Conner
Conner, MT · Arts & Culture
Lake County Leader
Cherry Festival attendance ‘well above and beyond expectations’ despite the heat
The Flathead Cherry Festival was a busy weekend in Polson, with crowds still in their cherry attire despite the hot, smoky weather. Key event organizer Carol Lynn Lapotka reported that festival vendors were “insanely happy” and provided positive feedback. Overall, it was a successful weekend, including an impressive 42-foot cherry pit spitting winner. Lapotka also said attendance was “above and beyond expectations,” as Saturday had steady traffic flow and Sunday was well attended. Everything was also “on theme” with the community in their cherry outfits and vendors selling many cherry items. “The fruit was very well celebrated,” Lapotka said. Lapotka contracts to manage the Polson Chamber of Commerce event with her sidekick, Courtney Blazon, under their business, handMADE Montana. This was their third year managing the event. Inside the festival Cherries were delivered from the four orchards that attended, quickly selling out of their cherry pies. Owner of The Last Best Orchard, Janna Wyman, said their family orchard has participated in the festival for the last four years. Wyman said the festival always draws a good crowd, and people are always willing to stand in line for the delicious cherries and hand pies. Polson local Kat Perkins said she and
missoulaunderground.com
Weekend PICKS: Thursday, July 30th thru Sunday, August 2nd
Goodbye, July; Hellooo August! It’s time for the Western Montana Fair, and there’s fairs and rodeos everywhere including Missoula, Ronan, Darby plus live music all over including Luke Bryan & Jason Aldean Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Simple Plan at KettleHouse Amphitheater, farmers markets, and the rivers are prime for floating. The MUG is here with all the.
Char-Koosta News
Polson Community Block Party Returns August 20 with Free Family Fun, Local Businesses, and First Responders
POLSON, Mont. — The Polson Chamber of Commerce and Polson School District invites the entire community to the Polson Community Block Party on Thursday, August 20, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Linderman Education Center. The free event will bring together local businesses, nonprofit organizations, first responders,...
Char-Koosta News
Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana’s First Saturday Set For August 1
CHARLO — Join us for a day of art and entertainment with local authors, photographers, artisans, savory refreshments on Saturady, August 1 from 10:30 am to 4 pm, and live music with Kate Mostad from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Explore unique artisan creations, shop museum merchandise sale and enjoy special discounts.
Flathead Beacon
Ryggs Johnston, Jonny Cielak Win 18th Flathead Beacon Pro-Scratch Invitational
Pro golfer and Libby High grad Ryggs Johnston, playing with amateur partner Jonny Cielak, notched a first place finish Tuesday at the 18th annual Flathead Beacon Pro-Scratch Invitational. The duo finished with a score of 127 across two days of play in the better-ball tournament, with Johnston finding the top...
Flathead Beacon
North Valley Music School to Host First-ever Bluegrass and Roots Mini Festival
North Valley Music School’s new program director, Taylor Ackley, has never known a life without bluegrass and roots music. Born into a family jam-packed with folk musicians, Ackley has a connection to the bluegrass and American roots genre that dates all the way back to his great-great-grandfather, who was a fiddler in Kentucky.
