The 4th Annual Beers, Bands & Public Lands celebration in Missoula was the best one yet!
Despite our efforts to push the event back a month in hopes of summer weather, the first Friday in June still sent us a few Montana spring squalls. More than one-thousand Public Land Owners were undeterred though and showed up in force to experience the more than two dozen local Montana breweries and cideries, killer raffles, two live bands, six local food trucks and some good ol' public land advocacy and celebration!
There was plenty to cheers to that day, having just heard that Senator Tester had re-introduced the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, a piece of legislation representing some of the most dynamic collaborations this state has seen. In between our two live bands - Jackson Holte and the Highway Patrol and Idle Ranch Hands - we were treated with an appearance from our Senior Senator who took the mic for a few moments to talk about that important piece of legislation as well as the need to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Senator Tester sure got the crowd fired up and sparked our thirst for action!
The whole shindig could not have happened if it were not for the 100+ volunteers who showed up to help or without the generous sponsors who donated raffle items and helped promote the event - folks like Sitka Gear, Stone Glacier, and Montana Fly Company, who also tabled and hosted interactive games at the brewfest, all the while raising even more money for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.
Traeger Grills, OnX Hunt, Seek Outside, YETI, First Lite, Black Coffee Roasting Company, Native Eyewear and others also added to the raffle pile. Always a crowd-pleaser, TWO Wheelbarrows o’ Booze were also raffled off thanks to the generous folks at Rattlesnake Creek Distillers, The Montana Distillery, Montgomery Distillery, Bozeman Spirits Distillery, Headframe Spirits, Glacier Distilling Company, Spotted Bear Spirits, Whistling Andy Distilling and Steel Toe Distillery!
Thanks to everyone who showed up to raise a glass for the places, the wildlife and the waters that BHA members stand up for day in and day out.
We'll see you all on June 5th, 2020!
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Photos provided by BHA staffers Zack Williams and Alex Kim
About Hannah Nikonow
Hannah works as a communications specialist for a bird habitat conservation organization in Missoula. She is eager to follow in the boot tracks of those currently speaking out for the protection of public lands.