Case Study

Silver Country ATV Festival

Festival, Motorized Vehicles

The Silver Country region contains more than 1,000 miles of mostly motorized trails in Montana, Idaho, and Washington. In order to market the area to tourists and adventure travelers with recreational interests, Silver Country, Inc., a tourism development corporation, founded the Silver Country ATV Festival. The festival, held in Wallace, Idaho, and marketed as "the Sturgis of ATV Festivals," features an "Old West" ATV rodeo with an obstacle course through a huge mud bog, trail rides, and drag races. Other events include an ATV parade, a chili and BBQ cook-off, archery, musket shooting and black powder exhibitions, live music, and a crafts fair. Building on the notoriety of the festival, year-round lodging and recreation packages like guided ATV tours are now offered in the area. In 2000, the festival was altered to encompass five smaller festivals held between May and August.