Mission Valley Events Roundup

Art in the Park – 2-5 p.m. July 30 in the area adjacent to Glacier Bank in Ronan; family craft activities, inflatables and a light meal (while food lasts) are on tap. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Ronan Pioneer Days – Aug. 1-3 in downtown Ronan and at the Lake County Fairgrounds; rodeo action, street dances, a 5k run, games, tournaments and Sunday's Big Parade are all part of the annual celebration. 

"Always ... Patsy Cline" – 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 3, with 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. The musical traces the career of the great country singer through letters she exchanged with a fan. Missoula guest artist Chae Clearwood appears as the late artist, 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.

Jess Owen: “Of Graphic Novels and Gryphons – Basics of Writing and Drawing” – 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 at the Polson Library; best known for her fantasy series starring gryphon characters, “The Summer King Chronicles,” Owen is currently working on a new series set in that world: “The Dragon Star Saga.” To register for the free program, call 406-883-8225.

Community Cherry-Pitting Day – 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 2 at Mission West Community Development Partners, 407 Main St. SW in Ronan; cherries must be clean, with no stems. Call 406-676-5916.

Women’s Self Defense – 9:30-11 a.m. Aug. 2 at Mission Ridge in St. Ignatius; Amberly Walker offers this free class on how women can defend themselves when their attacker has a weapon. Participants must be 13 or older; call 406-309-1988.

First Saturday Artisans Event – 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana, south of Ronan on Hwy. 93; Dee Dee Barbour, Kira Fercho and Henrietta Wolf Black display their work; Carol Benson and Carolyn Shoening offer demonstrations; live music and a food vendor are on tap. visit ninepipesmuseum.org.

FLBS Open House – 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Flathead Lake Biological Station on Hwy. 35;  is 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.

Dave Stipe Annex Open House – 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 9 at 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.

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.

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].

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.

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 this summer 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.

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. The cooperative is located in the Red Poppy Building, 1 Eisenhower St. SW in Ronan. 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 City Commission – 7 p.m. Aug. 4, City Hall

St. Ignatius Town Council – 6 p.m. Aug. 5, Town Hall

Email event submissions to [email protected].