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Several central Montana communities are again joining forces to host the annual Montana Bale Trail, coming up on Sunday, September 9th.

Also referred to as "What The Hay," the Montana Bale Trail is organized by The Friends of the Hobson Library/Museum and sponsored by local businesses and private individuals.

Started in 1990, "What The Hay" has grown from a friendly competition between two neighboring ranchers into a full-blown, major tourist attraction, and in 2003, it was named Montana's Tourism Event of the Year.

Last year organizers reported more than 7,000 visitors to the attraction, and 61 formal entries.

Although area farmers and ranchers construct the majority of the creations, there have been entrants from all parts of Montana as well as California, Arizona, and as far away as New York.

The imaginative bale sculptures are displayed in fields along the "Bale Trail," a 21 mile loop just south of U.S. Highway 87. The "Bale Trail" runs along state highways 239 and 541 with the eastern end being in Hobson, the western end at Windham, and Utica being the halfway point.

There are two categories in the bale building competition: adult and children under the age of 13. Sculptors have come from all walks of life and have ranged in age from 3 to 83.

Visit the Montana Bale Trail website for more information.