The Long Way
Madison County
An aerial view shows a rural fairground alongside a winding river.
Plate I. Aerial view of Madison County Fairgrounds. From madisoncountymtfairgrounds.com
Three young women wearing cowboy hats sit on a rail watching an event.
Plate II. Rodeo spectators, Madison County Fair & Rodeo. From madisoncountymtfairgrounds.com
Fair office, Madison County Fairgrounds.
Plate III. Fair office, Madison County Fairgrounds. Photograph by Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grounds of Madison County Fair & Rodeo.
Plate IV. Grounds of Madison County Fair & Rodeo. Photograph by Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Log buildings, Madison County Fairgrounds.
Plate V. Log buildings, Madison County Fairgrounds. Photograph by Jon Roanhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Madison County Fair & Rodeo

Twin Bridges, Madison County, Montana. FAIRGROUNDS; Aug 05 - Aug 09, 2026.

Details

Map. Twin Bridges, Madison County, Montana. Larger map
Where
2 Fairgrounds Loop, Twin Bridges, MT. Directions
When
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1.
Getting there
Proceed on main street through Twin Bridges, turn on Highway 41 South which goes to Dillon, cross river bridge and the fairgrounds is on the left.
Fees
$35 per night no hook ups $70 per night with electricity.
Hours
Summer Hours: 8AM-5PM Monday-Friday Winter Hours: 9AM-4PM Monday-Thursday.
Phone
406-684-5824
Managed by
Amy Robbins Fair Manager.

Madison County Fairgrounds has lots to do for everyone. This is a place for family fun.

Notable Events

  1. 1889Mortimer Lott built the earlier grandstand and 1 mile track that the present grandstand and racetrack replaced. npgallery.nps.gov
  2. 1894Mortimer Lott built the Square Building, which has always served as one of the central gathering spots at the fair. npgallery.nps.gov
  3. 1896The Jeffers Building dates back to 1896 and reflects an early chapter of Madison County's history. madisoncountymtfairgrounds.com
  4. 1928The fair was not held after 1928 due to the depressed economic conditions in the county. npgallery.nps.gov
  5. 1930The two families who owned the Fair Ground property sold the land to Madison County for $2995.50. npgallery.nps.gov
  6. 1935The federal Works Progress Administration approved funding assistance for rebuilding the unused fairground. historicmt.org
  7. 1936Construction began, putting a great number of unemployed residents back to work. historicmt.org
  8. 1937Seven new log buildings and one remodeled 1890s structure were completed, built of locally gathered lodgepole pine and fir. historicmt.org
  9. 1983The Beaverhead River flooded the grounds, severely damaging the interior of the main pavilion building. npgallery.nps.gov

People

  • Fred Sommers, local foreman brought out of retirement with a special waiver from Washington to supervise the project.
  • Tosten Stenberg, directed construction; known for his log structures in Yellowstone Park.
  • C. D. Paxton, WPA engineer who designed the octagonal Pavilion (1936).
  • Mortimer Lott, built the first grandstand and 1 mile track and the Square Building.

Sources

  1. madisoncountymtfairgrounds.com/schedule-of-events
  2. madisoncountymtfairgrounds.com/about
  3. rmaf.net/events/2026/madison-county-fair--rodeo
  4. madisoncountymt.gov/210/Madison-County-Fair-Rodeo
  5. madisoncountymtfairgrounds.com
  6. madisoncountymtfairgrounds.com/fairground-information
  7. madisoncountymtfairgrounds.com/contact
  8. rmaf.net/business/madison-county-fair--rodeo
  9. rmaf.net/businessesPrint.aspx?c=28&co=2
  10. madisoncountymt.gov/directory.aspx?did=21
  11. facebook.com/p/Madison-County-MT-Fairgrounds-and-Rodeo-61567836114707
  12. visitmt.com/listings/general/fairgrounds/madison-county-fairgrounds
  13. southwestmt.com/listings/madison-county-fairgrounds