Montana Seed Show returns to Harlem next week

The 73rd Annual Montana Seed Show returns to Harlem High School Mar. 9 to Mar. 11 with a bevy of events, contests and vendors from across the state.

The show has been running since 1949 and has brought together artisans from communities across the Hi-Line and Montana to show off their skills in agriculture, woodworking, baking, painting, quilting and more in a series of contests and exhibitions over three days.

The show was originally just a gathering of local potato farmers wishing to compare their crops in a time when potatoes were a key product in the area, but over the years it evolved into a series of shows.

While the show ran in 2020 as usual, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in America shortly after necessitated that they cancel in 2021, after their normal venue, Harlem High School closed its building for pandemic safety.

Seed Show Chair Paul Rasmussen said he originally wanted to hold a smaller show at another location in town so they could still have something, but the building was sold and the show's committee eventually decided to take a break that year.

Rasmussen said they held the show again in 2022, and while entries into the various shows were about normal, they definitely saw a decrease in vendors, and this year looks like it will probably be the same.

He said they have room for 60 vendors and they are at about 40 this year, but based on the number of early hay samples they've received it looks like entries to shows will probably remain solid.

He said the Art Show's youth division in particular looks like it's going to be packed, and at 6 p.m. Friday they are going to have a Quick Art Competition, where contestants will be tasked with creating their entry on site.

There will also be a series of art classes Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. and noon to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

"The art show is looking like it's going to be very good," Rasmussen said.

He also talked about Alluvion Health, which will be holding a Health Fair Friday and Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m., offering immunizations, blood pressure screenings, BMI measurements and blood work.

Screenings cost $175, which Rasmussen said is a pretty good deal for all of the services they are offering in one place.

He said this is the first time they're working with Alluvion, but he's confident they will be a great partner for the show in the future.

"Time will tell, but I've got a good feeling about it," he said.

As for the returning events, there are of course the agriculture exhibits and the shows for pies, breads and quilts, which have been mainstays of the show for years, but there will also be the Future Farmers of America Pancake Dinner at 5 p.m. and the final awards presentation along with a live auction will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be the entry day for Ag Exhibits, including grains, legumes, grasses and potatoes. Entry for woodworking will last from 9 a.m. that day to 2 p.m. and entry for Educational and Commercial Booths will be from 1 to 5 p.m.

Breakfast will be served Friday and Saturday from 6:30 to 9 a.m. with lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Exhibit Building will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Entry for pies and breads will take place 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday with preliminary judging at 10 a.m.

The Quilt Show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day as well as from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, with the Pie and Bread Auction and a Merchandise Drawing running from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will see the return of the Classic Car Show as well.

In this year's book guide to the events, Rasmussen said he wanted to thank the event's committee and all of the volunteers that make the show possible, as well as the businesses and advertisers that support the show and Harlem Public Schools for letting them use their facilities.

"Without the group we have we couldn't continue," he said in the book. "All the revenue the Seed Show takes in gets paid out in the form of prize money, scholarships and expenses such as banquet entertainment and catering."

As for his hopes for public attendance, Rasmussen said it depends a lot on the weather, so it's hard to make predictions, but he's hoping for a good turnout this year.

"It's just too early to tell," he said.

He said the show draws people from across the state and, while it has certainly shrunk in scope in recent years, it remains one of the last big annual community events in Harlem and he wants to keep it going so he hopes everyone enjoys themselves.

Rasmussen also said they are always looking for new members and for people to get involved with the show and he encouraged people who are interested to reach out to the committee.