White Sulphur Springs Comes Alive

Red Ants Pants festival gears up

 A Havre nurse is the winner of the 2016 MontANTa contest - a statewide red ant scavenger hunt and photo contest. Sharman Mosher captured photos of our giant red ant on a grain elevator in Havre along with a red ant hidden near the Dinosaurs of Two Medicine at the Old Trail Museum in Choteau. Moser’s VIP prize package is worth more than $2,000.
 
The contest was part of the Red Ants Pants festival’s effort to celebrate Montana’s rural industries and communities while encouraging folks to take some of the roads less traveled on the way to the 6th Red Ants Pants Music Festival. Giant red ants were placed on grain elevators, small businesses and community icons in Choteau, Havre, Kalispell, Miles City and White Sulphur Springs.
 
“We were completely amazed by all of the folks who shared photos and stories from some of the roads less traveled in Montana. The festival is all about bringing good folks together to celebrate rural Montana and this contest was a fun way to get the road trip started a little early,” said Sarah Calhoun, founder and producer of the Red Ants Pants Music Festival. As the festival heads into its 6th year, organizers are aiming to spotlight the mission and values of the Red Ants Pants Foundation. Proceeds from the festival have generated more than $65,000 in grants distributed to working family farms and ranches and women’s leadership projects.

TOP TEN FESTIVAL PRO-TIPS

Whether you’re a seasoned festival pro or a new to the whole adventure, we want you to have an epic experience at the 6th Red Ants Pants Music Festival kicking off on Thursday, July 28th – 31st, 2016! Here’s a curated list of the top 10 pro-tips to help you have an amazing festival experience:
 

  1. Bring your lawn game skills & get ready to shake a leg!

“Hold my beer and watch this!”

NEW this year – White Sulphur Springs’ new craft brewery 2 Basset Brewery will be hosting an epic game of cornhole right by the beer tent. Also new this year – BigLife Magazine will be hosting leisure games in the campground!

“Swing yer pardner!”

PLUS…We are proud to present our first-ever Square Dance as part of the Thursday night street dance on Main Street in White Sulphur Springs. You can swing yer pardner all weekend long with our new dance area set up near the main stage next to the artist merch tent!

 

red ants pants

The only thing better than a late night jam session in the campground…is handcrafted espresso new to the campground this year! Catch Rosie’s Espresso owned and operated by third-generation Montanan, Amber Martinsen.

 Check out the Schedule & Research Bands in Advance

Get the schedule beforehand.  Decide what you want to see and prioritize so you don't miss anything!  Check out the full schedule with main lineup, side stage, demonstrations, crosscut competition, Montana Beard & Moustache State Championships, sunrise yoga, square dancing at the Street Dance and more: http://redantspantsmusicfestival.com/2016-schedule/
 
Want to view the schedule on your mobile device?  Simply go to http://redantspantsmusicfestival.com/2016-schedule/ and choose “Add to Home Screen” to have the 2016 schedule handy all festival weekend long!
 
We all love a good sing-a-long!! Our guess is there are a lot of bands you already love and know all of their lyrics…take some time to look into some of the up and coming acts. Who knows, you might just find your next favorite band!
Main Stage lineup HERE; Side Stage lineup HERE.
  
3.  Get Social!
Get to know your neighbors, they might be your new besties! And, when you snap those new-friend selfies, be sure to send them our way on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and use the hashtag #RedAntsPantsMusicFestival.
 
Our official Twitter handle is: @RAPFestival and we have created a new handle @RedAntsPantsAnt
Our official hashtag for 2016 is #RedAntsPantsMusicFestival. We love to share fan photos on our Red Ants Pants Music Festival Facebook page HERE. Catch us on Instagram as well!
Pro-Tip: Connect with even more folks by tagging photos using the Montana Office of Tourism’s hashtag #MontanaMoment.
 
4.  More Mobile Than Ever! We’re DOUBLING service on our Free Festival shuttle! 
To make it even quicker and easier to get around, we are doubling the number of rides available through our free shuttle service between the festival grounds and the town of White Sulphur Springs. The shuttle will stop at two locations on the festival grounds and various locations in White Sulphur Springs. The shuttle will generally be operating throughout the festival, but be sure to check the festival schedule for shuttle hours. Please no drinking and driving. 

Shuttle Drop off/Pick up Locations:

  • Main Festival Grounds Entrance

  • Campground Entrance

  • Springs Campground

  • All Seasons Inn / Montana Roadhouse / Garden Shop and Espresso

  • The Spa Hot Springs Motel//Tenderfoot Motel

  • Red Ants Pants Store / Downtown Main Street

  • Truck Stop Café / Castle Mountain Grocery

  • Conestoga Campground  

5. Cover your Bases and Pack like your Mama is watching!
Make sure you bring sunscreen, and a hat...and pack for all kinds of weather!
 
