A traditional Whitefish summer favorite returns this weekend with the 33rd Annual Huckleberry Days Arts Festival.

The festivities begin on Friday and run through Sunday in Depot Park, Aug. 12-14. The festival opens on Friday at 10 a.m. and is open until 6 p.m. The festival hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

As a way to get the festival started, Glacier Bank of Whitefish will be giving away free huckleberry ice cream on Friday morning starting at 10 a.m. at the downtown branch. Those wanting the tasty treat should arrive early — it’s available only while supplies last and it will likely disappear quickly.

Huck Days gathers more than 100 talented art, craft and food vendors for a packed weekend of fun in Whitefish. The booths set up across the park will feature an array of original paintings, sculptures, handmade jewelery, fine art photography, pottery, unique clothing and much more.

There will be plenty of eats and treats around the park as well with food trucks such as 406 BBQ, My Thai, Carl’s Corn Dogs,Piroshki Palace, Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, Glacier Shave Ice and many others from across the Flathead Valley.

In addition to the various booths, festival goers will enjoy impromptu performances by The Living Statue on Friday and Saturday afternoons. On Saturday and Sunday the Levitation Nation aerial dancers will perform and there is a special opportunity for the youngsters to participate in the Stumptown Art Studio’s Huck Days Art Project on Saturday from noon until 4 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Whitefish Credit Union and hosted by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call the Whitefish Chamber at 862-3501 or visit whitefishchamber.org.

ALSO THIS weekend, is the chance to participate in or view two traditional athletic events. On Saturday morning at Whitefish City Beach the annual Swim the Fish event will begin at 9 a.m.. registration starts at 8 a.m. It features one-mile, half-mile and 5K races sponsored by the WAVE Aquatic and Fitness Center. For more information or to register, visit www.whitefishwave.com.

Sunday, the Whitefish Lake Triathlon returns after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The race will begin from City Beach at 9 a.m., check-in from 8-8:45 a.m., and beginner to expert levels are welcome to participate. The Whitefish Lake Triathlon features a half-mile swim, 20K bike ride and a 5K run all around and in Whitefish Lake. It’s main sponsor is Hammer Nutrition. For more information or to register, visit www.whitefishlaketriathlon.com.