Annual Heritage Days events take over Columbia Falls

Heritage Days is coming this week to Columbia Falls and with it is a host of community events. 

This year’s theme is “The Best of Times.”

The event will look very similar to previous years, with the big parade at noon Saturday down Nucleus Avenue. Events kick off with a car show Wednesday, free swimming Thursday night at the city pool and the big Wildcat Athletic Endowment Fund barbecue and auction at Marantette Park on Friday night. That event has grown to a great way to visit with friends and old acquaintances while raising money for Wildcat athletics.

Saturday kicks off with the Glacier Bank Boogie to Bank and the annual Firemen’s Breakfast at the fire hall. There will be arts and crafts vendors at Marantette Park on Saturday before and after the parade as well as a cornhole tourney starting at 4:30 p.m. with a cash purse to the top three teams.

On Thursday, there’s a rodeo at the Blue Moon and Saturday and Sunday, O-Mok-Sees at the Rocky Mountain Riders Saddle Club

The lineup of events:

Wednesday, July 23

5 p.m. – 9 p.m.16th annual car show at Marantette Park. The American Legion will be selling hamburgers and hot dogs. 

Thursday, July 24

Free open swimming at Pinewood Park city pool­ — 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Adult and kids to 12 years of age; 8:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Adult and kids 13-plus years old 

5 p.m. - 8 p.m.- Columbia Falls community market at Veteran Drive 

7 p.m.- Lion’s Club concert, Flathead Community Band at Marantette Park 

7 p.m. - Rodeo at the Blue Moon

Friday, July 25

5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment auction and barbecue at  Maranette Park. Refillable beer cups are $15, the barbecue is $5 and there will be a live and silent auction. 

Saturday, July 26

 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. Firemen’s pancake breakfast at Columbia Falls Fire Hall.

 8 a.m. Glacier Bank Boogie-to-the-Bank:  5k and 10k from the North Fork back into town. Call 406-751-4769 or visit: runsignup.com/Race/MT/ColumbiaFalls/BoogieToTheBank

8 a.m. Heritage Days 3 on 3 basketball tournament at the high school. Proceeds benefit girls and boys basketball programs. Registration has ended.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. North Valley Senior Center will be serving chili, corn dogs and floats as a fundraiser in addition, from 11 a.m. to noon the North Valley High Steppers will perform line dances.

10 a.m.- O-Mok-See Western Divisional games with horses at the Rocky Mountain Saddle Club, 2332 9th St. W. Call Kathy for more information at 406-253-9590 

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Heritage Days arts, crafts and food vendors at Marantette Park, call Holly 406-885-9914 

Noon - Main Parade, on Nucleus Avenue; floats stage on Railroad Street at the north end of Nucleus at 11 a.m. 

1 p.m. - Columbia Falls Historical Society taco bar fundraiser at the United Methodist Church

4:30 p.m. Badrock baggers cornhole tournament at Maranette Park, $25 a team; 80% payouts, top three pay out; double elimination. Call Jeff 406-212-3179 or Johnny for more information at 406-314-1958 

Sunday, July 27 

8 a.m. ­— 25th annual Wildcat Athletic Endowment golf scramble at Glacier View Golf Club.

10 a.m.- O-Mok-See Western Divisional games with horses at the Rocky Mountain Saddle Club

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Badrock Farmer’s Market, 320 Nucleus Avenue. 

Any questions on event,s contact Shirley 406-892-0178.