Lake County Leader
This week 79 years ago: Cherry harvest ‘best crop’ in history, Famous band comes to Polson
The Flathead Courier, July 31, 1947 Cherry harvest nearly over By the end of this week the sweet cherry harvest in this county will be drawing, and early next week it will be all to a close over until the season of 1948. There is no doubt that the present season produced the best crop in the history of the cherry industry, and each succeeding year will see it grow and expand way beyond the fondest hopes of those who are now engaged in cherry growing. It was expected that this year's crop would be upward of three-quarters of a million pounds of cherries to go through the new packing plants. On Monday, half a million pounds had gone over the packing tables, and since then, about 40 tons have been going out daily. It now looks like the crop will go somewhat higher in tonnage than anticipated. Cherries from the Flathead have gone to practically every state in the Union, and, from the reports, they are reaching their destination in first-class condition. The weather has not been too bad for the harvest, and very few cherries have been damaged by the rains over the past several days. With a
Whitefish Pilot
It's grass time: North Valley Music School hosts three-day bluegrass festival
North Valley Music School’s new program director Taylor Ackley has planned a treat for the Flathead Valley in the form of the three-day Bluegrass and Roots Mini Festival. Professional bluegrass musicians Ackley and his wife, Allison, have performed around the country and were planning to give a concert in Whitefish this summer when those plans took a turn. One performance soon developed into a midweek celebration of music and community. All festival events are free, and everyone is welcome to come out of the woodshed and do some noodling at a pickin' party with some of the area's best. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, the North Valley Music School will host a full day of workshops, classes, lessons and jams. Eight talented bluegrass musicians from Northwest Montana will be on hand to teach things like how to play fiddle in a bluegrass band and how to take a banjo solo. Instruments will be available for participants. “Bluegrass festivals work really differently than other types of festivals because they're almost like these communities that grow for a little while,” Ackley said. “It's every bit as much about playing music together and learning about the music as it is listening to performances.” On
Hungry Horse News
Heritage Days 2026, in pictures
Columbia Falls Heritage Days 2026 in pictures. Brooklyn Fields shows off an item at the Wildcat Athletic Endowment Auction. The Class of 2006 float. The Class of 2016 float. The Class of '96 float. Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. Members of the Freedom Bank float perform. The Silver Bullet Bar float. The parade celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday. Kathy Price hands out candy to the crowd. Revelers hand out candy to the crowd. Mayor Don Barnhart leads the parade carrying the American Flag. Kaitlin Reddig enjoys a sausage at the Firefighters Breakfast. Nancy McDowell in her 1947 Studebaker at the Heritage Days car show. Lilli Rodgers holds on to her pony for dear life during the JR Bareback competiion at the Heritage Days Blue Moon Rodeo. Seth Anderson Photo. Camden Hay turns with his brute of a steer during Heritage Days Rodeo Night 1. Seth Anderson Photo. Longtime organizer Shirley Reynolds watches as the last of the fire trucks go by in the 2026 Heritage Days parade. The Vote Yes for the high school bond float. Fife and drum players play with the Flathead Community Band during the Lions Club concert on Thursday night.
livelytimes.com
Bigfork Summer Playhouse Shines in Its 67th Season of Magic!
Bigfork Summer Playhouse is celebrating 67 seasons of professional theater with a 2026 lineup filled with rousing music, broad comedy, heartfelt stories and Broadway-sized energy all summer long. Known as “theatre by the bay,” the company again brings performers from across the country to Bigfork for a summer of rotating repertory productions.
Lake County Leader
Polson’s ‘largest draw’: handMADE Montana prepares for Flathead Cherry Festival
The large, shiny, juicy and sweet cherries are about to arrive in downtown Polson, along with the local artists, crafters and more filling the streets. This is Polson’s largest event, otherwise known as the Flathead Cherry Festival, on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Events on Saturday include a pancake breakfast at the Elks Lodge from 7:30-10:30 a.m., sidewalk chalk art from 12-4 p.m. and the cherry pit spitting competition at 2 p.m. On Sunday, there will also be a foodie competition at 1 p.m. with a chance to win the best pie, sweet or savory title. Vendors will be in the middle of the street, and local businesses in downtown Polson will also be open. The culinary experience, in which Polson businesses create cherry menu items, will also continue this year. Carol Lynn Lapotka, the owner of handMADE Montana and key event organizer, said this year's festival is very similar to last year's with just a few adjustments and additions. The span of Third Avenue East will become a dedicated food court, creating a central area for food vendors rather than scattering them. With this adjustment,
Lake County Leader
Polson Seniors: Busy weekend ahead with Cherry Fest
Most of the local cherries are now on the market. Cherry Festival is this weekend, as is the encore of the FLIC film festival. Lots of things to do! Stay hydrated. Seek shade, a fan or air-conditioned spaces. Parking space may be hard to find, so share a ride. Dues for new or renewed members for the 2026-2027 fiscal year are $15 (cheap) and are being accepted starting in August. Dues are not pro-rated. The annual membership meeting will be on the fourth Friday of September, starting at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon. The agenda will include the end-of-year financial report, reports from committee meetings, and election of officers as presented by the nomination committee. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. Can you help us? This is a great opportunity to build your leadership experience. Contact any officer if you wish to be nominated as a member of the board of directors or an officer. We have openings for two board members who would serve three-year terms, as well as all officers, who serve one-year terms of office. Our community center provides space for individuals and groups to meet for physical and mental health, social
KPAX
Flathead Cherry Festival returns to Polson this weekend with vendors, and fresh cherries
skiracing.com
Winter Coaching Opportunities | Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation (FVSEF)
Organization: Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation (FVSEF) Location: Whitefish Mountain Resort, Whitefish, Montana. Employment Type: Seasonal | Part-Time, Full-Time & Weekend Opportunities Available. Compensation: Competitive, based on experience, plus staff benefits. Join the FVSEF Coaching Team. The Flathead Valley Ski Education Foundation (FVSEF) is seeking passionate, knowledgeable, and motivated coaches...
