Friday June 4, 6:30 pm “A Swift Night”
In conjunction with Montana Audubon, please join us for a special event, “A Swift Night”. Participants will learn about Chimney Swifts and how they can help to monitor local populations. Chimney swifts are fascinating birds that can be found in your backyard or, more accurately, a nearby chimney! However, little is known about their distribution in the state. We are looking for eager volunteers that want to learn about chimney swifts and help locate them. There will be a presentation from 6:30-7:15 p.m., followed by an evening challenge to locate and identify local swifts by sight and sound around the town of Glendive. The event will be led by Amy Seaman, of Montana Audubon. All ages are welcome, but youth under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. This program is free and open to the public and will start at Makoshika State Park Kiwanis Pavilion.
Friday June 18, 9:00 pm “Bat Talk and Walk”
Learn about and see bats of the area with FWP Biologist Brandi Skone. Ms. Skone will give a short presentation on bats found in and around Makoshika State Park followed by a short walk to bat boxes and dwellings to observe these nocturnal fliers. This program will be at the Hiatt Amphitheater.
Friday June 25, 7:00 pm “Native Plains Pony Tack”
Come learn the ropes of early pony and mule gear from scratch as done by indigenous Bison Hunters of the Northern Plains. Talk with Billy Maxwell and Don Price as they will address spinning and braiding bison hair ropes, antler framed saddles, bridles, cinches, cruppers, and saddle pads. Using tack will be shown on a living beast or cardboard dummy. This is the talk to come to if you ever wondered how the locals took care of stock long before the tack shops opened. You don’t have to own hoof mounted hay burner to find fun in this program!
This program will take place at the Hiatt Amphitheater.
Friday July 2, 7:00 pm “Dark Skies”
Join Sabre Moore, Executive Director of the Carter County Museum and board member of the Montana Chapter of the International Dark Skies Association for a program about night skies and Montana's newest International Dark Sky Sanctuary - Medicine Rocks State Park! The program will include an overview of the negative effects of light pollution on the environment and what you can do to help mitigate these effects in your own community. This program will be at the Makoshika Visitor Center.
Friday July 9, 7:00 pm “Pollution Solution”
Join our AmeriCorps member, Lexi as she talks about waste mitigation and recycling. See what new projects are in the works for Makoshika State Park. And learn more about the growing in popularity local non-profit group, “GROW” (Glendive Recycles Our Waste). See what things they are doing for the community and how you can get involved. This program will be at the Hiatt Amphitheater.
Friday July 16, 7:00 pm “A Yellowstone River Adventure”
Take in the adventure of Captain Clark from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Makoshika State Park Manager, Chris Dantic, presents a program about Captain Clark’s expedition on the Yellowstone River in the summer of 1806. The Captain and his military party experienced everything from encounters with Grizzly Bears to horses taken by the Crow Tribe. Find out how they survived and who was all involved on this portion of the famous journey.
This program will be at the Hiatt Amphitheater.
Friday July 23, 9:00 pm “Movie Under the Stars”- Night at the Museum (2006)
Rated PG. Dreamer Larry Daley thinks he's destined for something big but his imaginative ideas never pay off and in desperate need of a job, he accepts to be a security guard at the Natural History Museum. During his watch, Larry makes a startling discovery. Thanks to the unleashing of an Egyptian curse, the museum's animals spring to life after the building closes. Larry must find a way to save the chaotic situation. Bring anything you may need for you comfort and be prepared for an awesome night! This event is presented by Firefly Outdoor Movie Company. This program will be at the Hiatt Amphitheater. This program is part of Dawson Days in Glendive, Montana.
Friday July 30, 8:45 pm “UFOs and Extraterrestrials in Montana ”
Join us as we welcome back Joan Bird. Joan will be presenting about UFOs and Extraterrestrials. Montana is home to some of the most significant, well-documented and interesting UFO reports in the history of ufology. This presentation is a short course in UFO literacy, using events to illustrate different aspects of the phenomenon. Montana seems to be a place where there is a lot of historical UFO activity and the audience is invited to share their own or their family’s stories. Funding for the Montana Conversations program is provided by Humanities Montana through grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Montana’s Cultural Trust, and private donations. This program will take place at the Hiatt Amphitheater.
Friday August 6, 7:00 pm “Paleontology in Makoshika”
Come and learn about paleontology efforts of the park and learn about the dinosaurs that once roamed the area. This program will be at the Hiatt Amphitheater.
Friday August 13, 8:30 pm “Meteors and Medusa”
Join Makoshika State Park AmeriCorps member, Sydney, during the Perseid meteor shower for a look into the night sky. Learn how to identify several summer constellations and hear some of the Greek myths behind them. While you are here, keep an eye out for shooting stars, as this is within the timeframe that the Perseid meteor shower will peak! Feel free to bring a comfy blanket to lay down on as you gaze at the stars. This program will take place at the Kiwanis Pavilion.
Friday August 20, 7:00 pm “Owl Extravaganza”
Join Lexi and Sydney, our State Park AmeriCorps members, as they teach you about owls. They will have several stations with interactive activities to help participants learn about owls. This program will be at the Hiatt Amphitheater.
