Photos: Polson schools and chamber join forces for community block party
EMILY HEIMARK | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months AGO
Nathan Eggebrecht and his son Emmitt play Bucket Golf during the Polson Chamber Block Party with the Pirates on Thursday, Aug. 20. (Emily Messer/Leader)
High school students play volleyball during the Polson Chamber Block Party with the Pirates on Thursday, Aug. 20. (Emily Messer/Leader)
The Polson Chamber of Commerce joined the Polson School District’s annual Purple and Gold Day, converting the event into a Chamber Block Party with the Pirates. (Emily Messer/Leader)
High School Assistant Principal Jay Sampson makes hot dogs for the block party event at Linderman Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 20. (Emily Messer/Leader)
Golf athletes and volunteer golf coach Erin Turner pose for a photo in front of the high school golf table at the Polson Chamber Block Party with the Pirates on Thursday, Aug. 20. Golf students played Bucket Golf and talked with future Pirates at the event. (Emily Messer/Leader)
Emily Heimark (Messer) joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporting craft through the UM J-School newspaper and internships at the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader, she covers government, business, education, agriculture and community news. Contact Emily Heimark at [email protected] or 406.883.4343 | August 27, 2026 12:00 AM
Businesses, student athletes, families and community members gathered behind Linderman Elementary School for the annual Purple and Gold Day, accompanied by the Polson Chamber of Commerce's annual block party, on Thursday, Aug. 20.
This was the third annual Purple and Gold Day hosted by the Polson School District, which was called the Polson Chamber Block Party with the Pirates this year. New Athletic Director Bill Sullivan said former Athletic Director Sean Dellwo created the event, and Sullivan’s favorite part is the camaraderie it provides students.
The event gives student-athletes a chance to connect with future Pirates, and with the Chamber joining this year, families had the opportunity to interact with first responders, meet businesses and dunk a police officer in the dunk tank.
The Chamber had a total of 30 vendors, including five different first responder agencies.
Sullivan said the event allows students of all ages to come together without their cell phones. Golf athlete Cheyenne Bieber said she likes that the party gives younger kids a chance to learn what the team is all about.
Sullivan said High School Principal Betsy Wade played a large role in coordinating the event, and the athletics programs are the meat and potatoes, bringing games and activities for the younger kids.
High school students play volleyball during the Polson Chamber Block Party with the Pirates on Thursday, Aug. 20. (Emily Messer/Leader)
The Polson Chamber of Commerce joined the Polson School District’s annual Purple and Gold Day, converting the event into a Chamber Block Party with the Pirates. (Emily Messer/Leader)
High School Assistant Principal Jay Sampson makes hot dogs for the block party event at Linderman Elementary School on Thursday, Aug. 20. (Emily Messer/Leader)
Golf athletes and volunteer golf coach Erin Turner pose for a photo in front of the high school golf table at the Polson Chamber Block Party with the Pirates on Thursday, Aug. 20. Golf students played Bucket Golf and talked with future Pirates at the event. (Emily Messer/Leader) ARTICLES BY EMILY HEIMARK
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