Montana Festival of the Wind celebrates the big blow

Published: June 9, 2010

The fourth annual Montana Festival of the Wind, June 12-20 in Harlowton and Judith Gap, celebrates the state's seemingly endless supply of wind and its largest wind energy center with a variety of wind-related events and activities.  

The Festival of the Wind kicks off June 12 with the Invenergy golf tournament, a fishing derby and the Best WIND-ow Contest. Activities from June 13-17 include kite-flying, horseshoe and pool tournaments, an air-rifle shooting contest, a kickball tournament and a classic car show.

Tour the Judith Gap Energy Center, Montana’s largest wind farm, from 3-5 p.m. Friday. The farm, which opened in 2005, boasts 90 wind turbines, 260 feet high, with rotors that sweep up to 387 feet into the air. Each turbine produces enough energy to power 300 homes per year.

On Saturday, June 19, festivities include a 5k run, a craft fair, Wind Energy Trade Show, golf tournament, the ever-popular Wind Bag Contest. The Show and Shine for the "Ride the Wind" Rally opens at 9 a.m. on Central Ave., with a motorcycle rodeo at 3 p.m.

The "Ride the Wind" Rally Tour departs at 8 a.m. Sunday from Wade's Drive Inn.

For details, call 406-632-4694 or visit www.harlowtonchamber.com.