Huckleberry Days this weekend

The 31st annual Huckleberry Days Arts Festival is set for Aug. 7, 8 and 9 at Depot Park downtown.

Huckleberry Days opens on Friday at 10 a.m. and is open until 6 p.m. The festival hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival includes about 100 arts and crafts booths, along with about a dozen food vendors.

The event is hosted by the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce.

Kevin Gartland, executive director of the chamber, said the festival has been modified in regards to COVID-19. Patrons are asked to maintain social distancing and wear masks while attending the event.

“We’re spacing things out between booths and we’re asking patrons to stay with their group and visit one booth at a time,” he said. “We want to make sure that we have an event that is enjoyable and that is safe for our vendors and community.”

Shannon Fremont-Smith, events coordinator for the chamber, notes that the festival includes new artists this year who haven’t participated before.

“Because of the cancellation of shows in other places we have some interesting and wonderful artists who are coming here for the fist time,” she said. “We also have some local artists who are staying home joining us for the first time. Expect your favorites but also something new.”

The annual Huckleberry Days Dessert Bake-Off Contest is typically a part of the festival, but it won’t take place this year due to COVID-19 concerns and organizers are hoping to bring it back to the event schedule next year.

Live music will also not be part of the event.

Public seating will not be available to discourage gathering.

Contact the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce for further information at 406-862-3501 or visit www.whitefishchamber.org or follow Huckleberry Days Arts Festival on Facebook.