Polson Chamber of Commerce kicked off the Fourth of July weekend celebration of the “Big 250” with lights in the sky on July 3, viewed from the hot spot location on the riverside and from a newfound location.  

This year, the chamber secured the Polson Fairgrounds as a viewing location and added a bit of spunk with live music, vendors and food trucks. Chamber board of directors member and fireworks coordinator Richard Barrett said they have wanted to open the fairground during this event for many years, and this was only the inaugural event. They intend to continue the tradition and host a festival every year.  

Barrett decided to create this fireworks music festival. And as the owner of Polson Bay Music, he recruited local musicians from the Polson Bay Open Mic Nights to play at the fairgrounds. While the chamber charged $10 for adult admission and $5 for children to enter the fairgrounds, Barrett said he hoped the admission funds would be enough to pay the musicians.  

Along with the musical festivities, Anderson Broadcasting partnered with the chamber to synchronize music with the fireworks over The Big 100 station. This music was projected into the fairgrounds' grandstands during the show.  

Barrett said opening the fairgrounds for visitors to view the show took a lot of logistics with insurance, the fire department and Majestic Display Fireworks. He explained that normally, majestic sets off 10-inch shells, but due to the close proximity of the grandstands to the fireworks' launch site, the shells had to be reduced to 8-inch shells.  

This was Barrett’s first year as chairman of the fireworks fundraiser, which requires $30,000 worth of donations to put on the show. Barrett said that, along with donations, chamber events such as the Community Awards Banquet give a portion of their proceeds to the fireworks fundraiser, and proceeds from the Fireworks Golf Scramble hosted at the Polson Bay Golf Course also contribute to the fundraiser.  

Barrett added that they also had other great supports, such as Town Pump, Super 1 Foods, KwaTaqNuk Resort & Casino, 400 Horses Casino, Montana Ace and Anderson Broadcasting. He said the Polson Fairgrounds was also a huge help in the process.  

Barrett said on Monday morning that he felt like they had a healthy number in attendance. Based on the total admission funds, he estimates they had about 300 people at the fairgrounds. More importantly, he said the food truck vendors were happy with the number of customers they had.  

Barrett added that the vendors and food trucks were a bit spread out at the fairgrounds, and he hopes to reconfigure the setup for next year's event.  

Towards the end of the show, a wildland brush truck rushed across the bridge and headed towards the fairgrounds. Capt. Grant Clapp with Polson Rural Fire confirmed on Monday morning that a small fire started where the fireworks were being discharged from for the chamber show.  

He said a City of Polson Fire Department brush truck responded, along with a fire vehicle that was already in the area. Clapp said the fire was extinguished quickly and was nothing significant.  

Across the bridge, Riverside Park was in full swing, with a side of ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery, many children playing and swimming, along with many boats spread across the Flathead River and Lake. People filled the Riverside Park hillside with blankets and chairs, and many others watched the show from other locations in town.  

    Richard Barrett plays on stage just a few hours before the fireworks kick off at the Polson Fairgrounds. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Two-year-old Franky Madplume plays with bubbles while waiting for the fireworks to start at Riverside Park in Polson. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Illanna Mathias and Cyra Stevens jump into Flathead Lake backward while waiting for the fireworks show to begin at Riverside Park. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Many gathered along the riverbank and on the hillside at Riverside Park to watch the Polson Chamber of Commerce fireworks show. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Cyra Stevens jumps into Flathead Lake while waiting for the fireworks to start at Riverside Park. (Emily Messer/Leader)