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Can’t-Miss Events in Summer 2016
As summer weekends already start lling up, be sure to make room on your calendar for these
events and festivals
BY MOLLY PRIDDY
a tains hiked, sunsets watched from lakeshores, Tnd camp res crackle into the night.
While humans wouldn’t dare compete with that beauty, those in the Flathead Valley have found some of the best ways to complement nature’s tableau with great events to keep the summer clicking right along.
So after you’re done planning your outdoor adventures, keep some space on your calendar – there’s plenty to do.
PICNIC IN THE PARK
KALISPELL | STARTS JUNE 28
For 25 years, locals and visitors alike have gathered for the Picnic in the Park Concert Series put on by the Kalispell Parks Department. Head to Depot Park each Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for live music, food and beverage o erings from local vendors, and a sense of community. Bring blanket, chair, and picnic if you please!
LAKESIDE COMMUNITY FAIR
LAKESIDE | JULY 9
The Lakeside Community Club helps fund many essen- tial nonpro ts along the West Shore of Flathead Lake, and this classic family-friendly summer event is one of the big- gest fundraisers of the year. Join in the fun with a parade, watermelon-eating contests, duck races, the Attic Trea- sures sale, silent option, bake sale, and more. For more information, visit www.lakesidecommunityclub.com.
MONTANA 200
MONTANA RACEWAY PARK | JULY 14-16
The 26th annual Montana 200 is a favorite for race fans who like to listen to the revving and roaring of engines and the adrenaline rush of the race. Racers from all over the country convene for a shot at a purse worth over $50,000. The action begins Friday with qualifying, trophy dash, and heat races, and the Mon- tana 200 race takes place Saturday. For more informa- tion, visit www.mtracewaypark.com.
ARTS IN THE PARK
KALISPELL DEPOT PARK | JULY 15-17
The Hockaday Museum of Art has put on the Arts in the Park festival for nearly half a century, and in that time have gured out a winning recipe of arts, crafts, music, food, and beverages, all enjoyed under the shade of the park’s big trees. More than 100 juried arts and crafts booths pop up to form a tiny, creative village. It’s also the biggest fundraiser of the year for the museum, with daily admittance running $3, a weekend for $5, and kids under 6 getting in free. For more information, visit www.hockadaymuseum.org.
THE EVENT AT REBECCA FARM
1385 FARM TO MARKET RD., KALISPELL | JULY 21-24
As one of the preeminent equestrian triathlons in the global circuit, The Event at Rebecca Farm is a show- case in both horse and human excellence. Competi- tors tackle dressage, cross-country, and show jump- ing, and the audiences gets to watch for free. Parking donations are accepted, however, for the Halt Cancer at X program, which contributes thousands of dollars for breast cancer research. For more information, visit www.rebeccafarm.org.
HERITAGE DAYS
COLUMBIA FALLS | JULY 27-31
Celebrate the history of Columbia Falls with a week- end full of family activities, such as a car show, farmers market, swimming, auction, rodeo, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, 5K and 10K runs, a parade, a golf tourna- ment, an arm wrestling tournament, bubble soccer, a wild horse drive, a barn dance, and much more. This year’s theme is “Coming Alive in 2016.” For more infor- mation, visit www.cfallsheritagedays.com.
BIGFORK FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
BIGFORK | AUG. 6-7
This year marks 38 years of gathering on the down- town streets in the village by the bay to celebrate art and summer, and this year’s Festival of the Arts prom- ises another weekend of fun. Art, crafts, food, music, and more line the streets for perusal. For more infor- mation, visit www.bigforkfestivalofthearts.com.
here’s no better time to explore nature’s bounty than during summer in Northwest Montana. Rivers are shed and oated, moun-
HUCKLEBERRY DAYS ARTS FESTIVAL
WHITEFISH | AUG. 12-14
As one of the fruit jewels of the Flathead – the other being the cherry – huckleberries are held in high esteem. This arts festival celebrates the delicious berry in all its forms, including a dessert bake-o contest. More than 100 artists and food vendors will be there selling and showing their wares. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.white shchamber.org.
NORTHWEST MONTANA FAIR
FAIRGROUNDS, KALISPELL | AUG. 17-21
It’s the most Montanan of summer events, spend- ing the weekend at the fair with the family, appreciat- ing the hard work from local artisans and 4H and FFA participants while also taking in an incredible rodeo or perhaps watching this year’s main concert event with country music superstar Trace Adkins. There’s always something happening during fair week – don’t miss out! For more information, visit www.nwmtfair.com.
CROWN OF THE CONTINENT GUITAR WORKSHOP AND FESTIVAL
BIGFORK | AUG. 28 – SEPT. 4
In what is becoming one of the most popular guitar music gatherings in the region, the Crown of the Conti- nent Guitar Workshop and Festival pulls together some of the world’s top guitar talent for a week and has them teach workshops during the day, while performing on stage in the evenings. It’s truly an eye-opening experience, espe- cially when students and teachers perform together. Tick- ets go fast, so visit www.crownguitarfest.org.
MONTANA DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
LAKESIDE | SEPT. 10-11
It’s only roamed Flathead Lake for ve summers this year, but the Montana Dragon Boat Festival has become a phenomenon. Thousands head to the lake- shore to watch teams of 20 race in boats 46 feet long, all to the beat of each boat’s drummer. Plenty of festiv- ities abound, making it a great family event with plenty of access to the shops in Lakeside. For more informa- tion, visit www.montanadragonboat.com.
mpriddy@ atheadbeacon.com
JUNE 1, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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