Mission Valley Calendar

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

Standing Arrow Powwow – July 18-21, Powwow Grounds in Elmo; dancing, drumming, community dinners and stickgames are all part of the Kootenai Nation's traditional celebration. 

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.

Thunder Road Farm Raspberry Jam Party – 6-9:30 p.m. July 20 at Thunder Road Farm in Arlee; enjoy an evening of berry picking, a farm-fresh dinner prepared by Chef Abe Risho of Plonk Wine, and live music by the Timber Rattlers, all while soaking up the beauty of a Jocko Valley summer evening. Learn more at www.thunderroad.farm.

Lake County Fair – July 20-27 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Ronan; beginning this weekend with a horse show July 20, the fair gets in full swing Wednesday with swine and cat shows and market beef judging. The Fashion Review begins at 4:30 Thursday, July 25, followed by the annual Market Livestock Dinner and Sale at 5:30 p.m. Friday brings the rabbit and pultry show, Small Fry Stock Show and a teen dance. The fair culminates Saturday with Boots on Fire, a new event that includes line- and swing-dance lessons at 4 p.m. followed by a dance to live music at 7 p.m. and a Ranch Rodeo in the arena at 5 p.m. For more information, stop by the MSU/Lake County Extension office in Ronan or call 406-676-8600.

Flathead Lakers’ Poker Paddle ­– 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.

“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.

Ronan Chamber Crabfest – 5 p.m. July 26 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Ronan; dine on snow crab and all the fixins, enjoy live music and check out the Lake County Fair exhibits. Call 406-676-8300.

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.

Ronan Pioneer Days – Aug. 2-4 at the Lake County Fairgrounds and downtown Ronan; the annual community celebration includes a Kids’ Fishing Derby and Bulls and Broncs on Friday; the Mission Mountain Classic Run, 3-on-3 JAMboree, softball tourney, car show and City Slicker and open rodeos on Saturday; and the Big Parade, open rodeo and Wild Buffalo Ride on Sunday, with street dances Friday and Saturday. Head to www.facebook.com/RonanPioneerDays/ for the full schedule.

"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 in Polson; performers include Kelley and Ben, July 18; Black Cherry, July 19; Hellcat Maggie, July 25; and Redhawk, July 26.

Email event submissions to editor@leaderadvertiser.com.