Happy Friday, everyone! If you’re looking for a chance this weekend to get involved in some hands-on activities, learn from local artists and craftspeople, and partake in some fall-themed fun, then Harvest Moon Fest just might be what you need.

The second annual event, which aims to support The Making Place, kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Harvest Moon Homestead off Mooring Road between Kalispell and Columbia Falls.

When I spoke with organizers recently, they told me that the success of the first year of the festival was a pleasant surprise. Consequently, this year’s event will have even more to offer for attendees.

Based on what I know about the festival between my reporting and the event website, there should be a little something for everyone. I’m especially interested in some of the food-oriented aspects of the festival.

The pie raffle, for example, sounds like my kind of raffle. I can’t remember the last time I got truly excited about a raffle, despite some of the spectacular prizes I’ve seen dangled in front of me over the years. This one, though, feels different. I guess there’s just something about the idea of winning something that I can then put directly into my stomach. And of course, who doesn’t love pie?

I’ve been slowly but surely exploring the Flathead pie scene over the last few years, first with a story about the beloved pies at Loula’s Café in Whitefish, and then with a trip to the Whitefish Winter Carnival’s pie social at St. Charles Parish, which one organizer (correctly) told me is a bit of a sleeper event, which regularly flies under the radar.

But back to Harvest Moon Fest. This year’s event will also have a press for making freshly squeezed cider, a beverage that I’ve long felt should be even more popular than it is.

I’m also curious to see what food vendors Region Sauvage are up to. One of the participants in the Whitefish Food & Wine Festival, Region Sauvage puts an emphasis on live fire cooking, which I find to be especially appealing during fall weather. Ari Lavaux, who writes a food column for The Pulp in Missoula, described Region Sauvage’s asado-style roast buffalo feast at the East Glacier Park metal festival Fire in the Mountains as turning the festival into “Montana’s most epic culinary experience.”

The other primary food vendor, Fire and Dough, makes some pretty good pizza. I wolfed down one of their personal-sized Neapolitan pies over the summer during a visit to Arts in the Park in Kalispell.

And of course, there’s also a fire cider making demonstration. That’s a new one for me, but from what I gather it’s a spicy home remedy for colds.

The fire cider demonstration is part of the festival’s craft pass, a new offering for some of the hands-on activities this year. It’s available as an upgraded ticket option. Some of the other craft pass activities include flower crown weaving, sun printing and mullein torch making. For more information, check out harvestmoonfest.org.

I’m Mike Kordenbrock, bringing you the Daily Roundup …

Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. – Old Crow Medicine Show
Grammy Award-winning Americana string band known for their high-energy live shows and timeless blend of bluegrass, folk and rock are stopping in Kalispell during their 2025 Circle the Wagons Tour. This show offers general admission seating on the main floor for those who want to stand and dance. The balcony features reserved seating.

Sunday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. – Rumours of Fleetwood Mac
Personally endorsed by Fleetwood Mac founding member Mick Fleetwood himself, this tribute group has been performing to sold-out crowds all over the world, recreating the music and energy of Fleetwood Mac’s legendary live shows.