Residents prepare for annual Lakeside Community Fair
West Shore News
Residents are gearing up for the biggest weekend of the summer on the West Shore.
The annual Lakeside Community Fair will take place Saturday, July 17. The fair supports the efforts of the Lakeside Community Club, a local nonprofit organization that has supported the community for more than 100 years.
It supports other local charities and organizations including the Somers and Rollins Fire Departments, the West Shore Food Bank, the Lakeside QRU, the West Shore Library and many others.
The event usually brings in about $30,000.
"You should come to experience a small town fair that has grown for 21 years," said Joyce Greve, president of the club and chair of the fair. "You don't see that very often any more. It's a small town fair atmosphere on beautiful Flathead Lake. That's the real pulling point."
The event started 21 years ago as a way to draw visitors as well as increase the club's charity work.
"They decided to have something to bring people to our beautiful area, to Lakeside," Greve said.
Admission is free for the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. event. The fair takes place at Lakeside Elementary School on Adams Street.
It features a variety of arts and crafts booths as well as Attic Treasures, a bake sale, peanut brittle sales and a food court.
"We have some very interesting vendors that we haven't had before that will make it more festive," Greve said.
Donations to Attic Treasures and the silent auction are still being accepted through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lakeside Elementary School gym.
A silent auction will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by a split-the-pot drawing at 3 p.m.
Silent auction items include antique furniture pieces, high-end jewelry, a wine cabinet, hand-made quilts and certificates for services and items. There will be a toy silent auction for children as well.
In other events, attendees can test their skills in a watermelon-eating contest. Sign-ups are at 11:30 a.m. The contest is at 1 p.m.
The fair typically has included a parade, but that will not be a part of this year's lineup, Greve said.
"Because of the traffic situation, we felt that we had to discontinue," Greve said.
In replacement, the fair will include live music by as well as clowns and free balloons for the children.
Other organizations also host events associated with the fair. A pancake breakfast will be held from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Lakeside Community Chapel.
A new addition this year will be a closest to the pin contest that will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lakeside Club Golf School.
"We're real excited about that," Greve said about the event at which dollar for dollar will be matched and given to the club.
Tamarack Alehouse & Grill will host duck races at 3 p.m.
Events also include a 5K run/walk. The race will again start and finish at the Flathead Bank of Lakeside. The race usually draws about 200 people.
Check-in time begins at 7:45 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. sharp.
There will be nine age categories for men and women, boys and girls. Returning this year is a stroller category for racers pushing tots in wheeled strollers.
First, second and third place ribbons will be awarded at the conclusion. Participants will want to check the results board for door prizes of local gift certificates.
Pre-registration through July 15 is $10, including a T-shirt. Late registration on race day is $15. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registrants.
Registration forms are available at Flathead Bank, Kalispell Athletic Club, Athletes Foot and The Summit.