Ravalli County Museum Celebrates Bitterroot Flower

For the 37th year, the Ravalli County Museum celebrates Montana's State Flower, the Bitterroot at Bitterroot Day Saturday, June 10.

The activities at the Hamilton museum on South 3rd Street start at 9 a.m. and includes Salish traditional dancers and drummers, a Salish history and culture display, a huge raffle, a jerky competition, a recycled craft contest and plenty of hands-on educational activities for the kids.

The weekly Hamilton Farmers Market will have expanded booths and Bitter Root plants will be for sale.

The Bitter Root has been an important part of Native American culture and you'll notice there are two ways to spell it - as one word, Bitterroot, and two words - Bitter Root - which is historically correct, according to the late legendary journalist B.K. Monroe.

No matter the spelling, the little flower is now blooming through the drier, sunny areas of the Bitterroot Valley and you'll see some of them at the museum Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information and registration to the jerky and recycled craft contests, check the Museum's Facebook page.