Celebrating the Blackfoot:
The Story of Montana's Iconic River
Maclean Festival Fundraiser
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Confluence Center, Missoula, MT
Image: John Mercer
Join us to celebrate the release of a groundbreaking chronicle of land conservation in Montana, Saving the Big Sky, with authors Bruce Bugbee and John Wright.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Confluence Center, 119 W. Main St., Missoula, MT
Cash bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres
Tickets: $50 per person | RSVP by September 10
Purchased tickets will be available at the door under your name.
This fundraising event is the first to lead up to the 2026 Norman Maclean Literary Festival, set for October 3, 2026 at The Wilma theater in Missoula. Next year's festival theme is The Story of Montana's Iconic River, to honor the 50th anniversary of the publication of A River Runs Through It.
“Norman Maclean’s love of the Blackfoot rises like a rainbow on every page of Saving the Big Sky. Generations have shared that sense of place and taken bold steps to protect this cherished valley. In our new book, we explore how 88% of the Blackfoot watershed became conserved. Maps reveal the pattern, photos illustrate the beauty, and stories personalize how local people created a kind of miracle.
The Maclean Literary Festival is the natural setting to share this fine news.”
At this September event, Bruce and Jack will provide a fascinating and visual preview of this important book. Through numerous color photographs and detailed maps, we'll learn how six million acres of biodiverse land were conserved in Montana over the past fifty years and the Blackfoot story in particular.
This event is a giving opportunity to help make this sixth Norman Maclean Festival another huge success. Can't come, but want to help make the 2026 Festival happen? Donate!