Bannack Days Celebrates 50 Years as Montana Tradition Returns to Historic Ghost Town This Weekend

BANNACK, Mont. — As the nation celebrates America's 250th birthday, one of Southwest Montana's most beloved living history events is also reaching a major milestone. Bannack Days returns this weekend to Bannack State Park, marking its 50th anniversary since the celebration first began during the nation's Bicentennial in 1976.

Ahead of this weekend's festivities, the Bannack Association hosted a special potluck Friday evening to recognize several of the volunteers and community members whose vision and dedication helped establish Bannack Days half a century ago.

The celebration paid tribute to the individuals who helped transform Montana's first territorial capital into one of the state's premier historical events, preserving the stories and traditions of the Old West for generations of visitors.

A Celebration Born from America's Bicentennial

The idea for Bannack Days began in 1976 as communities came together to celebrate America's 200th Birthday at Bannack.

At the time, Roy Herseth, then park manager of Bannack State Park, worked alongside local organizations and volunteers to organize what would become the first Bannack Days celebration.

Fifty years later, the event has grown into an annual tradition that draws thousands of visitors from across Montana and beyond.

During Friday night's potluck, the Bannack Association honored seven individuals who played key roles in launching the event. While only a few were able to attend in person, each has left a lasting impact on the history of Bannack Days.

Stan Smith Helped Bring the Old West to Life

Among those honored was Stan Smith, who helped organize the very first gunfight reenactment at Bannack Days in 1976.

Smith and a group of friends created the original gunfight skit before later forming the Just Us Gunfighters, a group that eventually became known as the Just Us Old West Reenactors.

Today, the group continues to entertain visitors during Bannack Days, the annual Ghost Walk, and the reenactment of the Hanging of Henry Plummer.

Smith also played a major role in establishing the Bannack Association during the 1990s and later served as its president.

Cathy Speich-Ferguson Has Volunteered at 49 Bannack Days

Another longtime volunteer recognized was Cathy Speich-Ferguson, whose contributions have become one of the event's most popular attractions.

As part of Dillon's Mizpah Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Speich-Ferguson helped clean and furnish the historic Jackson House for the first Bannack Days so visitors could experience pioneer homemaking demonstrations.

Volunteers baked bread on the original cookstove, prepared stew, churned butter, knitted, and demonstrated traditional crafts.

The following year, Speich-Ferguson demonstrated candle making, which eventually evolved into the candle-dipping activity enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.

She has volunteered at 49 Bannack Days, missing only one event to attend a family reunion in Michigan.

Tracy Roberts Shares Her Family's Bannack Legacy

Tracy Roberts, who now owns Roberts Rattlesnake Creek Alpacas in Argenta, was just 12 years old when the first Bannack Days took place.

Her family was involved with the Argenta Citizen League, which used the event as a fundraiser to bring telephone service to Argenta.

Roberts dressed as a saloon girl while selling soda and ice cream inside Skinner's Saloon, while her grandfather demonstrated gold panning for visitors.

Her family also donated the historic barber chair that still sits inside Skinner's Saloon today.

Their efforts were successful, raising enough money to bring telephone lines to the Argenta community.

Remembering the Original Gunfighters

The Bannack Association also recognized the contributions of Tim Cantin, Lee Cantin, and Derrick Cantin, who joined Stan Smith in performing the original gunfight reenactments during the first Bannack Days in 1976.

Derrick Cantin was expected to attend Friday's celebration, while Tim Cantin may participate in this weekend's gunfight performances. Lee Cantin was unable to attend this year's event.

Bannack Days Returns This Weekend

The 50th Annual Bannack Days begins Saturday, July 18, and continues through Sunday, July 19, at Bannack State Park near Dillon.

Visitors can experience live Old West gunfight reenactments, candle dipping, gold panning, pioneer demonstrations, blacksmithing, historic building tours, food vendors, and dozens of living history exhibits that showcase what life was like in Bannack, Montana, during the 1800s.

As Bannack Days celebrates five decades, this year's event serves not only as a tribute to America's 250th birthday but also to the volunteers whose passion and dedication have kept Montana's history alive for generations.

Whether it's your first visit or a family tradition, Bannack Days offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience one of Montana's most famous ghost towns while honoring the people who built one of Southwest Montana's longest-running community celebrations.