The Columbia Falls Community Market kicks off its 2026 season 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the grounds adjacent to St. Richard Catholic Church.

This is the 11th year of the market, director Melissa Ellis said. The grounds will host almost 80 vendors and over the course of the season will see 90 local businesses total.

The market features a host of different food trucks, nonprofits and live music. A big sandbox keeps the young kids busy and a big tent keeps the adults cool as they can sit and enjoy a meal while listening to music.

The market leases the site from the Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country and is still working toward a purchase of the site.

“The Boys and Girls Club are amazing landlords,” Ellis noted.

Market night is every Thursday through the summer until Sept. 24. Beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages are available each market night.

The Community Market also has a recycling program as well and people are urged to drop off their cans and other recyclables at Ryan Ellis’ trailer.

This year the market will also be able to host other community events, Ellis noted. For $3,000 a party gets the tent, generators, bathrooms and the grounds, with cleanup included. The fees benefit the market, the church and Boys and Girls Club.

On Sundays, Columbia Falls will also host the Bad Rock Farmer’s Market at Forage and Floral’s bandstand area starting on June 7 through Oct. 11.

The smaller market focuses on “local local” vendors and farms, dishing up things like fresh produce, eggs, honey and handcrafted items from craftspeople.

It features between 18 and 24 vendors and is meant to be a quick “in and out venue,” noted organizer and farmer Shayna Kyle, who has a farm of her own with her husband in Columbia Heights called Moonlight Farm.

The farm is part of a co-op of about 15 growers local growers in the North Valley called the Falls Farm Co-op.

Vendor fees are inexpensive — they only charge $5 for farmers. 

“It’s all about local,” Kyle said. “We really push no plastic.”

The Bad Rock Market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday.