled steak (prepared medium) with a mushroom demi-glaze, seasonal vegetables, loaded baked potato, salad & garlic bread.
On Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 10:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. enjoy professional Native American dancers, a tepee encampment, a live snake demonstration as well children and their families will enjoy the Lewis and Clark Adventure Challenge, which takes place at several stations on the grounds of the Center, and along the Missouri River.
As a special treat Mr. Bill Barker will be hosting 2 performances for the public in the Center theater at 2 and 5pm and is FREE to the public! These events will be limited to 150 people at each performance, and advance reservations are required.
The nationally renowned Lewis and Clark Honor Guard will throughout the day fire many of the weapons used by the explorers. Saturday's events will feature fully functioning reproduction firearms, along with detailed explanations of where they were acquired, and their use during the expedition. All of the firearms will be loaded and fired with a blank charge. As a staple of military units and a necessity of survival, firearms were essential for the Corps of Discovery. The Honor Guard will also give presentations in period dress every hour, in the Council Lodge Presentation Area. Programs may include The Edge of Survival, featuring the Corps’ diet and cooking techniques, and Bleed, Purge and Pray: Medicine Lewis and Clark Style. An animal skinning demonstration has been a popular program in the past.
We will also have some arts & crafts vendors; food concessions and the Great Falls Trolley will be here for your enjoyment as well.
On Sunday, June 19, 2022, at 7:00a.m. Hop aboard a Motorcoach and enjoy a leisurely trip out to the Gates of the Mountains. On the way, master historian & interpreter, Austin Haney, will be aboard sharing his vast knowledge on Lewis & Clark and the area as we make our way to our final destination. Once we arrive at the Gates of the Mountains, we will board one of their tour boats and embark on a 2-hour tour with a guide sharing all the exciting stories of the area. There will be many opportunities for amazing photos and exciting information and history. Upon our return, we will enjoy a homemade sack lunch at the Gates of the Mountains, and then hop back on the Motorcoach for a relaxing trip home. Tickets are $75.00 per person and include transportation to & from, tour and lunch! Seating is again limited so please don't be disappointed, get your tickets early!
Saturday, events are free to the public, and are held at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.
The Lewis and Clark Festival is organized by the Lewis & Clark Foundation, with support from the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard and the Portage Route Chapter.
For more information on all of the Lewis and Clark Festival activities, stay tuned to this website, or feel free to call the Lewis and Clark Foundation at (406) 452-5661.
If you are travelling to the event and are looking for accommodations here are a couple places to check out:
Heritage Inn - Great Falls Hotel with Casino & Sports Bar (gfheritageinn.com)
Staybridge Suites Great Falls | Extended Stay Hotel in Great Falls, MT (ihg.com)
Words can't begin to describe the gratitude we have for the amazing show of support for this year's auction!
We are humbled and our hearts are full, and we can't thank you all enough!
Kelly Paladino, Director of Sales & Special Events
Items won during the 17th Annual Trail Mixer Auction
are available for pick up at the
Portage Cache Gift Shop located in the
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.
4201 Giant Springs Road .
A huge shout out to all our Sponsors & Donors for their amazing support! You are leaders in our community and we are so grateful for your generosity!
Scheels * K & K Trucking * Mitchell's Crash Repair * Taco Johns * Portage Route Chapter * Contract Flooring/Carpet One * Sara Mayben
Montana Milling * Blue Cross - Blue Shield * Mr. Tune Up