Thanksgiving Day, the harbinger of the holiday season, will be celebrated at several community events.

The public is invited to attend these dinners and celebrations  on Thursday.

Bigfork

The Pocketstone Cafe in Bigfork will host its fourth annual community Thanksgiving Day dinner.

The meal is free to all. The cafe welcomes those who cannot or would prefer not to celebrate Thanksgiving on their own. The menu includes soup, turkey, dressing, potatoes, yams, green beans and dessert.

Since seating is limited, the cafe requests that people call 837-7223 for reservations.

Three seatings on Thanksgiving Day will be available: 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. If space is available, walk-ins will be accommodated.

All food preparation, serving and cleanup is done by community volunteers; the food is donated by the cafe and its suppliers. A donation jar will be available. All contributions will be given to the Bigfork Food Pantry to kick off its Christmas season.

The Pocketstone Cafe is located at 444 Electric Ave. in Bigfork.

Kalispell

Everyone is invited to Sykes’ Thanksgiving Day dinner in Kalispell. The annual free dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To pre-order dinner for pickup or to be delivered to those who are homebound, call 257-4304 by Tuesday.

Donations are welcome.

Sykes’ Restaurant is located at 202 Second Ave. W. in Kalispell.

Evergreen

“Light Up Evergreen” with the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce.

Gather for cookies and hot chocolate at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at the Evergreen Fire Station on U.S. 2 East.

At 7 p.m., members of the Chamber will flip the switch to light up the tree on top of the Harmon crane.

Those attending are being asked to bring nonperishable food for the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry. Monetary donations also will be accepted.

For more information, call 885-1212.

Ronan

The 10th annual Ronan Community Thanksgiving dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center.

The event usually draws several hundred people who come together to share good food, homemade pie and fellowship.

The dinner is sponsored by the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce. Supplies and all the fixings come from donors throughout the area. The Lake County commissioners provide the facility at no charge.

Festivities include entertainment and a traditional turkey dinner.

Volunteers are needed to help serve, cook and clean up. Turkeys, pies and rolls also are needed. Call Cheri Houle at 249-3184 to donate food, and Brandy Chisholm at 406-676-3300 to volunteer.

Everyone is invited and the dinner is free. Donations will be accepted at the door or may be sent to Ronan Community Volunteers, P.O. Box 751, Pablo, MT 59855.