All About Cherries
GEORGE MURPHY of Polson sets his form as he participates in the pit-spitting contest at the Cherry Festival in Polson. Murphy spit the cherry pit 27 feet, 7 inches, finishing in second place. (Photos by Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
TYLER MAXWELL holds his hands up after he finishes his slice of cherry pie during a pie-eating contest at the annual Cherry Festival in Polson on Saturday, July 21. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
CAMPBELL MAXWELL of Helena smiles for photos after she finishes first in the children’s cherry pie- eating contest last week at The Cove in Polson.
ASHLEY HUBERT, far left, smiles as she plays a steel drum during a Bram Brata performance at the Cherry Festival last weekend. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
STUDENTS WITH Bram Brata, a group from eastern Washington, entertain the masses during the Cherry Festival in downtown Polson.
PIT-SPITTING CONTESTANT Tyler Maxwell of Helena won the adult competition, hosted by The Cove, with a distance of 27 feet. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
A Helena family swept the “Cherry Olympics” held at The Cove in Polson during the 19th annual Polson Main Street Flathead Cherry Festival last week after two children and their father claimed their titles.
It all began when Maddox Maxwell won the children’s cherry pit-spitting contest, spitting a whopping 17 feet, 10 inches.
Then, father Tyler spit a cherry pit 32 feet in the adult competition.
Later, daughter Campbell won the children’s cherry pie eating contest, and Tyler took the victory for the adults.
Tyler said there wasn’t any real practicing beforehand, as they weren’t sure they’d be taking part in the games.
They’ve come to Polson on vacation in years prior, but they hadn’t attended the festival until this year.
Once the family received their $20 each in Polson Business Community Bucks, Tyler said he knew what the dollars would go toward. “My kids have already told me it’s on ice cream,” he said.
When asked if the family would come back to the festival next year, Tyler said, “Oh yeah, definitely. I’ve got a title to defend.”
HOSTED BY The Cove Deli & Pizza downtown, family-friendly games were again held during the annual festival.
The “Cherry Olympics” were held for the sixth straight year Saturday afternoon at The Cove, as part of the annual Cherry Festival.
The games were originally held on Main Street, but were moved to The Cove to allow contestants more room to participate.
The games, however, have been held for about 15 years.
This year, there were thousands of people passing through Main Street, looking at more than 120 vendors.
Bram Brata, a high school steel drum group from eastern Washington, provided entertainment Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Third Avenue and Main Street. Twenty-eight high school students played, with parents and supporters in the audience.
Ben Leggett, director of the group, explained between songs that the students play on 55-pound oil drums made by a native Trinidadian who now lives in the United States.
Cost of the drums start at $2,500 and go upward.
Students interested in Bram Brata must audition.