A Century of Tradition and Culture
Crow Fair traces its roots back to 1904, when Crow leaders and a U.S. Indian Affairs agent created a festival to both preserve homestead traditions and present the Crow Tribe as culturally distinct and progressive. Since then, this annual gathering—held every third weekend of August near Crow Agency, Montana—has flourished into one of the largest Native American events in the United States, earning the honorific “Teepee Capital of the World.” With over 1,500 teepees forming a sprawling encampment along the Little Bighorn River valley, the festival is as visually arresting as it is culturally profound.
What Makes Crow Fair Unforgettable
A Gathering of Nations: Crow Fair is often described as a “giant family reunion under the Big Sky,” inviting tribes from across North America to join in unity and shared heritage.
Morning Parades: Each day, the festival opens with a parade led by veterans and tribal officials. Participants don elaborate regalia and ride in procession, creating a rich tapestry of color, pride, and tradition.
Powwow Dance Celebration: Late afternoons bring the powwow, set in a vast, open-air dance arbor. Dancers from toddlers to elders take the floor to compete and celebrate, accompanied by the ever-present, grounding rhythm of the drum.
Rodeo & Native American Relay Races: Showcasing fierce horsemanship, Crow Fair’s rodeo events, particularly the Indian relay—which requires riders to race bareback across multiple horses in a single run—deliver intense, high-octane excitement.
Cultural Displays & Ceremony: Beyond entertainment, the festival is imbued with reverence. It’s a time for honoring elders, veterans, and tribal leaders, as well as displaying artistry—beadwork, quillwork, and traditional crafts—at numerous vendor booths.
Community and Identity: Crow Fair transcends celebration; it’s a reaffirmation of community, identity, and cultural continuity. As an indigenous gathering with deep spiritual roots, it reinforces values of kinship, generosity, and respect.
When & Where
Crow Fair usually spans five days during the third week of August—with visitors welcome mid-festival—and is hosted at Crow Agency, on the Crow Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana. The festival draws a staggering 40,000–50,000 participants and spectators each year, making it Montana’s largest Native American event.
Visitor Highlights
Spectacle of Thousands of Tepees: The encampment of teepees—some in the same family spots used for generations—is a living canvas honoring heritage and ancestral presence.
Dance Diversity: From Crow Hop, Fancy Dancers, Grass Dancers, to Jingle Dancers—each style is a visual feast and packed with cultural nuance.
Heartbeat of the Drums: The powwow’s soundscape of singing and drumming echoes through the evening, as dancers move in fluid, rhythmic celebration.
Community Energy: One visitor likened the rodeo and powwow to “going to war without a weapon”—in other words, a profound expression of pride and resilience. (World Nomads)
Planning Your Visit
Accessibility: Crow Agency is located about 60 miles south of Billings, Montana, off Interstate 90
Accommodations: Nearby towns like Hardin and Billings offer lodgings. Visitors often bring or rent camping gear for a more immersive experience.
Costs: Enrolled tribal members typically have free entry, while non-members pay modest admission fees. Additional fees may apply for rodeo events.
Why Crow Fair Matters
Crow Fair is far more than an event—it’s a vibrant, living cultural heritage, where traditions come alive, histories are honored, and community thrives. Every beat of the drum, every dance step, and every canvas teepee tells the story of a people resilient and proud.
As an attendee, you’re offered a rare privilege: to witness and honor centuries of Apsáalooke traditions shaping today’s world. In this grand assembly under the Big Sky, Crow Fair invites you to step into the circle—respectfully, reverently, and wholeheartedly.
Middle aged mom of three. I fill my days pursuing the dream of being my own boss while spending my evenings playing superheroes, helping with homework, making dinner, and tucking in my littles.