Helena Weekend Packed With Outdoor Expo, Art Show, and 5K Run

The Montana Outdoor Expo ran its second full day at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds Saturday while the Helena Civic Center packed in roughly 90 vendors for the 40th Annual Spring Art & Craft Show and Lewis and Clark Brewing Company launched a 5K fun run at 11 a.m., stacking three separate events on a single Helena morning.

Saturday presented the tightest window for anyone planning to hit more than one venue. The art show opened at 9 a.m. at the Civic Center, the expo fired up at the fairgrounds an hour later, and the 5K start at Lewis and Clark Brewing Company came at 11. Both the show and the expo ran deep into the afternoon, giving families a narrow back-to-back window to move between the two locations before either closed.

The Outdoor Expo, which opened Friday at 3 p.m. for a shortened preview session, brought more than 75 exhibitors covering hunting and fishing gear, apparel, outfitters and outdoor education. A bear-attack simulator was among the special activations on the floor, alongside food and beer vendors. Admission ran $10, with children 12 and under entering free.

The Spring Art & Craft Show's 40th edition drew those roughly 90 vendors to the Civic Center to sell handmade goods, crafts and seasonal items. Admission was $5; children 12 and under entered free. Helena area Friends of Pets was among the local nonprofits staffing concessions across the weekend's events.

The Lewis and Clark Brewing Company 5K completed the trio of Saturday draws. Race registration included a post-race beer from the brewery, and the Montana Brewing Running Series called the Helena event its second race of 2026, with additional stops planned through spring and summer.

The Outdoor Expo closes out today at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds, running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 at the gate; organizers advise checking the event's social media pages for any last-minute updates before making the drive to the fairgrounds.