Competitions
From Montana trivia to bed races down Main Street, there's a competition for every age. Below are the 2026 events that will be returning in 2027. Please stay tuned for the schedule and registration information.
Trivia Night
Hosted by Shalon Norick · Sponsored by Grand Bar & Ru's Tiber Marina
- • 7:00 PM at the Grand Bar. $20 per team, paid in cash before trivia starts.
- • Max 8 teams, 6 people per team — first come, first served.
- • Categories are all things Montana. Each team can star one round to double its points.
- • NO CELL PHONES OUT — even for texting.
Prizes
- 1st: $200 cash (Ru's Tiber Marina)
- 2nd: $100 cash (Grand Bar)
- 3rd: $50 cash
Cribbage Tournament
Hosted by Shea Kumaewa-Norick
- • Registration 3:30 PM at 1st St. Mercantile, tourney at 4:00 PM.
- • Standard rules, no muggins. Max 16 players, double elimination.
- • Free entry with an unexpired food bank donation! Register in person.
- • Questions? Call Shea at (406) 493-8218.
Prizes
- 1st: $100 cash & Norika Furs rabbit teddy bear
- 2nd: Handmade cribbage board by Gary Standiford & custom cards
Bed Races
Sponsored by Treasure State Meats & Montana Roots Accounting
- • $150 per team of 5. Max 8 teams.
- • $100 to the Best Dressed Team!
Hi-Line Rancher Ski Race
Hosted by Fritz Auction
- • For those who don't want to sprint in the bed races! Right after the bed races.
- • $20 per team of 4, max 8 teams, double elimination. Winners take half the pot; the rest helps the festival grow.
Kids' Trike Races
- • 2:30–4:00 PM in front of the Public Library.
- • Bring your own trike or use one of the 2 supplied.
Corn Hole Tournament
Hosted by Jordan Oraw · Sponsored by Corder and Associates & Kaitlyn and Logan Lyders
- • Register on festival day.
- • New: the losers' bracket winner may challenge the winners' bracket winner for the title.
Prizes
- 1st: $300 cash
- 2nd: $100 cash
Cook Off: Tomahawks, Ribs & Wings
Sponsors incl. B Heart Cattle, Tip Top Lounge, Terra Firma Organics, AgGro Weather Media & Flathead Boat Rental
- • $20 per team member (max 3), or $50 to compete in all 3 meats. Max 10 teams per meat.
Prizes
- Tomahawks 1st: Komodo Joe grill (Western Lumber) + $200
- Ribs 1st: Tabletop Blackstone (Wilbur Ellis) + $200
- Wings 1st: Half-day pontoon rental on Flathead Lake + $200
- Plus Smith & Rogue gear, golf at Marias & a Showdown ski package
Bake Off: Pie & Cheesecake
Junior & Adult divisions
- • $5 per pie or cheesecake team — unlimited entries!
- • Bring it in a disposable pan to the Tip Top Lounge by 1:00 PM.
- • Top 3 are auctioned for the festival, with a % going to the Chester Food Bank.
Prizes
- Adults 1st: $100 cash, J&M Salon gift basket & Lodge cast iron
- Juniors 1st: $100 cash & a gift basket
Dance Competition
Hosted by Savannah Riggin
- • At the stage downtown during Wylie & the Wild West's set at 5:00 PM!
Prizes
- Adults 1st: River's Edge Greenhouse gift basket
- Juniors 1st: Northern Plains Insurance & Smith & Rogue gift basket
Hall of fame
2025 Winners
Trivia Night
Chester Pharmacy's 'Dose of Genius'
Cribbage
Justin 'Hoss' Ratzburg
Pinball
Nash Ramberg
Duck Drop
Melissa Kantorowicz
Fun Run
Tara Case & Garrison Riggin
Dance
Lane & Daycee Lerum
Bed Races
South Africans (1st St. Mercantile)
Bed Race Calcutta
1st St. Mercantile
JH Bed Races
Speed Kills
Rancher Plank Walk
Class of 1985
Zucchini Growing
Heston Jones
Pies
Carol Fulbright — Lemon Meringue
Cheesecake
Susan Van Dessel — German Chocolate
Pie/Cheesecake Grand Champ
Carol Fulbright
Cornhole 1st
Dolan Hull & Eric Klein
Cornhole 2nd
Javin Miles & Tyson Hull
Brisket 1st
Peyton Cole & Christiaan
Ribs 1st
Adam Fitzpatrick
Wings 1st
Adam Fitzpatrick
Overall Meats 1st
Peyton Cole