Heritage Days is C-Falls big event
Heritage Days is the biggest event in Columbia Falls, with thousands of people showing up on Wednesday through Sunday, July 27-31, for 3-on-3 basketball, a wild horse drive, the parade down Nucleus Avenue, a car show at Marantette Park, the Boogie To The Bank run, ultimate fighting at the high school and a concert by electric cellist Jami Sieber.
But the city of Columbia Falls wants people to know there hasn't been a street dance downtown in at least 10 years, and there won't be one this year.
The open container and curfew ordinance will be strictly enforced, city manager Susan Nicosia says. The city wants minors under-18 off the streets by 11 p.m., she said. The portable toilets will be removed from downtown early in the evening, and the city's street crew will show up early on Sunday to clean up public areas.
Some of the highlights include:
• Dana and Tami Wagner, 1984 and 1986 Columbia Falls High School graduates, will bring their ultimate fighting event to the high school's gym on Saturday with doors opening at 6 p.m. and fights starting at 7 p.m. The Wagners put on fights across the state and want to help draw more people to Heritage Days. Fifteen fights in 20-foot six-sided cages are scheduled with fighters from across Montana and Canada. Tickets are $15.
• Internationally recognized composer and electric cellist Jami Sieber will perform in concert at Glacier Discovery Square on Sunday at 6 p.m. as part of the Heritage Days weekend. General admission tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, youths and seniors are $10, available by calling 892-1363, online at www.firstbestplace.org or at any local Montana Coffee Traders outlet.
• Registration continues for this year's 25th annual Boogie To The Bank road race to be held Saturday, July 30. There will 5K and 10K runs and a 5K walk. Register at Glacier Bank on Nucleus Avenue. Cost is $15, which includes a T-shirt on a first-come first-served basis after July 15.
• At least five class reunions will take place during Heritage Days. Members of the Columbia Falls High School Class of 1961, which will celebrate their 50th reunion, are still looking for classmates Linda (Berrian) Danielson, Tom Dakin and Mickey O'Connor and class sponsor Mildred (Shaw) Emerson. Anyone with information on these people is asked to contact Lynda Kay (Moore) Hurter at 425-255-0645 or by e-mailing Lhurter@comcast.net.
• The Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to help out with its Heritage Days 3-on-3 basketball tournament on Friday and Saturday. This is the chamber's major fundraiser and has raised more than $3,000. Volunteers are needed to set up the courts and monitor the games. To help out, contact Bill Brunett, chairman of the Education and Sports Committee, by phone at 892-0681, by e-mail at billb@orthopedicrehabinc.com or at Orthopedic Rehab on the U.S. 2 strip.
• The annual car show at Marantette Park with barbecue and vendors will take place on Wednesday from 5-9 p.m.
• The Rocky Mountain Rhythm Kings will be the lead-off band for the Heritage Days concert at Marantette Park on Thursday beginning at 6 p.m. as part of the Columbia Falls Lions Club's summer concert series. They will be followed by the Flathead Valley Community Band. Donations of $3 per person or $5 per family are suggested. In event of rain, the concert will be held at the St. Richard's Catholic Church, on the U.S. 2 strip.
• The Wildcat Athletic Endowment Association's fundraiser barbecue and auction behind the Columbia Bar and Grill will start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 29.
• The parade will take place on Nucleus Avenue, from Railway to Seventh streets, on Saturday beginning at noon. The theme this year is "Legends Of The West."
• Freedom Bank's wild horse drive on U.S. 2 from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon Nite Club will take place on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
• A barn dance with music by Silvertip will take place at Marantette Park on Saturday from 7-10 p.m.
• The National Rifle Association Rodeo will take place at the Blue Moon Nite Club's arena on Saturday beginning at 7 p.m.
• The Wildcat Athletic Endowment Association's Golf Scramble at the Glacier View Golf Club in West Glacier, with take place on Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. Raffle tickets for a 2010 Polaris Sportsman ATV are $10 apiece or three for $25.