Not only is September my favorite month – shout out to all my Virgos – but there are seriously so many amazing things happening this month. Welcome to the Daily Inter Lake's Local Events podcast. Let's get to it.

Sure, we love the frontwomen and flashy musicians, but without songwriters the songs they sing just wouldn't be as impactful. Thankfully we have the Whitefish Songwriter Festival to showcase those songwriters and give us a unique opportunity to hear the songs and the stories straight from the songwriters themselves.

September 18th to 20th The Whitefish Songwriter Festival will fill stages and venues of Whitefish with songwriters from across the country -- not just any songwriters, Hits Writers with chart topping songs and Rising Stars which are sure to be there soon. I cannot think of a better reason to bar hop than to experience the talent that makes this festival come back each year.

Clock out early on Friday, September 18th as the music starts at 2:00 pm with the Songwriter Contest Finals – hold tight, I'll share more about this in a few – and on till 9:00 pm for the Late Night Band jam. Saturday starts with an 11:00 am Coffee and Conversation with songwriter interviews and hosts several Songwriter Rounds -- where 2 or 3 songwriters take turns sharing their original songs and stories -- throughout the day.

So back to Contest Finals -- 2:00 pm on Friday, September 18th at the O'Shaughnessy Center and free to the public. The nonprofit Whitefish Songwriter Festival put a call out to fledgling songwriters to enter their "It's All About the Song" and more than 100 songwriters entered from across the country. On Friday the 18th, 10 finalists will perform their original songs -- five under 18 and five 18+ -- one winner from each age bracket will receive a $1000 prize and an invitation to perform at next year's Whitefish Songwriter Festival.

While a few of the events are free, the best way to experience the Whitefish Songwriter Festival is with an All Access Pass that allows you access to everything not VIP. You can also purchase a Saturday pass and find a few more options at WhitefishSongwriterFest.org.

I love that the Whitefish Songwriter Festival shares not only unique listening experiences but also shares access to songwriters and music industry professionals with our community and budding songwriters and musicians. If you can't attend the festival, you can support the Whitefish Songwriter Festival during the Great Fish Challenge! 

Ok, so now you know what you're doing mid-September. Let's fill your calendar for the rest of this fine month.

Start your motors – chainsaws -- and head to the 10th annual Clash of the Carvers in Libby September 10th through 13th. We're talking world-class artists and incredible sculptures that will leave your jaw in the sawdust. And did I mention free admission? The fun gets started Thursday, September 10th at 8:00 am as carvers from all over the world – Germany, Moldova, Lithuania, and of course the US of A and Canada -- begin their masterpieces. 20 international chainsaw carvers spend 4 days carving with a few Quick Carves thrown in. Quick Carves are auctioned off on Friday and Saturday while the final auction takes place on Sunday at 2:00 pm.

Folks, the sculptures that form during this competition are truly unbelievable. Take the whole family and enjoy live music and activities on Libby's Mineral Avenue September 10th through 13th for the beloved Clash of the Carvers event. I truly can't think of anything more uniquely Montana to do this month!

And save the date for Trego Heritage Day on Saturday, October 3rd. From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm wander back in time at the Blarney Ranch in Trego and enjoy games, educational demonstrations, food trucks and a Heritage Day market.

There is so much to experience you'll want to stay for the entire day. Check out a black powder event and a traditional archery shoot. Treat the kiddos to a horse and wagon ride and explore pottery and basket making, gold panning, leatherwork, and horsemanship demos. Mosey through the pumpkin patch and pick a gourd or two to take home.

Celebrate ranching, agriculture and the logging roots of the Tobacco Valley at Trego Heritage Day Saturday, October 3rd.

Keep on your toes friends, we're gonna jump around.

Coming to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Lakeside is a festival like none the Flathead Valley has seen. September 25th through 28th you can set up camp (literally) at the top of Blacktail Mountain and settle in for Treetop Volume 001.

