Pinball is experiencing something of a resurgence in the United States in recent years. This includes a growing number of people taking to playing pinball. It also includes an increasing number of people who collect pinball machines.
 

Pinball Tournaments in Montana
 

In an increasing number of communities in the United States, pinball tournaments are being held. Although pinball tournaments have not become as commonplace in Montana as has been the case in other locations in the United States, they are still occurring. With this in mind, there are a few facts you need to understand about pinball tournaments in Montana.

Pinball tournaments in the state typically are sponsored and organized by bars, clubs, and taverns. A majority of these tournaments are organized as a means of raising money for charitable organizations.

Pinball tournaments are also popping up in community recreational programs. These include tournaments for younger people as well as adults. These tournaments sometimes are held at community centers, but also in cooperation with businesses in the community, including arcades, game rooms, and bars.
 

Pinball Leagues in Montana
 

In the past several years, pinball league play has started to pop up here and there across Montana. More often that not, a pinball league can be seen forming in one or another of the larger cities in Montana. With that noted, there have been a few pinball leagues forming in smaller locates in the state.

In Montana, there have been two basic types of pinball leagues. First, there are leagues that feature team play. Second, there are leagues that focus on solo play or individual players competing against one another.

Generally speaking, pinball leagues play at bars and taverns in cities and towns in the state. In some cases, these bars and taverns sponsor pinball league teams, the teams then playing against competing drinking establishments.

One other avenue in which pinball league play is popping up is on university and college campuses in the state. These leagues have formed around fraternities and other recognized campus organizations.

There have even been a few instances of pinball league play on the high school level. In some cases, these leagues were formed with the purpose of students raising money for different charitable causes. 
 

Arcades and Pinball in Montana
 

There remain a few arcades in operation in Montana at which more traditional pinball machines can be found. These arcades are located in larger cities in the state on a year around basis. In addition, there remains an arcade or two that operates on a seasonal basis in the state that include pinball machines in their entertainment mix. 

On a somewhat related note, county fairs remain popular in different parts of the state. At many of these celebrations, arcades are opened for the events. In many instances, these arcades feature a good many "old school" games, including skee ball and pinball. These arcades oftentimes can prove to be highly popular attractions at county fairs.
 

Home Entertainment and Furnishing
 

Pinball machines are springing up in residences in Montana with increasing regularity. People are placing pinball machines in home entertainment centers in their residences. In addition, some people are including antique or vintage pinball machines as part of their overall home decorating themes and concepts. 
 

Pinball Machine Collecting in Montana
 

As is the case in many places across the United States, pinball machine collecting has "become a thing" in Montana. At this point in time, pinball machine collecting is taking a number of different forms. 

Antique stores are proving to be solid ground through which people have been able to magnificent antique pinball machines. What many people do not realize is that pinball machines, and their precursors, have been around since the days of King Louis XIV in France. He had the early ancestors of pinball machines introduced into the Palace of Versailles. Although pinball machines from the era of King Louis XIV are not likely to be found in Montana, some truly interesting vintage machines have been discovered at antique shops.

Estate sales are also an resource through which people are finding antique or vintage pinball machines. This is becoming an ever-increasing resource as the Baby Boomer generation ages and older members of that cohort pass on. 

Finally, when it comes to pinball machine collecting in Montana, long-established bars and taverns are proving to be a great resource for vintage pieces as well. While many bars and taverns have pinball machines in operation, some have them stored away in backrooms and basements. Those venues that have machine stored away are oftentimes eager to part with them a most reasonable prices.

 

Jessica Kane is a writer for The Pinball Company, the best online source for new, used, and refurbished pinball machines, arcade cabinets, and more!
 

As is the case with all other states in the United States, Montana has a state seal or emblem. There are a number and facts and features associated with the Montana state seal of emblem that residents and visitors to the state might find interesting. Montana was admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889.
 

History of the Montana State Seal

The Montana state seal traces its origins back to 1893. The state seal or emblem has not been altered since that time. With that noted, since it was originally created, the Montana state seal has been utilized in a number of different ways.
 

The Specific Components of the Montana State Seal

The Legislature of the state determined how the Montana state seal or emblem is to appear. According to the law, the Montana state seal is to depict mountains, plains, and forests. In addition, the Montana state seal is to include the Great Falls of the Missouri River.

Added to these images, the Montana state seal is to include a plow, pick, and shovel. These items on the state seal or emblem as intended to represent industry in Montana.

The final element of the Montana state seal is the state motto, emblazoned on a ribbon. The Montana state motto is "Oro y Plata," or gold and silver. This was adopted as the motto for the state in honor of Montana's mining history. The circumference of the Montana seal is encircled with the words "the great seal of the state of Montana."

The state motto predates the state seal by about 30 years. The state motto came into being, and has remained unchanged, since 1865. The motto actually was utilized when Montana was still a territory and before its admission to the Union.
 

The Montana State Seal and the Montana State Flag

Beginning in 1905, the Montana state seal was incorporated into the Montana state flag. Once again, the Montana Legislature enacted legislation, which was approved by the Governor, that resulted in the inclusion of the Montana state emblem into the state flag.

The state flag itself has a simple design. The flag features the Montana seal in the middle of a field of blue.

There has only been one alteration to the Montana state flag since it was first unfurled in 1905. In 1981, the "Montana" was added, in all capital letters, at the top of the flag. 
 

Uses for the Great Seal of the State of Montana

In addition to being incorporated into the state flag, the Montana state seal has seen other uses as well. For example, historically, the state seal was placed on official documents. This has become somewhat less common today, and will continue to be so as we move further into the digital age. 

The Montana state seal can be seen throughout government buildings. This includes the state capitol building. 

The Montana state seal can be found on souvenir items. These include such things as coffee cups and glasses, items of apparel, and other items. 
 

Other Symbols of the State of Montana

As is the case with many states across the United States, through the years, Montana has adopted a variety of other state symbols, in addition to the state seal and state flag. For example, the Montana state animal is the grizzly bear and the state bird is the western meadowlark. 

Montana has three different types of "state songs." The official state song of Montana is aptly entitled "Montana." The state lullaby is "Montana Lullaby." Finally, the state ballad is "Montana Melody."

The Montana state tree is the ponderosa pine. The state grass is bluebunch wheatgrass. In the animal actor, the Montana state fish is the black spotted cutthroat trout. 

The state Montana actually has two celebrated gemstones. The Montana gemstones are sapphire and agate. 

The Montana state flower dates back to the early years of the state. It is the bitterroot. 

The most recent addition to the pantheon of Montana state symbols is the state butterfly. The Montana state butterfly is the mourning cloak.

Interestingly, Montana has even gone so far as to designate a state fossil. The Montana state fossil is the duck billed dinosaur. 

The various symbols of Montana, including the Montana state seal, can only be changed through legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Similarly, the only way in which additional symbols can be added to the list is through a resolution passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Citizens are free to make recommendations to their state elected officials.
 
 
Jessica Kane is a writer for 777Sign, a leading provider of wholesale advertising flags, banners, tablecloths, and more.