Whitefish Pilot
PHOTOS: Under the Big Sky music festival draws thousands to Whitefish
People flocked to Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish for Under the Big Sky July 17-19. Organized by Outriders Present since 2019, the music festival draws about 20,000 people. This year's headliners were Chris Stapleton, Cody Jinks and Zach Top. Other big names included Stephen Wilson Jr., Charles Wesley Godwin, Of Monsters and Men, Old Crow Medicine Show and Kaitlin Butts. Flathead Valley locals Archertown, Miller Campbell, Hannah King, Michelle Rivers, Radio Ranch and Tomara were on stage throughout the weekend. Madeline Hawthorne, Blue Point and the Kyle Hunter Band represented Montana. Old Crow Medicine Show plays at Under the Big Sky on Friday, July 17, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Under the Big Sky music festival on July 17, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Under the Big Sky music festival in Whitefish on July 19, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Tomara plays at Under the Big Sky music festival on Saturday, July 18. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Tomara plays at Under the Big Sky music festival on Saturday, July 18. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) People dance during Old Crow Medicine Show's performance at Under the Big Sky in Whitefish on Friday, July 17, 2026. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Whitefish-based performer Andrew Brozak at Under the Big
NBCMontana
Polson prepares for annual Flathead Cherry Festival
POLSON, Mont. — This weekend, downtown Polson will transform into a celebration of one of the Flathead Valley’s most iconic crops. The Flathead Cherry Festival brings together more than 150 artists, makers, food vendors, and local orchards for two days of shopping, food, and family-friendly activities. Festival organizer...
NBCMontana
Rescan your TV on July 20 to keep watching KCFW
KALISPELL, Mont. — Attention over-the-air antenna viewers:. KCFW has moved from channel 9 to channel 17. Be sure to re-scan your TV on 7/20/26 if you watch KCFW with an antenna. Cable, satellite, and streaming viewers will not be affected. Thank you for watching!
Whiskey Riff
Zach Top Debuts New Song, “Good Girls & Cowgirls,” Live In Montana
New music from Zach Top is coming SOON. In an era filled with some of the most exciting voices we’ve heard in the genre lately, ranging from the likes of Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson to Turnpike Troubadours and Colter Wall, there’s no one doing it quite the way Zach Top is these days on a national scale. Though there are plenty of other stellar artists keeping the traditional scene alive, such as Jake Worthington, Charley Crockett and more, the […] The post Zach Top Debuts New Song, “Good Girls & Cowgirls,” Live In Montana first appeared on Whiskey Riff .
Flathead Beacon
‘Pretty Mind Blowing’: Kyle Hunter Goes From Under The Big Sky Crowd to Main Stage
While Kyle Hunter and his band, The Mountain Standard, may be making their Under the Big Sky debut this weekend, it’s certainly not Hunter’s first time at Whitefish’s signature country and Americana music festival. For the last five years, the Montana native has been to every edition...