Happy Friday, Beacon readers! Lauren Frick here, and as gray clouds start to descend on the Flathead Valley to tee up a wet weekend, is it bad to say I’m a little excited? The first few weeks of my inaugural Montana summer have been jam packed with hiking, hosting out-of-town friends, lounging at the lake, and just about everything in-between. I think the light on my personal gas tank might be switching on soon, and a Saturday afternoon nap on my couch with a cool rainy breeze circulating through my apartment may be just what the doctor ordered.
However, I’m still crossing my fingers for at least a break in the gloomy weather, especially as another edition of Whitefish Woody Weekend floats into town this weekend. As Barbra Streisand said in the seminal classic, Funny Girl: “Don’t Rain On My (wooden boat) Parade.”
Sponsored by the Big Sky chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, the event aims to celebrate the craftsmanship of wooden boats and coalesce its owners to share the history and upkeep of each vessel.
The event will kick off tonight, June 26, with a wooden boat parade on Whitefish Lake from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with festivities continuing on Saturday with a boat show from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Spectators will get the chance to vote for their favorite boat, enter to win a boat ride and enjoy food and drinks and live music at the Tiki Bar.
Parking is available at The Lodge and along Wisconsin Avenue, however to minimize congestion The Lodge suggests parking in downtown Whitefish and utilizing the free community S.N.O.W. Bus that stops at the lodge. Click here for more information on the weekend’s events.
If being dockside at Whitefish Lake isn’t your prerogative this weekend, may I suggest being transported to a rocking chair under the peaceful tree canopy of the Great Smoky Mountains via the music stylings of none other than Dolly Parton.
The Whitefish Theatre Company, in collaboration with Merie Productions, will present The Music of Dolly Parton: A Tribute Concert for three special performances on June 26, 27 and 29 at 8 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center as a part of the Whitefish Summer Concert Series. The high-energy celebration honors one of the most iconic voices in American music and brings her legendary catalog to life in a vibrant live concert experience.
Dolly Parton’s influence stretches far beyond country music — she is a cultural force whose songwriting has shaped pop, country, gospel, and Americana for decades. This tribute doesn’t just revisit the hits; it celebrates the woman behind them.
From chart-topping anthems like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You” to deep cuts that showcase her unmatched storytelling and heart, audiences can expect soaring vocals, rich harmonies, and a band that captures the sparkle, grit, and soul of Parton’s enduring legacy.
The Whitefish Summer Concert Series is a collaboration with Merie Production Company and Whitefish Theatre Co. The WSCS is dedicated to bringing the classic music of the past to town, through tribute bands comprised of professional musicians from our own hometown and across the country.
Tickets are $40 with reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org or by calling the box office at (406)862-5371.
Well, I’m off to finish my “9 to 5” for the week — Here’s the rest of today’s Daily Roundup.
GOP Membership Bylaw Changes Signal Escalation of Intraparty Conflict
As the state’s party chair defends the shift — which requires members to pay dues, sign an affirmation of support and spells out a procedure for suspending or terminating party members — some current and former legislators raised concerns with the new bylaws’ legality, and with the amount of power it puts in the hands of the State Central Committee and chair.
Sierra Hull is a seven-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, six-time Grammy nominee, and one of the most dynamic voices in bluegrass and Americana. Her latest album, A Tip Toe High Wire, marks a bold new chapter – her first independent release – spotlighting her songwriting and instrumental prowess. Featuring guest appearances by Béla Fleck, Tim O’Brien, and Aoife O’Donovan, the album balances tradition with innovation. The project has been met with widespread acclaim and was nominated for four GRAMMY Awards, including Best Bluegrass Album, underscoring Hull’s continued evolution as one of acoustic music’s most visionary artists.
Keeping you connected to Northwest Montana.
Whether you’ve been here for decades, or you’re new to the Flathead Valley, our reporting is here to help you feel smarter and in the loop about the issues most important to Northwest Montana. With your support, we can build a more engaged, informed community.
