GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Great Falls has a busy stretch of community events ahead, from a free festival at The History Museum to the Montana State Fair and an upcoming roller derby bout.

One event is set for Saturday, July 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The History Museum. The Cottonwood Festival is free and will feature 15 artisans and demonstrators.

Organizers said the festival will bring history to life with flintknapping, beadwork, blacksmithing, gold panning and more.

The Montana State Fair is scheduled for July 24 through August 1 at Montana ExpoPark. This year’s theme is "Celebrating 250 Year 'Red, White & Fair!'”

Entertainment at the fair includes Third Eye Blind, Kansas, Ian Munsick and comedian John Crist. The lineup also included the Mighty Thomas Carnival and the PRCA Big Sky Pro Rodeo.

Fairgoers can also find roaming acts including The Strolling DJ, Strolling Piano, Boogie Storm, Mirrorcan Men and Funanometry.

A new event during the fair is the first annual Little Shell Tribe Indian Horse Relays at Montana ExpoPark. That was scheduled for July 25 and 26 at 1:00 p.m.

Another event on the calendar is the Electric City Roller Derby in Great Falls. The team is set to host its August 1 bout at its new venue, the Shonkin Event Center.

Great Falls’ team is scheduled to take on the Portneuf Valley Bruisers from Idaho.