If you’re bringing a camping stove (small camping stoves are allowed, but please use good judgment! This is Montana fire season and we don’t need to demonstrate how quickly a grass fire burns. You can also pick up stuff like eggs, bacon and burgers in town.  If you run out of supplies, there are more than 30 food and craft vendors (for a full list of vendors click here). Also, the shuttle will take you right to downtown to eat or so you can pick up groceries at the store. Support our White Sulphur businesses by purchasing items while you're here!

Note: The Meagher County Cattle Women will also be serving a hearty breakfast both Saturday and Sunday in the campground.  
 
If you don't use your chair, at least you brought it, make a new friend by offering it to someone who forgot theirs.  People with umbrellas or shade tents will be positioned behind the front rows so they won't obstruct the views.  We will also have shade tents set up to sit under.  Just like if you were on a bus, if you see a pregnant women or someone elderly-- be a good neighbor and lend your seat!
  
6.  Drink lots of water!!
Drink plenty of water.  There is free potable water in the campground and near each shade structure. Many vendors also have bottled water. Please take good care of yourselves in the heat!  White Sulphur Springs Rotary Club will be selling ice by the bag, also available in the campground. As a friendly reminder: no outside alcohol will be allowed into the festival grounds due to liability considerations. Thanks for your cooperation!
 
On Tap
Draft: Summer Honey Seasonal, Pigmy Owl Itty Bitty IPA, Big Sky IPA, Moose Drool Brown Ale, Trout Slayer Wheat Ale, Ivan the Terrible Imperial Stout
Cans: Pigmy Owl Itty Bitty IPA, Scape Goat Pale Ale, Moose Drool Brown Ale, Summer Honey Seasonal Ale, Trout Slayer Wheat Ale, Big Sky IPA, Budweiser, Bud Lite, Bud Lite Lime and Stella Artois Cidre
Wine: Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon
NEW for 2016: Parker’s Hangover Tonic red beers!
Proceeds from our beer and wine sales go to the Red Ants Pants Foundation. So, buying our beverages helps us book top-notch musical talent and supports a great cause. Cheers, and as always, thanks for your support!
 
7. Prepare to find a port-a-potty in the dark
Our port-a-potties are outfitted with glow sticks, but a headlamp sure will help you navigate your way in the dark. Please be extra careful finding your way to them at night!  
 
*We pride ourselves on the cleanest port-a-potties in the West-- if you notice that one needs TP or that one of the hand-washing stations is out of soap, let festival staff know and we'll take care of business.
 
8. Sustainable Fun!
Do your part to help us reduce waste and disposal costs by recycling.  Red Ants Pants Music Festival has partnered with Helena Industries to make recycling easy! Simply look for recycling bins for your plastic bottles and aluminum cans next to trash cans. We also have new beer cups for sale to cut down on waste. Thank you for recycling and keeping Montana beautiful!

9.  Buy your tickets beforehand and save some cash
Day passes are $55 in advance, $60 at the gate.  Weekend tickets are $135 in advance, $150 at the gate.  Tickets available online HERE or at these ticket locations (cash or check only):
 
Forde Nursery, Great Falls
Blackfoot River Brewing, Helena
Kalispell Brewing Company, Kalispell
Rockin’ Rudy’s, Missoula
Headframe Spirits, Butte
Mountain Front Market, Choteau
Lorang PC Law, Havre
Conley’s Books, Livingston
Cactus Records, Bozeman
Big Dipper, Billings
Red Ants Pants, White Sulphur Springs
 
10. Bring your kids! (But leave your animals at home)
NO PETS

Seriously folks, leave them at home. We love listening to loud music, camping and carrying on in the hot sun, they don’t.  The good news is: kids 12 and under are free! Get them started young listening to great music (but bring some ear protection).  Stop by the kids’ tent for fun activities, face painting, treats, and more. Thanks to our sponsors Mountain Sky Guest Ranch & Mamalode Magazine, this year we’ve expanded the tent to provide a Parent's Lounge for all those hard workin' mamas and papas! 

For parents with wee ones, it is a great place to rest in the shade. Changing table, baby potties, and feeding area will be available. Please note: the kids’ tent is not a babysitting service; this is not a place to drop off your kiddos, but a place to enjoy activities with them. Questions?  Look for our great returning volunteers or staff!  


Come connect with good folks and celebrate rural Montana!


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