Huckleberry Festival celebrates 37 years

Another festival in the county was held over the weekend, with strong attendance and many vendors attending this year.

The 37th Annual Huckleberry Festival was featured at Swan Lake Day Park on Montana Highway 83, and Lesly Olsen, chairperson of the event, said that about 1,000 people attended.

“It’s tough to say (how many attended) because we don’t charge admission,” she said, adding that people can access the park from Swan Lake on their boats and look around.

As smoke from wildfires near and far rolled into the Swan Valley just days before the festival, Olsen said that it wasn’t a hindrance. “Last year, the smoke was considerably worse,” she said.

In fact, she said, last year a couple of vendors had to decline due to health reasons.

Tucked under shade and hugging the shoreline, Olsen said that the festival’s location offers those who attend places to escape and stay comfortable as well.

This year, nearly 60 vendors offering food, art, trinkets and services participated.

Olsen said that the Montana Highway Department moved along the highway in the days leading up to the event, which helped visitors park safely on the sides of the roadway. “It makes it a little easier for people to get off the road a little bit better.”

Several items draw the crowds, according to Olsen.

“One thing is the huckleberry pies,” she began. “We do have some people that that’s the main reason they come to the festival.”

In the past, the Swan Valley Volunteer Fire Department sold the pies, but this year they opted out of the festival.

Olsen said that while it was at one time “a huge fundraiser” for the department, the opportunity for up-and-coming bakers to present their baked goods arose, leaving everyone “excited for that transition.”

Swan Mission Search and Rescue stationed their tent once more, serving up huckleberry ice cream.

Local band The Ashley Creek Ramblers began their entertainment at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and played into the afternoon.

Olsen said that people set up their spot in the audience prior and “will literally sit and listen” to the band play through the day.

One other “big draw” Olsen mentioned is the huckleberry pancake breakfast, where a “steady line” forms in the morning and lasts until 11:30 a.m., when breakfast is over.

“It’s a combination of things,” she said.

This year was the fifth year for Olsen and her husband Terry to organize the event, which she described “as many are quick to say is the original Huckleberry Festival.”

Also offered was the annual Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival baking contest.

Each creation had to contain huckleberries.

In the adult division, there was a tie for second place.

In the Children’s division, the winners were:

• 1st Place – Jennifer Whitney – Charlotte’s Huckleberry Bundt Cake

• 2nd Place – Cooper Laslovich – Huckleberry Cream Surprise

• 3rd Place – Jackson O’Connell – Huckleberry Tart

In the Adult division, the winners were:

• 1st Place – Tippy Dringman – Huckleberry Pan “Cake” with Buttercream Huckleberry Filling

• 2nd Place (tie) - Wendi Waite – Huckleberry Cream Cake

• 2nd Place (tie) – Heidi VanDiest – Huckleberry Pie “Fries” with Huckleberry “Fry Sauce”

Festival proceeds will be used to fund maintenance of the Swan Lake Community Center.