At the end of this summer, four thousand sheep will come down out of the rugged Crazy Mountains to participate in Reedpoint, Montana's finest hour. The area is officially Big Timber country and the mountains are called the "Crazies" by locals.
On the Sunday (Sept. 4th) before Labor Day, locals and several thousands of visitors will converge on Reedpoint (pop. 185) to experience something like the exhilaration and terror that brought fame to Pamplona, Spain.
It all began in 1989, when the townsfolk celebrated the Montana State Centennial by kicking-off the annual Big Timber sheep drive that ends every year with the thrilling "RUNNING OP THE EWES" through the six-blocks of downtown Reedpoint.
Like Pamplona, the hysteria of the pressing crowd and the heat of the day seems to drive the animals into a frenzy. Revelers put themselves in harm’s way. The hooves thunder and the beasts snort...or rather, the hooves patter and beasts bleat.
But this Montana "run" features something that you'll never see in Pamplona. These critters actually spring up and leap over each other as they charge down the congested streets of Reedpoint. They are anxious to get out of town and back to their home in the Crazies.
Another advantage of this event over its Spanish counterpart is that nobody ever gets gored or stomped to death. The most common injury seems to be wool burns suffered by those bystanders who don't have the savvy to wear long pants while running with the sheep.
The sheep, however have suffered some fatalities, although not during the actual event. A few years back, as the sheep were being herded down out of the Crazies, a car came speeding around a curve in the highway and killed 22 of them. Remember if you drive in the Big Timber country; herds of sheep on the road are common and they have the legal right-of-way.
There is a parade on the week-end along with several other events like teams of horses competing in "precision cultivating".
A prize is awarded to the smelliest sheepherder. And, of course, there is that perennial Montana favorite, the "Ugliest Sheep Contest".
There are lots of booths, crafts and food stands,over 70 vendors lining the main street and a special area of Children's Rides and Petting Zoo.
A visit to the Hotel Montana with its Wild Horse Saloonis a must. The Hotel has been carefully restored with genuine artifacts and offers five rooms as bed and breakfast.
If you can't make it to Pamplona this year, then go to Reedpoint, Montana on Labor Day Weekend. Local spokespersons promise, "We don't fleece anybody". The parade includes the Shriner's Band, floats, antique cars, covered wagons, horse groups and more.
Reedpoint is about 45 miles west of Billings, just off the 1-90 interstate at exit 392.
Lodgings are scarce in Reedpoint but there is a big camp ground in town. Several motels and hotels are available 20 miles away in Columbus and Big Timber, More rooms are available at Livingston and Billings which are both less than an hour's drive from Reedpoint.
Call 406-326-2315 for more information
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