The BobFest 2026

Friday, October 16th, 2026
5:00 - 9:00 PM
Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building

We’re bringing the Bob to you! Join the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation for our annual year-end celebration and fundraiser.

The great Bob get-together! Gather with fellow wilderness enthusiasts and help us celebrate another beautiful summer spent giving back to the Bob. Our annual gala includes live music, food, drinks, and wilderness-themed activities for the whole family – plus an incredible array of auction and raffle prizes with local art, outdoor gear, adventures and getaways, handcrafted goods, and more!

Don’t miss this rip-roaring good time to help us raise essential funds for hands-on stewardship in the spectacular Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex!

EVENT SCHEDULE:

5:00 pm: Doors open!
Music starts; raffles and silent auctions open; no-host bar opens; Meet the Mules and crosscut station/competition begin; Kid’s Corner and photo booth open.
5:45 pm: Welcome from Executive Director, Clifford Kipp
6:00 pm: Dinner is served! Taco bar buffet opens.
First manty wrapping demo with our Master Packers next to Meet the Mules.
7:00 pm: Second manty wrapping demo with our Master Packers next to Meet the Mules.
Last chance to Meet the Mules, enter the crosscut competition, and snap a pic at the photo booth!
8:00 pm: All activities, raffles and silent auction CLOSE!
Winners are drawn; check raffle table and silent auction app to see if you’ve won!
Crosscut competition winners announced.
Live Auction BEGINS! Raise your paddle to win these extra special items exclusively at the event (TBA soon!).
Paddle Raise following the live auction – THANK YOU for generously supporting our work in the Bob!
9:00 pm: Event closes. Grab your prizes and your loved ones on your way out! Thank you so much for joining us!!

TICKETS!

Tickets include dinner, dessert, access to the full slate of activities (see below!) and live music for the evening. All ticket proceeds support our stewardship projects in the Bob next summer!

Adults (13+): $50 (Increase to $60 after October 11th)
Youth: (6-12): $10 (Increase to $15 after October 11th)
Kids (5 and under): Free! Please still “purchase” a ticket for your kiddos so we have an accurate head count for the evening.

Sponsor a Table

Reserve a spot for you and your friends at the Bob, and support our work while you’re at it! We have two VIP table sponsor levels available:

Chinese Wall: $2,500 – Includes: Reserved 8-top round table // Table sponsor recognition at event // 8 event tickets // 40 raffle tickets (5 per person) // 16 drink tickets (2 per person) // Appetizer for the table // Dessert for the table
Big Prairie: $1,000 – Includes: Reserved 8-top round table // 8 event tickets // 40 raffle tickets (5 per person)

Limited number available! Purchase a table at our ticket link, or contact Clifford Kipp at clifford@bmwf.org or (406) 387-3847.

Get Your Tickets Here!

Can’t make it to the BobFest?

You can still join in the fun with our silent auction! Our online auction is filled with an incredible selection of Wilderness adventures and relaxing getaways, plus some special pieces of outdoor gear, art and gifts. You can bid from the event, or from afar to win these amazing prizes. Stay tuned for more details!

In 2026, the BobFest will feature:

THE MOSSY ROCK COMBO

Family-friendly folk-grass originals, covers, and plenty of good cheer from the Flathead Valley.

TACO BAR BUFFET DINNER

Street tacos with all the fixin’s courtesy of The Salty Calf in Kalispell. GF and vegetarian friendly.

LOCAL BEER & WINE

No-host bar with craft beer donated by Sacred Waters Brewing Co., wine donated by Pack Mule Liquor, plus N/A options.

DESSERT

A delicious after-dinner treat generously donated by Cere’s Bakery in Kalispell.

MEET THE MULES

…who help us in the Bob, and give them some love and treats to thank them for their hard work this summer!

MANTY WRAPPING DEMOS

Learn how to wrap and tie a load for a mule with live demonstrations from the pros.

CROSSCUT COMPETITION

Grab a partner and try your hand at pulling the misery whip. Enter your best time for a chance to win a prize from the Bob Shop!

CAMPFIRE CORNER, KID’S CORNER & PHOTOBOOTH!

Catch up with friends around the “fire" while the kiddos explore wilderness-themed games and activities. Grab a group photo at The Looking Glass photo booth!