Mission Valley Calendar

| July 11, 2024 12:00 AM

“Baskerville – A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” – 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through July 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.

Paddle Palooza – July 11-14 at the Polson Fairgrounds and Montana Canoe Club in Big Arm; top paddlers from around the world arrive in Polson for this four-day event, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday with an opening ceremony at the fairgrounds, followed Friday with a Sprint Challenge from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. featuring 500m and 100m races. A 30-mile outrigger voyage launches at 7 a.m. Saturday from the Montana Canoe Club in Big Arm and action returns to the fairgrounds at 5 p.m. Saturday for dinner and reggae music by Roots Uprising. Outrigger canoe demonstrations and a Sprint Clinic are on tap Sunday morning from 9 a.m.-noon, launching from the fairgrounds. Email nan@silberliningmt.org or call 406-239-6448 for info.

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.Call Whitney Liegakos at 406-528-5262 or email wliegakos@stlukehealthcare.org.

Live History Days – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 20-21 at the Miracle of America Museum in Polson; step back in time with rides, military vehicle displays, demonstrations of old-time skills, and more. Call 406-883-6804.

Flathead Lakers’ Poker Paddle – 8 a.m. July 20 at Boettcher Park in Polson; bring kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards or swimming prowess to this annual event. Collect playing cards at various stops along the south end of the lake; visit flatheadlakers.org.

Flathead Lake Festival of Art – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 20-21 at Sacajawea Park in Polson; Sandpiper Art Gallery presents this two-day juried art show, featuring original fine art and crafts. Visit www.sandpiperartgalleryandgifts.com/flathead-lake-festival-of-art.

Republican Boat Parade – 1 p.m. July 20 near Memorial Bridge; visit lakecountyrepublicans.com.

Cowboy Camp Sing-Along – 2-3 p.m. July 20 at the North Lake County Library in Polson; “Tango Cowboy” Rich Hinrichsen leads participants in western sing-along.

Flathead Cherry Festival – 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 27 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 28 on Main Street in Polson; annual festival commemorates the cherry harvest, showcases the talents of artists, offers delectable food and fosters a sense of community. Visit handmademontana.com/pages/flathead-cherry-festival.

"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.

Rock the Dock Series – 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays at KwaTaqNuk Resort; performers include Highway 93, July 11; My True Freedom, July 12; Kelley and Ben, July 18; Black Cherry, July 19; Hellcat Maggie, July 25; and Redhawk, July 26.

Upcoming meetings

Kiwanis – 5:30 p.m. July 18 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.

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.