We headed up to Eureka Montana for their annual 3 day party that started out as a black powder club shoot and has grown into one of the best party in Northwestern Montana. It also celebrates the discovery of the Tobacco Valley:

The story:
In the spring of 1808 premier surveyor and mapping expert for The Northwest Trading Company David Thompson, left his recently established trading post on Lake Windermere (BC) and began exploring the then McGilvray River (now known as the Kootenay). On or about April 26, 1808, Thompson and his wife Charlotte along with their young children camped at what is now the mouth of the Tobacco River. Porting his canoe, Thompson immediately took note of the natives growing tobacco on the banks of the river and called the area "Tobacco Meadows"
 

The kickoff dinner and concert were great. Hill and I got up to Eureka Friday afternoon in time to catch some black powder pistol shooting and got a tour of the primitive campsites, where folks camp like they did back in the turn of the 20th century.

After watching the guys and the girls with their black powder pistols shoot at multiple stations, we headed to the Koocanusa Arena for the kick off dinner. The definition of a good time. Warm up at the bar area out front with the frosty beverage of your choice, then head to the chow line. Taylors famous BBQ beef brisket, coleslaw, dinner roll, and BBQ baked beans was served and it was delicious. During dinner we were entertained by local talents 'Sarah Henderson and The Front porch Band' then Kayla and Holly Vanbemmel took over for a set.

After dinner we checked out the hot-rods parked around the arena. At 8pm they moved the cars and they opened up the dance floor for the Pacific Northwest's Smash Hit Carnival. They were great. Smash Hit Carnival has a great stage show and they dress according to whatever groups music they are playing. The lead singer is a spitting image of Mick Jagger. they also did music by The Cars, Tom Petty, the Supremes and more. they packed the dance floor and everyone had a blast.

Other Rendezvous Days events for the weekend include the famous lasagna feed, the HUGE downtown parade, sand drag racing, rough stock rodeo, arm wrestling, green horn black powder shoot, a mud bog competition, an unbelievable hot-rod show, a quilt show, flea market and craft vendors with games and music. There is something for everyone at the Rendezvous Days in Eureka, Montana. Definitely a fun weekend not to be missed.