Missoula Storm Proved the Clouse-Bauer Arena ‘Could Outlive Us All’

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - After the Western Montana Fair wrapped up its final day last week, I spoke to Fair Events and Operations Manager Billie Brown who praised the durability of the new Clouse-Bauer Arena that withstood the July 24 windstorm.

“When looking back at some of the before and after photos, when we were visiting with our fair partners just a couple days before we opened and those winds came through, we're really grateful that we had this new structure in place, because had we had the older one, I'm not sure that the roof would have fared so well, or a lighting system on top of that roof, but this new system could outlive us all.”

Fair Manager Billie Brown Celebrated Record Numbers in 2024

Brown touted the record-breaking attendance with 110,600 visitors, and celebrated the increase in concession sales.

“In concessions sales, the gross number was up about $78,000 (to $918,594) and our carnival gross was up about $120,000 so I'm pretty happy with those numbers,” she said. “And then the ticket sales for the evening shows were up quite a bit too with the new grandstands opening, so about another $150,000.”

There was Also Improvement in Waste Management at the Fair

One metric that Brown was particularly proud of was the continued improvement in waste management and sustainability by reducing the waste sent to landfills.

“Last year, we were at 74 percent and this year, with the volunteers that show up and the collaboration between home resource and the Missoula County Extension office, that number jumped from 74 percent to 82 percent,” she said. “It's just unbelievable that we really have a path to zero waste very soon.”

Brown said all involved helped to improve the environment through recycling, which she hopes to replicate in other communities.

READ MORE: Western Montana Fair Carnival Rides 2024

Brown Took Pride in Praising the Green Team

“We don't allow plastics on the fairgrounds, including everything that the vendors use,” she said. “From the years of setting this goal and having conversations with the vendors, they now bring compostable products. Now that we've repeated the process, and we feel like it just keeps getting better that maybe we can invite some other cities to come in and see that process and incorporate it in their towns as well.”

Brown was particularly proud of the fair’s ‘Green Team’ for their efforts.