The 27th annual Tamarack time is set for Saturday on Electric Avenue, featuring the best dishes the Bigfork population can whip up.

The fall event, originally started by Elna and George Darrow, gives community members a chance to get together and enjoy tasting food after the busy summer season ends

“I love the festival,” Tamarack Time organizer Toot Sward said. “I love what it’s about, because it is local folks, making their favorite dishes to come share. It’s strictly non-professionals.”

Dishes are judged by volunteers and winners receive a ribbons and bragging rights. Judging takes place starting at noon, and dishes are open to public tasting at 1 p.m.

This year there will be 12 categories instead of last year’s 14. The event dropped the ethnic food category and combined non-chocolate and chocolate desserts into a single dessert category.

The price for tasting is now $5 instead of $4. 

Sward said the success of the event hinges on people participating by bringing in dishes to enter.

“Its success is based on food entry participation,” she said. “It definitely doesn’t need to be something that is time consuming.”

She also asked that people entering bars, such as brownies or fudge, bring their dish pre-sliced into 1 inch squares. Pies should not be sliced before hand.

Entries should be dropped off between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., at the appropriate location listed below. Judging starts at noon, and tasting starts at 1.

In addition there will be pumpkin carving at noon outside the Montana Scene, and Beth Watne will have her wild birds of prey in the Thorsen Sculpture Park at noon.

Appetizers — Glacier Sothebys

Breads and Jams — Twin Birch Square

Casseroles —The Jug Tree

Chili — The Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts

Desserts — The Garden bar

Cookies and bars — Eva Gates

Kids’ dishes —­ Kiskas

Pies — Bigfork Station

Pickles ­— Eric Thorsen Gallery

Potatoes — Pocketstone Cafe

Soups — Donna Shanahan Interiors

Stews — Collage Gallery