The BobFest 2026

THANK YOU for coming!! Let’s do it again next year!

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 by Mossy Rock Combo; raffles and silent auctions open; no-host bar opens; all activities 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 bid on the silent auction and buy raffle tickets!
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.
8:10 pm: Live Auction and Paddle Raise! Raise your paddle to win extra special items exclusively at the event.
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)

Must reserve before Monday, Oct 12th! Limited number available. Purchase a table at our ticket link, or contact Clifford Kipp at clifford@bmwf.org or (406) 387-3847.

Online Silent Auction: Bid Now!

The Silent Auction is open for bidding now! Whether you're near or far, our silent auction is online and open for anyone to bid on through 8 PM on Friday. If you're coming to the BobFest, this is a great time to set up your account with your first bid so it's extra easy to bid at the event. If you can't make it, this is your chance to still join in on the fun and support our work!

Thanks to our so many generous businesses, artists and makers, we have an incredible array of items for you to win this year. Wild adventures, relaxing getaways, sturdy outdoor gear, beautiful pieces of art, and handmade goods and gifts – we hope that everyone finds something they love.

See the full list of items (make sure to click "View More" to see everything!) and start bidding now to set up your account. Thank you for bidding for the Bob!

Bid on the Silent Auction Now!

In 2026, the BobFest will feature:

THE MOSSY ROCK COMBO

An original NW Montana stringband jamming a lively mix of grooving music rooted in western lore, crag, valley, and forest. Let’s stomp a foot for the Bob!

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!