Judging by the weather the last week or so, summer is almost upon us. And that means it’s time for the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce to kick its annual fireworks fundraising drive into high gear. Whitefish proudly hosts the biggest (heck, the only) public fireworks display north of Flathead Lake each Fourth of July, and thousands gather at City Beach – and elsewhere along the shore of Whitefish Lake – to enjoy a decades-old community tradition and the birth of our nation!
Each year, however, it gets tougher and tougher to raise the money needed to present a top-quality fireworks display. Major corporate sponsors come and go, and it’s left to the “old reliables” – the local banks and credit unions, a couple of the larger lodging properties and a couple dozen smaller businesses – to keep the tradition alive.
For the last few years, we’ve been lucky enough to have a group of private donors chip in as well, second homeowners who are anxious to make some small contribution to their home away from home.
This summer, it will take all that and more if we want to enjoy the “rocket’s red glare” on Independence Day. Like everything else in life, the costs associated with planning, promoting, insuring and producing the annual fireworks display are on the rise, and we’ve already learned that two of our larger private donors won’t be able to contribute this year.
If you – or your company – want to be a part of keeping this all-American tradition alive, call me today at the Whitefish Chamber (862-3501), or email [email protected]. No donation is too big or small, and all will be greatly appreciated by our residents – and visitors – on the Fourth of July!
Save the date … for customer service!
With the summer season nearly upon us, the Whitefish Chamber is teaming up with the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau on June 5 to present an afternoon of top-notch customer service training, as well as a Summer Tourism Showcase, both of which are designed to help front-line staff at our local hotels, restaurants, retailers and other businesses deliver the kind of customer service that keeps ‘em coming back for more!
LJ Communications will lead the annual Montana Superhost training session from 1-4 p.m. that day at the Grouse Mountain Lodge, with the Summer Showcase to follow from 4-6 p.m.
Some 15 to 20 summer activity, attraction and event operators from the Whitefish/Glacier will be on hand to help familiarize your staff with the many “things to do” in our area during the summer, from zip-line rides, whitewater rafting and hiking the Whitefish Trail to Huckleberry Days, the Farmers Market and Festival Amadeus.
Attendance is open to anyone who interacts with visitors on a day-to-day basis, call the Whitefish Chamber at 862-3501 to reserve a spot in the Superhost training session, or for information on the Summer Tourism Showcase.