The large, shiny, juicy and sweet cherries are about to arrive in downtown Polson, along with the local artists, crafters and more filling the streets. This is Polson’s largest event, otherwise known as the Flathead Cherry Festival, on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Events on Saturday include a pancake breakfast at the Elks Lodge from 7:30-10:30 a.m., sidewalk chalk art from 12-4 p.m. and the cherry pit spitting competition at 2 p.m. On Sunday, there will also be a foodie competition at 1 p.m. with a chance to win the best pie, sweet or savory title.  

Vendors will be in the middle of the street, and local businesses in downtown Polson will also be open. The culinary experience, in which Polson businesses create cherry menu items, will also continue this year.  

Carol Lynn Lapotka, the owner of handMADE Montana and key event organizer, said this year's festival is very similar to last year's with just a few adjustments and additions.  

The span of Third Avenue East will become a dedicated food court, creating a central area for food vendors rather than scattering them. With this adjustment, the shade tent will be moved to Third Avenue West, just outside the Cove Deli & Pizza.  

The event also has about 25% more artist vendors this year, as well as more nonprofits participating.  

The City of Polson created new guidelines and recommendations for special events that require every 700-square-foot tent or canopy area to have a minimum 12-foot firebreak. This creates a firebreak every seven tents, and the festival will be extending further onto Fourth Avenue to accommodate this change.  

Lapotka contracted with the Polson Chamber of Commerce to serve as event organizer for the event with her sidekick, Courtney Blazon. This will be their third year organizing the event, and Lapotka said they intend to extend that contract for another five years.  

Her company, handMADE Montana, operates multiple large-scale MADE fairs across Montana. So, with her background in organizing, fine art degree and marketing skills, she presented the idea and secured the contract.  

Lapotka explained that she’s always been passionate about seeing people succeed and thrive. She wants to help them get there and teach people how to market themselves. Under handMADE Montana’s management, Lapotka said the festival has increased in quality and consistency while focusing on more local artists.  

Beyond the day-of festival tasks, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work for handMADE Montana to pull together.  

Lapotka explained that some of this week's tasks include closing the street, marking all vendors' booth locations and building the event infrastructure. This is “lots of little logistical things,” such as coordinating with security and making sure tents, restrooms and garbage are all taken care of.  

The infrastructure they create costs more than renting out the University of Montana Adams Center for an event, she said.  

Another task is a lot of marketing that isn’t seen locally, she said. They are trying to attract both tourist traffic and the local population. The total estimated attendance at the festival is about 8,000-10,000 people.  

Cherry crop  

Desirae Knapp, owner of Knapping Moose Orchard, one of the four orchards attending the festival, said the cherries are looking good. She will be bringing a variety of cherries, such as dark reds, sweet cherries and Rainier cherries. 

Commonly, rain during the harvest season can cause cherries to rupture. However, Knapp explained that the recent rain did not absorb into the cherries, and it looks like a good harvest this year.  

Along with the crop of cherries, Knapp is bringing cherry pie and apple pie and will have a lavender stand as well. Her mom, the “MVP,” has been at Knapp's house for weeks, baking away.  

“She's the goose to my maverick,” Knapp said.  

Knapp joked that one could smell the pies about half a mile away from her house.  

Lapotka explained that Saturday can be quite busy at the festival, but she always encourages people to walk the entire event.  

“It’s a huge celebration of our community and history,” she said. “A lot of people really look forward to it, and a lot of people plan their vacations around it or will in the future when they learn they’re just missing it.”  

Lapotka said, of course, the beloved cherries keep people coming back, but also the collection of creativity is a “whole experience.”  

To learn more, visit flatheadcherryfestival.com. 

    Durham bartender Liam Barrett shakes up a cocktail in the commercial category of the Cherry Festival's Foodie Contest. He and Pedro Vera of Finley Point Grill tied for first during last year's festival. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)