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and sharing portion is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. The Bigfoot lookalike contest, which is supposed to take place at 6 p.m., is canceled due to a lack of participants.
“Maybe next year,” Lederle says in the parking lot with a smile, while loading chairs into a Subaru.
The conference-goers mill around the lobby, not bothering to wait for the sched- uled discussion time to share their sto- ries. It is clear that at some point during the day, the mental dam keeping most of these people quiet has been breached, and now the stories are spilling out.
And really, who am I to tell these peo- ple what they did or didn’t see, or what they should believe? If we were to look at everything with the skepticism with which society tends to view groups like this, we would all seem a little off.
For example, is it weirder to attend a conference of like-minded individuals to discuss a deeply-felt-but-hard-to-prove belief, or to wear a terrycloth robe in public, en route to sit mostly naked with strangers in warm water that smells like eggs? Both happened at Hot Springs that day.
It’s all about perspective, and on the drive back to Kalispell, I realized mine had changed, at least about the people I’d met. These were some of the nicest, warmest people I’ve spoken with, who put their vulnerabilities on display in an attempt to connect with others – even other species – ridicule be damned.
These are people who have found something in their lives worth their curiosity and, for most of them, their love. Everyone I spoke with would rather face being considered a joke for the rest
Guests listen to presentations at the Big Sky Bigfoot Conference in Hot Springs. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
of their lives than be proven right with a dead Bigfoot.
“If it takes us killing one, I hope we never prove it exists,” Michael Cook said. Greg and I talked about how even just driving on Highway 93 again made it feel like we were worlds away from Hot Springs and the believers there, who by
the time we left, looked like they were preparing for a night of dancing, beer, and stories. The day had lightened up some- what, but the wind carried with it whis- pers of winter.
The valleys were beautiful under the snow-gray skies and the terrain is rugged and wild, and I was once again reminded
that just like the unknowable creatures of the Earth, people are equally mysterious and varied, and that under the right cir- cumstances, such as a conference where everyone wants to be known and under- stood, you might just catch a glimpse of something magical.
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HALLOWEEN HOTSPOTS
It’s the spookiest holiday of the year, and the Flathead Valley loves to celebrate. If you’re not out trick-or-treating with the kids, here are a few of the many happenings going on this All Hallows’ Eve. For daily calendar updates, visit www.FlatheadEvents.net.
KALISPELL
HALLOWEEN HUSTLE 5K, RAILS TO TRAILS ON MERIDIAN, 12 P.M.
Dress up, bring the kids (no pets), and work off all those treats you’ll eat tonight for this non-competitive family fun run. Entry fee is three pieces of non-perishable food items for the Veterans Food Pantry.
More info: 406-261-0259 or 406-871-0298
CABELA’S HALLOWEEN BASH, 1 P.M.
Bring the kids trick-or-treating at Cabela’s from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Prizes for best woodland animal and aquatic species costumes!
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT PARTY AT LONE PINE STATE PARK, 2 P.M.
Come join the monstrous celebration of the wonderful world of nocturnal animals! Bat and spider crafts, wolf games, bob-cat for apples and nocturnal animal trivia! Ages 4 to 9 recommended. Costumes highly encouraged!
TRUNK OR TREAT, FVCC, 4 P.M.
Free and open to the public, the family-friendly event will feature decorated vehicle trunks filled with treats for
guests to enjoy. The event will take place in the college’s west parking lot off Montana Highway 93. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes.
HARVEST FESTIVAL, FAMILY LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 5:30 P.M.
Join for games, a pumpkin launcher, bounce house, magic show, indoor maze, raffles, and more. Bring a coat to donate for more chances at the raffle. More info: 406- 257-9315
DRACULA, FVCC, 7 P.M.
Watch one of the story of the scariest vampires of them all. A perfect Halloween theater experience. More info: www. fvcc.edu/theatre
WHITEFISH
1ST ANNUAL WHITEFISH THEATRE COMPANY BOO RUN, 10 A.M.
Come dressed in costume run through the streets of Whitefish for a fun-filled, family-friendly 5K. On-site race day registration available from 8:45-9:45 a.m. Prizes will
be awarded for the best costumes and post-race food and fun is guaranteed! More info: 406-862-5371.
ANNUAL DOWNTOWN WHITEFISH HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST, 7 P.M.
Once again, participating downtown Whitefish bars have teamed up to sponsor the annual Halloween Costume Contest and have established a purse of $2000 to be awarded in cash prizes. Costs $10 per individual, $20 for group costumes. More info: www.facebook.com/hallow- eenwhitefish
DOWNTOWN WHITEFISH, ALL NIGHT
Most of the bars and restaurants downtown are running Halloween specials, including live music and cheap cock- tails. Check it out at www.FlatheadEvents.net.
COLUMBIA FALLS
CALAVERAS, IMAGINEIF LIBRARY, 10 A.M.
Customize your own Day of the Dead skull to celebrate the lives of your departed loved ones. Leave it at our shrine or take it with you. View and appreciate the shrines Nov. 2-7. Also available in Kalispell.
HALLOWEEN PARTY, NORTH VALLEY EAGLES 4081, 6 P.M.
Party on at the Eagles, where the costume contest is judged at 10 p.m. and there are prizes for first, second, and third places. Karaoke into November, and your first drink is half-off if you are in costume. More info: 406-892-4081
BIGFORK
TRICK OR TREAT BIGFORK, 4 P.M.
Head out to Electric Avenue for some trick or treating and enjoy all the fun and costumes wandering down the street.
H-ALE-OWEEN PARTY, FLATHEAD LAKE BREWING COMPANY, 5 P.M.
All sorts of treats at the brewery:
5 p.m.: Haunted Hour = $2 off all drinks until 6 p.m. 6 p.m.: Kill the Kegs = $2 pints of Dead Flop Ale and Spooky Walker Ale ‘til the keg blows
8 p.m.: Costume contest
Plus, kids crafts in the barrel room!
More info: 406-837-2004 or www.facebook.com/flathead- lakebrewing
OCTOBER 28, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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