What I love about summer in Missoula

By PAIGE LIVINGSTON/Missoula Downtown Association

I think I can officially say it: Summer is here! If the sunburn on your nose and the smell of BBQ weren’t enough indication, then the bustle of the Saturday markets and the number of inner tubes in the Clark Fork would certainly let you know. For the next two months, we will pack our schedules with camping trips, concerts, and friends and family coming to visit. These are the days.

I was born in Missoula and am proud to raise my five-year-old son here. Having a family has helped me to rediscover all that Missoula and its surrounding areas have to offer. Being a tourist in your own town is fun! This last weekend we did all things quintessential Missoula. Hike, farmers market, dinner and drinks downtown, MADE Fair, and Splash Montana (with every other sweaty family in town). This week we're hoping to catch a Paddleheads game, hit up Downtown ToNight, and then take the boat out this weekend. Another thing to keep an eye out for is the Missoula Marathon weekend!

Something I look forward to and make time for every summer is the MDA Membership BBQ. This year I'm thrilled to serve on the committee. Happening Tuesday, July 30th, this is an event that the whole family can enjoy. The food looks incredible and we have some fun carnivalesque games that everyone can partake in. Don’t forget to mark it in your calendars!

By the time August rolls around, we'll all be looking forward to slightly cooler weather, kids back in school (routine!), and having our weekends looking a little less hectic. We'll transition from Saturday markets to Griz games and from BBQs to holiday parties. Holidays on Higgins has always been a family favorite and this year will be no different.

These are busy times in our lives and with everything Missoulia has to offer, it's hard to pack it all in! However, at the end of the day, I'm so grateful to be part of a community that thrives on spending its time together.

I hope to see you around Downtown, maybe even tonight at the Montana Museum of Arts & Culture for Downtown on Tap. It’s always a great time and a great way to get to know some MDA members better!