Mission Valley Events Roundup

"The American West" – through Sept. 5 at Sandpiper Art Gallery and Gifts; the gallery's member artists celebrate the spirit of the West, showcasing everything that makes Montana and the western life unique. Visit www.sandpiperartgalleryandgifts.com.

Arlee Celebration – June 30-July 6 at the Arlee Powwow Grounds; annual celebration of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes includes dance contests, stick games and food vendors. See the schedule at arleemontana.com/powwow-schedule-2025.

Fourth of July Festivities – Arlee: parade departs at noon from Arlee High School and is preceded by the annual Fireman's Pancake Feed. Charlo: the parade strikes out at noon and typically makes two loops through town. Polson: the parade travels down Main Street at noon and a giant fireworks display lights up the lakefront at dusk July 3. Ronan: New event includes family festivities in the park at 4 p.m, music by Shodown from 7-10 p.m., fireworks and more music by Late Night Jukebox.

"On Golden Pond" – 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, July 6-20 at the Theatre on the Lake in Polson; the Port Polson Players launch their 50th season of summer theatre with the classic “On Golden Pond,” featuring Neal and Karen Lewing as the aging parents, Norman and Ethel Thayer, and their real-life daughter, Anna Loehrke, as the Thayer’s daughter, Chelsea. The cast also includes community theatre veterans Mike Gillpatrick, Lucas Stanley and Jim Siragusa. for reservations, call 406-883-9212.

First Saturday – 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. July 6 at Ninepipes Museum south of Ronan; several artists showcase their work; author and artisan Donna Erickson reads from her book, Rooted at the Edge, and the Lake Bloomers perform from noon-2 p.m. Visit www.ninepipesmuseum.org.

Art4Polson Unveiling – 6:30 p.m. July 9 at Boetcher Park in Polson; the Sandpiper Gallery unveils its latest community mural, painted on the park's restroom.

Good Old Days – July 11-13 at Good Old Days Park and in downtown St. Ignatius; a parade, fireworks and family fun are hallmarks of the annual celebration. 

Buffalo Run – 8 a.m. July 12 in front of Gamble's in St. Ignatius; the annual run includes one-mile, four-mile and seven-mile courses. Register at stlukehealthcare.org/buffalo-run.

Paddlefest Montana – July 11-13 and 18-20 at the Polson Fairgrounds; back-to-back paddling weekends begin with the Paddle Palooza July 11-13, involving 10-person outrigger canoes; and the Dragon Boat Festival July 18-20. Learn more at www.silverliningmt.org/2025-paddlefest-montana.

Flathead Lakers Poker Paddle – 8:30 a.m. July 19 at Boettcher Park in Polson; paddle for clean water during the ninth annual event. Bring a kayak, SUP, canoe, or swimming abilities and choose from a short, medium, or long course, collecting cards along the way. Register at www.flatheadlakers.org.

Market on Main – 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays on Main Street in Ronan; enjoy games, vendors, music and food. 

Farmers’ Markets – Ronan: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays at the Ronan Visitor’s Center, with live music (www.facebook.com/RonanFarmersMarket); Polson: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays on Third Ave. West (polsonfarmersmarket.com); Mission Falls Market: 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays at Good Old Days Park in St. Ignatius (www.facebook.com/missionfallsmarket). Support local famers and crafters at these weekly markets.

Yoga by the Lake – 6 p.m. Monday and Thursday this summer at Sacajawea Park under the cottonwood trees; these yoga classes will have something for everyone, whether participants are very familiar with yoga or are new to the mat. Classes are $10 drop-in with multiple payment options. 

Arts & Crafts in Polson – 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays at Summit Independent Living, 3 Ninth Ave. West, Suite 1 in Polson; join CSKT elder Tammie Miller for an afternoon of crafting, companionship and snacks. Bring a craft project or use available materials to start one. Open to people of all abilities; call 406-215-1604 for more information.

Cheerful Heart Cancer Support Group – noon-1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the Church of the Nazarene in Pablo; church pastor Matthew Connolly leads the group, which welcomes those recently diagnosed or undergoing treatment, cancer survivors, and/or family members. Learn more at www.cheerfulheart.org or email cheartinc@gmail.com.

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.

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 and a drum circle from 7-9 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. The cooperative is located in the Red Poppy Building, 1 Eisenhower St. SW in Ronan. Learn more at www.mtmusic.org.

Friday Crafting Day – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays at Three Chiefs Culture Center in Pablo; bring a project and enjoy conversation and guidance (as needed). Visit ThreeChiefs.org.

Upcoming Public Meetings

Polson City Commission – 7 p.m. July 7, City Hall 

Arlee School Board – 6:30 p.m. July 8, high school library

Ronan City Council – 6 p.m. July 9, City Hall

Email event submissions to editor@leaderadvertiser.com.