The Columbia Falls Community Market began last year as an effort to utilize space inside an old lumber shed. The result by the end of the summer was a burgeoning gathering of locals and visitors alike, an awakening of a town struggling with its identity and ready to come out of hibernation.

“I’m excited to see the town finding a more diverse balance of activities and events,” O’Brien Byrd said. “But I’m even more excited for my kids to be able to experience it and be able to be proud of their community.”

Byrd and his wife, Melanie, own and operate O’Brien’s Liquor and Wine in Columbia Falls. They also own “The Coop,” which used to be a lumber shed for the Western Building Center at that location.

“It was an interesting big space,” Byrd said. “We’re located in ... I would describe it as the heart of the town. So we wanted to use this space to help the community. When we started, we didn’t know it would turn out to be that impactful.”

The Coop is now home to the Columbia Falls Community Market, returning this summer with more vendors, a newly paved parking lot, upgrades to the Coop and a live music lineup that Byrd said people across the valley “won’t want to miss.”

“It’s a unique vibe,” Byrd said. “It’s truly a locals market.”

Byrd said the market’s first summer in 2015 was more successful than anyone imagined, and felt they really tapped into something special.

“We surrounded ourselves with an incredible team,” Byrd said. “So we did learn a lot the first year, but we also got a lot of things right.

“The team really takes it seriously and has approached it so professionally. It was important from go to do it right and in good taste.”

In the off season the Coop has undergone several improvements, including a permanent bar area, new pavement in the parking areas, a speaker for the vendor area and a large bike rack, meant to encourage market-goers to “get out, exercise and enjoy our town.”

Byrd said people can also expect a wide variety of food, craft and artisan vendors, kids vendors and activities, farmers’ stands and food trucks. Each market will also feature a local or regional distillery and brewery.

Perhaps one of the biggest changes this year is the decision not to allow pets on market grounds during the event.

“We didn’t have any negative incidents last year, but we got a lot of feedback from people asking for it to be animal-free,” Byrd said. “So we put the question out there, and an overwhelming majority of people said they preferred that. We let the majority speak and made that change.”

This year’s market will once again feature reusable souvenir cups for purchase, and an emphasis on composting, recycling and being a “zero-waste” event.

“It is important from an Eco-friendly perspective, but it’s also an opportunity to educate our kids,” Byrd said. “It makes them start thinking about taking care of our environment and our community space.”

The first market event of the season is tonight, May 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Coop, located at 830 First Ave. W. Live music will be provided by Moonshine Mountain. Glacier Distillery and Homestead Ales will be on hand. The event is free, open to the public and appropriate for all ages.

Byrd couldn’t contain his excitement for the season to begin.

“This is my town,” Byrd said. “I’m from here. I’m proud of that. This is an event, a venue, that really allows everyone to celebrate that community pride.”

Byrd said he was looking forward to all the markets and would have a hard time choosing an upcoming favorite or highlight.

“Well Heritage Days in Columbia Falls is a big event,” Byrd said. “All the reunions are that weekend and there’s just a ton going on.

“That market night [July 28] is special. The Coop will be open until midnight, and it’s sort of the kick-off for the whole weekend of events and festivities.”

Byrd also said the Coop will begin holding a Tuesday night all-ages open mic night, hosted by Don Caverly and Marco Forcone. The open mic night will be weekly, beginning Tuesday, May 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. These evenings will also feature food and drink vendors and a variety of other activities.

“This will run parallel to the markets,” Byrd said. “It’s all about finding voids and filling them.”

For more information and a full summer lineup for the community market, visit www.cfcommunitymarket.com or call 406-871-6440.

Thursdays are busy nights in Columbia Falls. The Columbia Falls Farmers Market at the Eagle’s Nest, 2400 Ninth St. W., is open all summer from 5 to 8 p.m. (www.columbiafallsfarmersmarket.com). The Blue Moon Nite Club, at the corner of Montana 40 and U.S. 2, holds summer rodeos from Memorial Day through Labor Day at 7 p.m. (www.bluemoonmontana.com). And the Lions Club Community Concert in the Park series runs June 23 through Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Don Lawrence amphitheater in Marantette Park along U.S. 2 East.

“They are serving a certain cross-section of town, and so are we,” Byrd said. “Columbia Falls is just the place to be on Thursdays!”

Entertainment editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.