PRESS RELEASE
February 16, 2024
Media Contact:
Christy Stensland, Executive Director, (406) 653-3800, Christy@montanacowboyfame.org
Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame celebrates 2024 inductees, Tales From The Saddle: Come Ride Along gallery opening and Saddle of Honor Awardee
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame honored its newest and 16th class of inductees during the MCHF Annual Induction Ceremony & Western Heritage Gathering in Great Falls, Feb. 9-10 at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls.
Nearly 600 people attended the weekend’s events. On Saturday, Feb. 10, the Hall of Fame welcomed 24 new inductees during the morning recognition ceremony and brunch. MCHF Board Directors KellyAnne Terry of Lewistown and Mike Gurnett of Helena served as emcees. The Great Falls Police Department Honor Guard presented the flags, Jessica Picker, MCHF trustee, sang the national anthem, and Catcher Cuts The Rope performed the Honor Song.
“Family and friends gathered in Great Falls from across the great state of Montana, to Texas, Vermont to Washington,” said Christy Stensland, MCHF executive director. “Attendees enjoyed the history lesson contained in the inductee stories. Many were grateful for the family reunion opportunity.”
Full bios and photographs of the inductees are available on the MCHF’s website http://montanacowboyfame.org/ and a recording of the Induction Ceremony is available on the MCHF’s Facebook page.
MCHF board, district trustees, and members met for the organization’s annual business meeting and trustee gathering. The celebration continued into the evening with a special recognition honoring the newest Saddle of Honor recipient Bud Griffith, Montana’s Gentleman Cowboy who was inducted into the MCHF in 2018. Dinner, dancing, and a lively auction at the Cowboy Ball rounded out the evening. The local Big Sky Country band provided the music and auctioneer was Robert Toavs of Toavs Premiere Auction in Wolf Point.
During the weekend’s events, the MCHF formally opened their “Tales From The Saddle: Come Ride Along” hands-on gallery focused on how the horse shaped the west, at the internationally known Charles M. Russell Museum in historic Great Falls. Featured is a rare opportunity to read Charlie’s letter to Pete Vann, 2014 MCHF inductee, thanking him for saving Charlie’s life during a winter storm in the early 1880s along with a virtual realty game based on that story. A life-size replica of Charlie’s horse, Monte, is also on display. The organizations’ goal is to enable the public to learn about the lives of those who have impacted Montana’s heritage—those whose stories may otherwise go unnoticed.
To nominate an individual, ranch, western organization, or other for 2025 please contact the MCHF Field Office at 406-653-3800 for Inductee Nomination Guidelines and process.