This is a traditional celebration for Stevensville. Join us for live entertainment throughout the Picnic and plenty of food and drink, including a parade, a Milk Run, the Montana State Barbecue Championship and a Microbrew Festival. There are also food vendors, crafters and booths of all descriptions. The Creamery Picnic includes incredible ice cream and a mobile dairy to show how we get milk products.
In 1907, over 50 local dairymen formed a cooperative creamery, with manager John Howe establishing the creamery's "Gold Bar" butter and ice cream as one of the state's outstanding dairy products. When in June, 1911 fire gutted the creamery, Howe told the community that if they could rebuild the business in 30 days, he would host the biggest celebration they had ever seen. They came close to the deadline (39 days), and Howe stuck to his word. There were public speakers and a free lunch, which included "Gold Bar" ice cream and butter, and all of the buttermilk the participants could hold.
Since then, the annual Stevensville Creamery Picnic remains a part of the community, and is always held the first weekend in August.