Fair Parade won’t happen this year
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 11 months AGO
Two riders on a 4-H float, one fair and one fowl, take in the crowd during the Northwest Montana Fair Parade on Main Street in Kalispell on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. (Jeremy Weber/Daily Inter Lake)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | July 29, 2022 12:00 AM
A highlight of fair week for many, the Northwest Montana Fair Parade will not occur this year.
The fair and rodeo run Aug. 17-21 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Historically, the parade has been held on Friday through downtown Kalispell with floats, hot rods, horses and walking groups making their way down Main Street.
Sam Nunnally, county fairgrounds manager, said the parade has historically been hosted by outside organizations, not the fair itself.
“We talked with a couple of groups about hosting it, but none were able to do it,” Nunnally said.
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce in 2021 decided to end its production of future parades, including the Northwest Montana Fair Parade. The chamber said it was opting out of parade sponsorship in order to focus on other business priorities and utilize resources strained by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Flathead Marines took on the Fourth of July Parade this year, but are heavily involved at the fairgrounds during fair week. Kruise Kalispell hosted the Fair Parade in 2021, but is stepping away from hosting parades.
Nunnally said fair organizers are stretched thin at the fairgrounds and are unable to provide the resources necessary to manage the parade.
Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or [email protected].
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