This MT Memorial Day Tradition is a Celebration of the Old West

The Hell's A-Roarin Horse Drive is unlike anything you'll ever experience in your lifetime. It is truly one-of-a-kind. The horse drive is a celebration of the old west and happens every year in Gardiner, Montana.

Each year on Memorial Day Weekend, hundreds of horses are driven from Gardiner to the rodeo grounds in Jardine, a small rustic mining town near the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The horse drive was started by Warren Johnson, Hell's A-Roarin Outfitters owner, who led the first horse drive in 1982.

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The event draws hundreds of spectators every year. Folks are eager to witness cowboys and cowgirls driving hundreds of horses through town.

The Hell's A-Roarin Horse Drive returns Saturday, May 27 in Gardiner. All of the proceeds go to fund Action Trackchairs for disabled veterans. These chairs are custom-built and allow folks with disabilities to reclaim their freedom, independence, and mobility in the outdoors.

Spectators can show up early at the Gardiner Fairgrounds to view the horses beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, and the horse drive is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. Once the drive begins, you can watch as cowboys and cowgirls drive a large herd of horses through town en route to the rodeo grounds in Jardine.

You can follow them up to the Jardine Rodeo Grounds, where the real fun begins. Starting at 4:00 p.m. there's an open bar and BBQ followed by a live auction, silent auction, and raffles at 5:00 p.m. From 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., there's live music and dancing with Montana country artist, Jeff Menuey.

Tickets this year are $25 for adults and $20 for kids 16 and under. Children under 5 are free and welcome. There is plenty of space for parking, and all tickets will be sold at the gate. There is room for anyone that would like to attend. For more information, visit the Hell's-A-Roarin website.