EVENT SESSION
Eventful Trip to Crow Fair: My Montana Adventure
On Friday, I kicked off the day by filming a wedding in Chicago, wrapping up the evening by hustling back to Corning, Iowa, to pick up my mom. By the time I rolled into town, it was 3 a.m. and I was running on fumes. I snagged a quick catnap before hitting the road bright and early, Montana-bound. Fueled by Starbucks and Post Malone's latest drop, the drive had a soundtrack and enough caffeine to keep me going. My mom and I road-tripped in her convertible (not the best idea for a long haul, as my legs can attest—cramping like no other by the time we arrived). But despite the discomfort, we finally rolled into the Crow Fair Powwow. Initially, we thought we’d just swing by, thinking nothing would be happening that late at night. Boy, were we wrong!
The powwow was alive. The lights were bright, the dances in full swing—it was electric. To top it off, I bumped into Dwight, a guy I’d met on social media. The story of how we connected is wild, but for now, let’s just say our paths crossed at the powwow. We watched the mesmerizing dances together, grabbed some food, and soaked in the lively atmosphere. But, knowing we had a packed day ahead, my mom and I called it a night and headed to our hotel for some much-needed rest.
The next day was packed. We kicked it off with a quick stop at Taco John’s for a bite before the Crow Fair parade. (Note to self: skip fast food next time—Crow Fair has plenty of delicious options.) The parade was full of color and culture, lasting about an hour and leaving us in awe. Then it was off to the jackpot roping event. Dwight promised to show me the ropes, and I was all in, camera in hand, ready to capture some shots. My mom, however, wasn’t as into the roping as I was, so she made her way to the concession stand for a fresh vodka lemonade while I immersed myself in the action. When she returned, her mood had shifted: as the event did as well "Now that was pretty cool," she said after catching some of the intense relay action. I couldn’t agree more. We stayed for a bit of the rodeo, but eventually, it was time to head back home.
With a senior session on my agenda and early drive home the next day, I had to be on my A-game. And with my tiny bladder (seriously, it's like the size of a walnut I swear), we made many pit stops along the way. But one stop was especially fun: the 1880 Town in Midland, South Dakota. We couldn't resist playing dress-up and snapping a few photos to really embrace the Western vibe. It was the perfect addition to our Crow Fair adventure. After spending a little more time than planned at 1880 Town, we treated ourselves to a fancy dinner and decided to stay the night at a cozy hotel. It was the perfect ending to a whirlwind trip, one that made me realize how much I want to prioritize these spontaneous, fun getaways.
A Quick Word About Crow Fair if you want to add this one to your list. If you've never been, let me tell you: Crow Fair is not something to miss. Known as the “Teepee Capital of the World,” this celebration is held every August in Montana. It’s the largest Native American encampment, with over 1,200 teepees set up across the landscape. Between the rodeos, Indian Relay races, parades, and endless cultural celebrations, Crow Fair is a vibrant, immersive experience into Native culture. To stay updated on future events, be sure to follow them on Facebook. This trip was such a blast.
A huge thank you to Pete Big Hair from Prairie Meadows for introducing me to Della Big Hair. Della, thank you for sharing your beautiful artwork with me and for giving my mom and I such a wonderful tour around Crow Fair. Dwight, I appreciate the photo ops while you and your friends roped and did what you love. And to Bethany Not Afraid, thank you for introducing me to your incredible daughter, Hadley Not Afraid, the Montana Flay Queen, please correct me if I'm wrong. To everyone else we met along the way—thank you for making this trip unforgettable.
Here’s to many more adventures
-JP
