Mission Valley Events Roundup

Flathead Lakers Summer Soiree – 5-9 p.m. Aug. 7 at Flathead Lake Forevers in Big Arm; enjoy a lakeside setting, a private concert by Benny Weag, contestant on the 2022 season of The Voice and finalist in 2024 season of Montana’s Got Talent and a curated selection of appetizers and refreshing beverages while supporting clean water and healthy ecosystems in the Flathead watershed. Visit www.flatheadlakers.org.

Summer Reading Wrap Block Party and Ice Cream Social – 4-7 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Polson Library; a prize drawing, games, face-painting and ice cream promise entertainment for kids of all ages.

Big Arm Association Dessert Potluck – 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8 at the historic Big Arm School; guest speaker Polson Police Chief George Simpson, who will discuss his book, “The Odessey of the Flathead Indian Reservation.” Bring a dessert to share. For more information email [email protected].

Salish Kootenai College Golf Scramble – Aug. 8-9 at Silver Fox Golf Course in Pable; proceeds from the 33rd annual 18-hole scramble support the SKC scholarship fund. Register at advancement.skc.edu/golf-scramble.

FLBS Open House – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Flathead Lake Biological Station on Hwy. 35; this free, family-friendly event offers opportunities to meet and engage FLBS scientists and educators. A presentation on the station’s new modular and expandable wastewater treatment plant, music, free boat tours and other family-friendly activities and discounted and free food options are also on tap.

Courthouse Art Festival – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 9 on the lawn of the Lake County Courthouse; the Sandpiper's Art Gallery's 54th annual event showcases local and regional fine art, talented artisans, skilled crafters, and lively music. Visit www.sandpiperartgalleryandgifts.com/festivals.

Polson Brew Fest – noon-4 p.m. Aug. 9 in front of the Elks Club on Main Street; four western Montana breweries offer samples during Rotary’s annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the brewfest and raffle go to local nonprofits Mission Valley Aquatics and Fitness, Polson Pickleball Club, Friends of the Children and Polson Pirates Basketball Club.

Cruisin’ by the Bay – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 9 on Main Street in Polson; trophies are given to the Top Ten and Best of Show in the Mission Valley Cruisers annual show. The event coincides with the Courthouse Art Festival and Rotary Club Brew Fest.

Dave Stipe Annex Open House – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 9 at the corner of 5th Avenue and 1st Street in Polson; check out the new three-story, 15,828-square-foot building, which will provide new offices for elections, land planning, environmental health, Information Technology (IT), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Lake County Superintendent of Schools.

Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival –Aug. 9 at Swan Lake Day Park on Hwy. 83; activities include a huckleberry pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., an Arts and Crafts Fair opening at 9 a.m. with more than 50 booths, food trucks and vendors, a baking contest at 11 a.m., music by Silverado, a silent auction, raffles and kids’ games.

"Always ... Patsy Cline" – encore performances at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 and 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Theatre on the Lake in Boettcher Park, Polson; the Port Polson Players continue their 50th season with this musical masterpiece created and originally directed by Ted Swindley. Missoula guest artist Chae Clearwood appears as Cline, playing opposite Anna Loehrke as devoted fan Louise Seger; a five-member band backs the singer. Reserve tickets at PortPolsonPlayers.com or by calling 406-883-9212.

The American West – continuing through Sept. 5 at Sandpiper Gallery and Gifts in Polson; gallery members celebrate the spirit of the West. Visit www.sandpiperartgalleryandgifts.com.

Market on Main – 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays on Main Street in Ronan; enjoy games, vendors, music and food.

Farmers’ Markets – Ronan: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays at the Ronan Visitor’s Center, with live music (www.facebook.com/RonanFarmersMarket); Polson: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays on Third Ave. West (polsonfarmersmarket.com); Mission Falls Market: 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays at Good Old Days Park in St. Ignatius (www.facebook.com/missionfallsmarket). Support local famers and crafters at these weekly markets.

Yoga by the Lake – 6 p.m. Monday and Thursday through August at Sacajawea Park under the cottonwood trees; these yoga classes will have something for everyone, whether participants are very familiar with yoga or are new to the mat. Classes are $10 drop-in with multiple payment options; email [email protected].

Arts & Crafts in Polson – 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays at Summit Independent Living, 3 Ninth Ave. West, Suite 1 in Polson; join CSKT elder Tammie Miller for an afternoon of crafting, companionship and snacks. Bring a craft project or use available materials to start one. Open to people of all abilities; call 406-215-1604 for more information.

Cheerful Heart Cancer Support Group – noon-1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Church of the Nazarene in Pablo; church pastor Matthew Connolly leads the group, which welcomes those recently diagnosed or undergoing treatment, cancer survivors, and/or family members. Learn more at www.cheerfulheart.org or email [email protected].

Kiwanis – first Thursday of the month, noon at KwaTaqNuk Resort, and third Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m. at Bunkers, Polson Bay Golf Course; Kiwanis is an international organization dedicated to improving the world one child, one community at a time. Meetings are open to the public.

Open Mic and Jam – 7 p.m. Fridays at the Western Montana Musicians Co-op, Ronan; also on tap is a weekly Community Jam at 7 p.m. Saturdays and a drum circle from 7-9 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Learn more at www.mtmusic.org.

Friday Crafting Day – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays at Three Chiefs Culture Center in Pablo; bring a project and enjoy conversation and guidance (as needed). Visit ThreeChiefs.org.

Upcoming Public Meetings

Polson Commission Budget Workshop – 6 p.m. Aug. 11, City Hall

Ronan School District Final Budget Hearing – 7 p.m. Aug. 11, K. William Harvey Multi-Purpose room

Arlee School Board – 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12, High School Library

Ronan City Council – 6 p.m. Aug. 13, City Hall

Back to School

Lake County students return to school on the folllowing dates: 

Charlo: Aug. 20

Dayton: Aug. 25

Ronan: Aug. 26

St. Ignatius: Aug. 27

Arlee: Sept. 2

Polson: Sept. 9