Bigfork's annual Festival of the Arts set for first weekend in August

Bigfork has a national reputation as one of the nation’s best towns for the arts. And the 34th Bigfork Festival of the Arts on Aug. 4 and 5 certainly proves that the community knows how to celebrate their artistic side.

More than 140 booths will line Electric and Grand Avenues where the art and craft booths will offer pottery, paintings, furniture, jewelry, woodworking, clothing, metal art and much more. Food vendors will have an array of mouth-watering treats, and live entertainment will be scheduled throughout the weekend.

One of the oldest arts festivals in Montana, this juried event raises funds to support the advertising and marketing of Bigfork. Festival attendance is estimated to be more than 6,000 people.

Festival hours for both Saturday and Sunday are 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Because downtown will be closed to vehicle traffic, parking will be available at various locations throughout Bigfork, with a free shuttle service running continually during the festival.

First-come, first-serve parking will be available at Potoczny Field, the parking lot for the former bowling alley at the intersection of Montana 35 and Holt, and at the Bethany Lutheran Church on Montana 35.

Following the festival, visitors are encouraged to stay in Bigfork for an evening of fine dining or theatre. The Bigfork Summer Playhouse will feature “The Music Man” on Saturday evening with “High School Musical” on Sunday. For more information, contact the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce at 837-5888 or visit www.bigfork festi valofthearts.com