Magpie Renaissance Faire set for September 14, 15

Not only will the second annual Magpie Renaissance Faire at the Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks be a great family-friendly event, but it will also be for a worthwhile cause.

The event hosted by the Magpie Foundation is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, and Sunday, September 15, from 10 a.m. to sunset at the Gallatin River Overlook Picnic Area.

The ticket prices for the Magpie Renaissance Faire are $20 for adults and $10 for children eight to 17. Admission is free for children seven and under, seniors over 65, and veterans with a DOD ID. Tickets can be purchased at the event or online at https://www.magpierenaissancefaire.org/tickets.

The Magpie Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Montana public benefit corporation, will use 100 percent of the event's proceeds to fund projects that help honorably discharged veterans obtain running water, septic, solar, or other basic infrastructure.

This week's event will feature a medieval marketplace showcasing local artisans with handmade goods, colorful live performances, and locally sourced food and drink.

Performers and activities at the 2024 Magpie Renaissance Faire will include the Sunz Of Odin, The Fairy Sisters, SCA Shire of Sliver Keep, Lord Albion the Wayward Minstrel of Eir Dun, Silked Inkling, Twisted Iron Ranch & Petting Zoo, Make Waves Enterprises (Saturday Only), Tilted Windmill Escape Room, 406 Strength, Unstumped, Gunny Sack Racing, Svenger Hunt, The Throne of Destiny, The Dreaded Pillory, The Griffin's Nest, Queen Saga Skald, Blue Mountain Paints, Tyson Vick Arts and Photography, The Black Knight Templar, the Magpie Foundation Photography Contest, Ax and Knife Throwing, and Archery.

Food and drink at the 2024 event include Valhalla Meadery, Hidden Legend Winery, Double T Catering, CC Gourmet, Wagon Wheel Kettle Corn, Watcha Knead, Mac's Food Truck, Grindy's Cheeseballs, Georgette's Gallettes, The Moody Magpie, Homemade Breads & More, American Legion Post 87 (Manhattan), Manhattan Candy Company, and Aloha Ice Snowcones.

Artisans at the event include Copia Cove, Dice Witchery, Gallatin Edge Creative, Dragonfly Pottery, Urban Realms, Mindy's Mystical Crystals, Hi-Fleece Sheep, High Country Wreaths and Designs, Odessa's Olde World, Dragon's Gate Reiki, Adopt a Dragon, Indian Paintbrush Creations, Willows Mysticals, Hunginn's Hoard Jewelry, Laura Corbell, Raven 3D Printing & Design, Minted Raven Creations, Airelles Enterprises and Glow City, Goblin Hoard Creative, Ark of the Dragon, Bradley's Books & Bottles Alchemical Apothecary, Jolly Juniper Farms, Friar's Dice, Folklore Woodcraft, Star Berry Hallow, The Nerdy Wolf, TomCat's Fur & Trade, Silverstorm Creations, Holley Crafts, Wild Wisdom Collective, Lilly's Fuzzy Farm, Moon Gypsy, Creative Chaos, Sabrina's Little Witchy Things, VFW Post 7621 (Three Forks), Element Tattoo, Autumn Evans Taxidermy, and Puck & Fairy Trinket Designs.

Before last year's event, Natasha Bivens said she started the Magpie Foundation with her daughters Dru Bolender and Cage Cluff, who she said grew up with a Navy Chief stepfather and have volunteered in the military community since 2012. Cluff married a Navy sailor, and after he was honorably discharged, they moved to the East Coast.

"After my husband retired from the Navy, he, Dru, and I moved to Montana. This geographic divide between me and my girls did not stop us from finding a way to make a difference in the lives of military families," Bivens said.

After moving to Montana, Bivens said they knew a bridge between agencies and veterans was needed but said to make a real difference required something practical and money.

"We started the foundation to raise the money required for our projects, but we didn't want to just hand money to people. We decided to supplement what Montana veterans have saved up so they can have a boost on a project while providing for themselves," Bivens said last year.

For example, Bivens said when a veteran desperately needs a septic system but has only been able to save up to $1,000 for the $5,000 job, the Magpie Foundation raises funds at their events and uses them to supplement the veteran's savings.

"We also work directly with local contractors to arrange for the permits and other things necessary to get the job done. Our foundation uses funds for basic infrastructure projects such as septic, solar, insulation, firewood, and electrical systems, but that's not all we do. We also have raised funds for high school scholarships to encourage graduating seniors to select a career they want and get the training they need to be successful," Bivens said.

With funds raised from the 2023 Magpie Renaissance Faire, the foundation partnered with S&D Firewood in Manhattan to keep local veterans warm by delivering firewood to veterans who may be running low after the temperatures reached -40 degrees.