Three days of wonderful local music, aerial performances, yoga and flow art workshops, and food and bev by the Blacktail Lodge. This will be an awesome way to close out the summer and you will for sure want to have bragging rights as being there for the first one.

Foundation Entertainment is hosting the Blacktail Music Lounge and a mimosa lounge on Sunday.

The Main Stage is hosted by the awesome QLTD Audio with a mix on genres on Friday starting at 4:00 pm. Stay up late and enjoy the Full Moon Drum Circle from midnight to 4:00 am. Saturday, enjoy EDM focused music with sprinklings of yoga and flow workshops. Cooldown Sunday with analog acoustic music offerings.

Four-day, single day and camping passes available at FlatheadTickets.com. I love this collaboration between local event makers and the awesome Blacktail Mountain. Takes me back to the good ol' days when we could listen to music on Big Mountain. Get your tickets and commit to Treetop Volume 001 September 25th through 28th.

The Montana Treehouse Retreat is hosting a special concert in their new outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, September 19th at 6:00pm. Nestled in the woods just a stone's throw from the rest of it, the Montana Treehouse Retreat offers a serene venue for internationally acclaimed Laura Gibson and local phenoms Tin Finley. Gibson shares her love of traditional folk music and experimentation and has the unique honor of being NPR's first Tiny Desk Concert. And if you haven't yet experienced the amazingness of Tin Finley this is your perfect opportunity. Limited tickets available for $25 each at FlatheadTickets.com.

On Friday, September 4th head to the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Art Center in Whitefish for Gold, Leather & Lace: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. For one night only Merie Productions shares an unforgettable evening celebrating the timeless music, harmonies and spirit of one of rock's most iconic bands. Can't make the event? You can support nonprofit Merie Productions during the Great Fish Challenge. Let's keep these event makers funded!!

Speaking of yet another institution worthy of your Great Fish donation, the Northwest Montana History Museum in Kalispell hosts Mark T. Johnson as he shares his new research. Wednesday, September 9th at 6:00 settle in for Feeding the Frontier: A History of Chinese Vegetable Gardens in Montana. Chinese gardens had a big impact in towns across Montana and introduced fresh veggies never before seen in Montana. Cool.

View the art and smell the flowers at the Glacier Art Museum on Saturday, September 12th for their second installment of Artful Arrangements. Local flower growers – including the Montana Dahlia Society -- are paired with a work of art in the museum which they use for inspiration for their own botanical piece of art. Vote for your favorite arrangement during this one-day event.

On Saturday, September 12th do not miss your chance to see Chris Roberts "On the Stage" at the Whitefish Performing Art Center. Amazing Place Music hosts Grammy-winning, multi-instrumentalist Chris Roberts as he features his own music including songs from the new musical The Way West. Don't miss out on this intimate listening experience. Tickets available at FlatheadTickets.com

Thursday, September 17th take yourself to the O'Shaugnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish for Songwriters & the Symphony. Experience a one-of-a-kind collaboration as Nashville songwriters Wynn Varble, Brice Long and Jo Smith join the Glacier Symphony for an unforgettable evening of songs, stories and symphonic arrangements.

Meet me at the Wachholz on Saturday, September 19th for The Phil Collins Story. Settle in for a fully produced, immersive musical journey in this monumental tribute to one of music's greatest icons.

Friends, I told you September was the best month! I hope you find your groove this month and get out into our awesome and vibrant community and experience something cool. If you need a little inspiration, visit DailyInterLake.com/events to see all that is happening in this fine community.

We're lucky to reap the rewards of all the hard work these event makers and performers share with us each month. Most do so for the pure love of performing and sharing cultural experiences with you. Please support them by attending and also sharing your support through a donation during the Whitefish Community Foundation's Great Fish Challenge.

Thanks again for tuning in to the Daily Inter Lake's Local Events podcast. I'm your host Melissa Wells, and this is my favorite part of my job. 

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