SUMMER IN MISSOULA CAN OFFICIALLY BEGIN:

Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight Launch June 4 & 5

The Heart of Missoula comes alive for the summer, thanks to the launch of the 39^th Annual Out to Lunch Summer Series and 24^th Annual Downtown ToNight Summer Series on June 4 and 5, respectively. The Downtown Missoula Partnership (DMP) brings a robust schedule of bands, local food trucks, kids’ activities, and community connection to Caras Park for 13 weeks of admission-free events. Both events expect to draw over 50,000 into Downtown Missoula throughout the summer.

OUT TO LUNCH
As the longest-standing outdoor music and food festival in Montana, Out to Lunch has been a center point for Downtown summertime activities since 1986. Held every Wednesday in June, July and August from 11am-2pm, attendees can enjoy live music, activities for kids, and authentic, local food and beverage offerings from 16 food trucks and vendors, plus a weekly bar sponsored and provided by the Rhinoceros.

Taking the stage for the first week is the Kenny James Miller Band, hailing from Somers, featuring a mix of blues and rock. Missoula bands taking the stage throughout the summer at Out to Lunch include Tom Catmull’s Last Resort, John Floridis, Love is a Dog, Spruce Alley Sally, the Ed Norton Big Band, The Benevolents and a special performance from Big Sky Mudflaps, celebrating its 50^th Anniversary as a band in 2025.

Out to Lunch is supported by season-long sponsors DCI Engineers, First Interstate Bank, and TDS Fiber along with the U104.5. Over 30 other local businesses and organizations also support Out to Lunch through spotlight sponsorships.

DOWNTOWN TONIGHT
Taking place every Thursday in June, July and August, Downtown ToNight will again feature the expanded hours of 5-9pm, with the bands kicking off at 5:30. Created in 2001 to help fill the demand for live music events in Downtown Missoula, attendees can experience free live music, playtime for kids, and 20 food trucks serving up dinner for hungry Missoulians. Thanks to Zip Beverage, adults ages 21 and older can enjoy cold beverages at the weekly bar found on the north side of the pavilion.

Kicking off the series on stage is Missoula-based River City Rhythm (formerly known as Zootown Music). The full lineup for Downtown ToNight includes bands such as Mudslide Charley, Rose’s Pawn Shop, the Josh Farmer Band, Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts, Jackson Holte & the Highway Patrol, and local favorite Joan Zen, who will continue the tradition of closing out the season. One of the stage highlights for Downtown ToNight is the International Choral Festival who will take the stage on July 17. This is the first time the International Choral Festival choirs will perform at Downtown ToNight.

Back for another summer, the Missoula Makers Collective Market at Downtown ToNight will feature 30+ rotating vendors of local artists and makers weekly. Over the course of the summer, more than 70 makers will participate. More information about the market can be found at www.mslamakers.com or by emailing [email protected].

Downtown ToNight is supported by season-long sponsors NorthWestern Energy, Opportunity Bank, and TDS Fiber, as well as the Trail 103.3 and Zip Beverage. Over 30 other local businesses and organizations are also supporting Downtown Tonight through spotlight sponsorships.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Several special events will occur during Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight this season. On June 12 at Downtown ToNight, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Caras Park River Access will celebrate the completion of the project. In attendance will be community leaders and partners who helped bring the redesigned riverfront to life. On Thursday, July 24, the Trail 103.3 will host a special celebration in recognition of its 20^th Anniversary. Giveaways, special guests, and a river float to the park will be some of the highlights.

The last Out to Lunch (August 27) and Downtown ToNight (August 28) will celebrate the Missoula Downtown Association’s (MDA) 50^th Anniversary. As a partner organization of the Downtown Missoula Partnership, the MDA has been integral in promoting, supporting, and enhancing Downtown Missoula since 1975, including the creation of Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight. Special happenings will occur at both events, including free cake, giveaways, and more.

FOOD & BEVERAGE
Each week, local food vendors will serve a variety of food and beverages. This year, the community can choose from Banh Missoula, Big Dipper, Chur Ice Cream, Clark Fork & Spoon Kitchen, High Vibration, Horchata, Isla’s Lemonade, Kamoon, M-80 Chicken, Madeleine’s Mediterranean, Mountain Berry Bowls, Pattie Wagon, Pelz MT, Puma Peruvian, River City Eats, Sa Wad Dee, Servin’ Thyme, Soul Dawgz, Worden’s Market, and Zeera.

Downtown ToNight also features a beverage garden thanks to Zip Beverage. Local service providers The Badlander, The Press Box, and The Rhino will serve cocktails in addition to beer and wine for eight nights, while the DMP will host the bar a total of five nights to help raise additional funds for Downtown projects and programs.

CARAS CASH
Folks interested in purchasing food and beverages for their employees or guests can pre-purchase Caras Cash in $5.00 increments at the Downtown Missoula Partnership Office (218 E. Main), which can be used to purchase food and beverages from any of the vendors and food trucks at the events.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
While parking is widely available throughout Downtown, the increase in traffic to Caras Park during both events is a great opportunity for attendees to plan ahead and utilize various means of transportation and parking options.

It’s easy to bike and walk to and throughout Downtown Missoula, and there are plenty of bike racks throughout the city center. Additionally, Zero-Fare Mountain Line buses all come Downtown, so anyone can ride any of the routes to the Transit Center, which is just four blocks from Caras Park.

For those driving a personal vehicle, the first hour of parking is free in the Central Park Garage (128 W. Main), the Park Place Garage (201 E. Front), and the ROAM Garage (305 E. Front), all of which are a 5-minute or less walk from Caras Park. Parking is free evenings and weekends in public parking spaces in Downtown (which includes leased spaces).

The Passport Parking APP is another easy and convenient way to park, pay, and be on your way. Download the Passport APP on Android or iPhone, load up your credit card, and enjoy the convenience of paying with a cell phone whenever you’re in Downtown during paid parking hours.

For more information on the Out to Lunch Summer Series, contact Hanna Reese, DMP’s Membership & Events Director, via phone (406-543-4238) or email ([email protected]).  For more information on the Downtown ToNight Summer Series, contact Kristen Sackett, DMP’s Marketing & Events Director, via phone (406-543-4238) or email ([email protected]). Information online about both events can be found at missouladowntown.com/.