Mission Valley Calendar

Arlee Celebration: In Honor of Our Elders Past and Present – July 1-7 at the Powwow Grounds in Arlee; traditional dancer, drums and vendors are part of the 124th gathering of the Salish people, with Grand Entries at 7 p.m. Thursday, 1 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Learn more at arleemontana.com.

Independence Day Parades – Polson Chamber lights up Flathead Lake with fireworks at dusk July 3 at Riverside Park, and pays homage to Red, White and BBQ with the Independence Day Parade, noon July 4 on Main Street; Charlo celebrates “Faith, Farmin’ and Freedom” with a parade at noon July 4 on Hwy. 212; Salute of Freedom is the theme of the 75th annual Arlee Fourth of July Parade at noon July 4. Register parade entries beforehand at Arlee High School.

Arlee Rodeo – 2 p.m. July 4 at the Arlee Rodo Grounds; the 40th annual event follows the parade. Call 406-726-3762 for information.

Sasquatch Freedom Fest – 5 p.m.-midnight July 4 at the Big Sky Sasquatch Stage in Arlee; music and fireworks are on tap. Head to arleemontana.com for info.

“Baskerville – A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” – 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, July 5-21 at the Theatre on the Lake in Polson; The Port Polson Players open their 49th season of Summer Theatre with Ken Ludwig's murderously funny comedy. The five-member cast manages to portray 40 characters, plus the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal sidekick, Dr. Watson. Call 406-883-9212 or visit PortPolsonPlayers.com for reservations.

Mission Valley Mariners Cornhole Tournament – 5 p.m. July 5 at O’Malley Park in Polson; fundraiser for the American Legion team is open to 100 teams. Register in person (beginning at 3:30 p.m.) or on the Scoreholio app. Call Craig Pablo at 406-396-9576 for info.

First Saturday Artist/Artisan Event – 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 6 at Ninepipes Museum, south of Ronan; meet local and indigenous artists, artisans, musicians and photographers, and enjoy huckleberry pastries and frybread. The July event showcases works by artist and beader Alyss Fowler, Montana Moments photographer Dee Dee Barbour, Salish silversmith Josh Marceau, Home Décor artisan Tracy Tevis, and artist and craftsman Clayton Holler. Ryder Parot performs on traditional Native flute from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and singer/songwriter Katels from 1-4 p.m.

Mission Valley Cruisers Car Show – noon-8 p.m. July 12 in front of the Ronan Co-op Brewery on Fourth Ave. between Main Street and Round Butte Road.

Sweet Pride in July Picnic in the Park – 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. July 13 at Ronan City Park; the annual event, sponsored by Safe Harbor, includes food, fun, games, crafts, a fashion show, and a chance to build community. Call 406-240-0640 or email dana@safeharbormt.org.

Four Montana Authors – 1 p.m. July 13 at the North Lake County Library in Polson; Polson authors Milana Marsenich and Mary Barmeyer O’Brien join Flathead writers Leslie Budewitz and Christine Carbo for a reading.

Good Old Days – July 19-21 in St. Ignatius; the annual event kicks off Friday with a barbecue at 5:30 p.m. in Good Old Days Park, live music at 7 p.m. in the amphitheatre and fireworks at dusk (weather permitting). The annual parade begins at noon Saturday, followed by and food and craft vendors, a truck show, dog races, and other events at the park. Action moves to the airport Sunday for a fly-in and pancake breakfast.

Buffalo Run – 8 a.m. July 20 in St. Ignatius; this family-orientated fun run during Good Old Days is hosted by St. Luke Community Healthcare. The one-mile fun run (walk/run), four-mile run, and seven-mile run all start promptly at 8 a.m. on Main Street in front of Gambles Hardware. Register at runsignup.com/Race/MT/StIgnatius/GoodOldDaysBuffaloRun or call 406-528-5262 or email wliegakos@stlukehealthcare.org for info.

"Talk the Talk: Then and Now – Student Photographs 2001-2024" – on display through Aug. 30 at the Three Woodcocks Gallery at Salish Kootenai College; exhibit celebrates the photography of Two Eagle River and SKC students, created under the tutelage of master photographer David Spear.

Native Heritage – through July 12 at Sandpiper Gallery and Gifts in Polson; non-juried show celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Mission Valley.

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.

Farmers’ Markets – Ronan: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays at the Ronan Visitor’s Center, with music by Pete Moller from 4-6 p.m. (www.facebook.com/RonanFarmersMarket); Polson: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays on 3rd Ave. W. (polsonfarmersmarket.com). Mission Falls Market: 4:30-7 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.

Upcoming meetings

Kiwanis – First Thursday of the month, noon at Kwataqnuk Resort, and third Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m. at Bunkers, Polson Bay Golf Course; Kiwanis is an international organization dedicated to improving the world one child, one community at a time. Meetings are open to the public.

Mission Valley Neurodegenerative Support Group Meeting – 7 p.m. July 10 in the Cottonwood Conference Room at St. Luke Community Health Care in Ronan; gathering is for those living with neurodegenerative diseased such as Parkinson’s, MS or ALS. Contact Monte Jenkins at 406-253-3484 or jenkins@ronan.net.

Climate Café – 9-11 a.m. on the third Friday of every month at the Flathead Lakers office in Polson; partake in a thoughtful conversation about climate change.

Cheerful Heart Cancer Support Group – noon-1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month in the chapel at St. Joseph Medical Center; anyone affected by cancer is invited to participate in this group led by Matthew Connally of the Ronan/Polson Nazarene Church. Learn more at www.cheerfulheart.org or email cheartinc@gmail.com.