Mission Valley Calendar

Ronan Pioneer Days – Aug. 4-6 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Ronan (unless noted); “Dirt Don’t Hurt” is the theme for this year’s celebration, which include Bulls and Broncs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and open rodeos at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. A car show is on tap at Glacier Bank from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, the Kiddie/Slicker Rodeo begins at noon at the fairgrounds, and the Big Parade struts down Main Street at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Other activities include the Kids Fishing Derby, Mission Mountain Classic 5K Run, a 3-on-3 JAM-boree, and softball and volleyball tourneys, and street dances at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

UM Bio Station Open House – 1-5 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Flathead Lake Biological Station at Yellow Bay, on the east shore of Flathead Lake; learn about the lake and its watershed, explore the campus, meet teachers, participate in immersive education programs, check out exhibits, and take a trip aboard the 30-foot Jesse B research vessel. FLBS director Jim Elser will discuss “The State of the Lake” at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free, and so are hot dogs for the first 100 attendees.

First Saturday – 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Ninepipes Museum, south of Ronan; featured artists include award-winning photographer June McDonald and Dan Baldwin of Montana Bison and Leather. Stone Wreath Studio and Native jewelry makers Nizhoni

Friese and Tracie McDonald will demonstrate their unique work and The Late Bloomers perform from noon-2 p.m. Visit https://ninepipesmuseum.org/.

“The Nerd” – 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 6, at the Theatre on the Lake in Polson; Rick Steadman (Kai McDonald) takes a ride on the wild side as the Port Polson Players continue their 48th season with Larry Shue’s comedic masterpiece. Call 406-883-9212 or head to https://www.portpolsonplayers.com/.

An Evening of Ukraine – 7 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Polson Flathead Lake Museum on Main St.; Lolita Avetysian, who lives and works in Polson, will discuss the Russian invasion of her homeland during this free presentation and Q&A.

Rotary Brewfest – noon-4 p.m. Aug. 12 on Main Street in Polson, in front of the Elks Club; Rotary Club of Polson’s Signature event returns for its second year. All proceeds support three dPolson youth programs: second and third grade swim lessons, Polson youth soccer, and sixth grade girls basketball. This year’s event showcases brews from Glacier Brewing, Flathead Lake Brewing Co., Ronan Cooperative Brewery, Bias Brewing and Tamarack Brewing Co., with music by Hellcat Maggie. Call 406-250-5827.

Cruisin’ by the Bay & Courthouse Art Festival – Aug. 12 in downtown Polson; classic cars line Main Street from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., while art and craft vendors sell their wares on the courthouse lawn during the Sandpiper Gallery’s 52nd Courthouse Art Festival (https://www.sandpiperartgalleryandgifts.com/); music and concessions are also on tap.

Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival – 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Swan Lake Day Park near mile marker 72 on Montana Highway 83; free event includes a huckleberry pancake breakfast, libations, concessions and an arts and crafts fair.

Farmers’ Markets – Ronan: 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays, through Oct. 12 at the Ronan Visitor’s Center (www.facebook.com/RonanFarmersMarket/); Polson: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays through mid-October on 3rd Ave. W. (polsonfarmersmarket.com); Mission Falls Market: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays at Good Old Days Park in St. Ignatius (https://www.facebook.com/missionfallsmarket/). Support local famers and crafters at these weekly markets.

Open Mic and Jam – 7 p.m. Fridays at the Western Montana Musicians Co-op, Ronan; also on tap is a weekly Community Jam at 7 p.m. Saturdays. The cooperative is located in the Red Poppy Building, 1 Eisenhower St. SW in Ronan. Learn more at www.mtmusic.org.

Email event submissions to editor@leaderadvertiser.com.