For decades, the skies above Whitefish Lake have burst with colorful fireworks on the night of Independence Day.
The fireworks show in Whitefish is a beloved tradition, and one of the only large-scale public fireworks displays in Northwest Montana.
“For many years it was the only public display between Lakeside and the Canadian border,” says Kevin Gartland, executive director of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, which has organized the display for years.
It’s quite the show, too.
This year’s 30-minute performance, slated to begin at 10:30 p.m. from the barge floating in Whitefish Lake, will feature more than $14,000 worth of colorful explosives, produced by Big Sky Fireworks out of Helena.
Last year’s event had an unexpected flare during the finale when a low-bursting firework sparked a fire on the barge floating offshore near City Beach.
No one was injured. Residents are encouraged to catch a shuttle bus to City Beach to watch the show, or walk from nearby neighborhoods as parking near the lake is minimal. Vendors and food carts will be set up nearby.
The cost for the public display is raised throughout the community, with several individual and corporate sponsors supporting the effort. During the recession years, Gartland said the fundraising drive dried up, and the show was at risk of dimming down. Eight individuals who lived around the lake and the adjacent Iron Horse subdivision rallied together and pitched in the funds that were needed to keep the spectacle intact.
“We’re really lucky. If we didn’t have them we would’ve had half the show we have,” Gartland said.
That group of donors contributes roughly 50 percent of the funds needed for the public display each year, illustrating the type of close-knit community that Gartland is proud of.
“I’m looking forward to another great show,” he said.