Though it’s only been two months since this year’s Town and Country Festival, plans are already being made for next year’s event that will coincide with Sidney’s centennial celebration. The festival committee met Wednesday to discuss possible ideas.

The three-day event has been set for June 24-26. Some of the preliminary features, which could change over time, include:

On June 24, attendees can expect to attend an evening barbecue at Veterans Memorial Park with a live band playing during the meal and invited past Montana governors as featured guests. Also, organizers hope to play a slideshow or miniature movie of Sidney’s history in the park. June 25 brings the fourth annual Town and Country Festival, which organizers hope will be a big success. The pet parade and regular parade begin in the morning with the governors hopefully in attendance as well as the new Miss Montana. Then comes games and vendors. The Montana National Guard will return to sponsor a rock wall and obstacle course. The committee is also considering bringing in a giant bubble tower that comes with toys for children to make bubbles. That package comes with stilts for a party and an 18-foot tall puppet for the parade.

This year, in honor of Sidney’s history, the public will be invited to participate in a historic homes tour highlighted by a horse and buggy or mule and wagon team to take tours, headed by the MonDak Heritage Center.

Free stage entertainment will include live music performances and perhaps a statement from Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Other details of the day include a petting zoo, offering chamber bucks, printed programs for the public, creating a website to keep everyone informed of the progress being made and possibly Sidney centennial memorabilia available for purchase.

The event closes June 26 with a Sunday free-will donation breakfast and community church service.

“I know this is a rough draft,” Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture president Marci Albin said. “We just need to start working day by day on it.”

A budget is being worked out as organizers begin early advertising. Letters are being sent to families and schools regarding reunions and local businesses to make them aware of the date.

Albin said she’s pleased with how plans are going so far. “We’re really focused on making sure this is a huge community event,” she said. “We’ve got some obstacles to go through, but we’ll overcome those.”

Albin asks that any club or organization get involved to help plan activities. Anyone from the public who would like to be on the committee may call Albin at The Lucky Buckle, 433-LUCK.

reporter@sidneyherald.com