The Flathead Cherry Festival was a busy weekend in Polson, with crowds still in their cherry attire despite the hot, smoky weather.

Key event organizer Carol Lynn Lapotka reported that festival vendors were “insanely happy” and provided positive feedback. Overall, it was a successful weekend, including an impressive 42-foot cherry pit spitting winner. 

Lapotka also said attendance was “above and beyond expectations,” as Saturday had steady traffic flow and Sunday was well attended. Everything was also “on theme” with the community in their cherry outfits and vendors selling many cherry items. 

“The fruit was very well celebrated,” Lapotka said. 

Lapotka contracts to manage the Polson Chamber of Commerce event with her sidekick, Courtney Blazon, under their business, handMADE Montana. This was their third year managing the event. 

Inside the festival 

Cherries were delivered from the four orchards that attended, quickly selling out of their cherry pies. 

Owner of The Last Best Orchard, Janna Wyman, said their family orchard has participated in the festival for the last four years. Wyman said the festival always draws a good crowd, and people are always willing to stand in line for the delicious cherries and hand pies. 

Polson local Kat Perkins said she and her husband, Andrew, have made it a point to attend the festival for the last nine years of their marriage. Some of their favorite first things they grab at the festival are mugs and earrings, she said, while wearing earrings from a previous festival.

Perkins laughed and said she is trying to start a movement of the busy moms enjoying a day at the festival. She said her goal is to attend on Saturday, enjoy the festival with the kids, and then on Sunday she and a group of moms plan to spend the day as a ladies’ day out, really enjoying the festival and browsing all the festival items. 

Perkins added that one of their favorite festival activities is the cherry pit spitting contest, but next year she said she is going to make sure the kids practice before the contest. 

Ultimately, what keeps the Perkins coming back is the small-town vibe, even though the crowds are large for the festival. She loves making new friends and seeing her neighbors as they all enjoy the festival. 

    Finley Neipert draws in chalk on the sidewalk during the Flathead Cherry Festival last week. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 Lily Perkins participates in the cherry pit spitting contest at the Flathead Cherry Festival. (Emily Messer/Leader)  Logan Steele enjoys her snow cone during the Flathead Cherry Festival. (Emily Messer/Leader) 

    Kids try their hardest to see who can spit their cherry pit the farthest during the Flathead Cherry Festival pit spitting contest. (Emily Messer/Leader)

    Event attendees enjoy the chalk art event hosted as a part of the Flathead Cherry Festival on Saturday, July 25. (Emily Messer/Leader) 

   Kara Adolphson and Alanna Masony wander through the Flathead Cherry Festival on Saturday, July 25. (Emily Messer/Leader)