Heritage Days lineup of events is now set

Next week Columbia Falls celebrates Heritage Days, with class reunions, car shows, concerts, and parties all week long and a big parade on Saturday. This year’s theme is “Then and Now.”

Here’s a lineup of events:

July 25

5-9 p.m. — Ninth annual car show at Marantette Park with the American Legion Freedom Post 72 barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. A nominal fee/donation will be requested to cover costs of the food. At 7 p.m. a plaque with local veterans names will be presented at the Veterans Memorial Wall.

July 26

11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. — The classes of the 1950s will have an alumni gathering at the Teakettle Room at the North Valley Physical Therapy Center on Nucleus Avenue.

From 5-midnight —Community Market at the Coop, featuring music by John Dunnigan and New Wave Time Trippers.

Free Open Swimming at Pinewood Park Pool.

6:30 p.m.- 7:45 p.m. Adults and kids to 10 years old

8:45 p.m. -10 p.m. Adults and kids 11-plus years old

7 p.m. — Lion’s Club Concert at Marantette Park featuring the Flathead Valley Band.

July 27

5:30 p.m. — The annual Wildcat Athletic Endowment Auction and barbecue at the Coop. Food starts at 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. for $10 a plate. Silent auction runs until 8:30 p.m., with live auction to follow. The endowment is closing in on its goal to reach the $1 million mark. From 8:30 to 11 p.m. there is a social hour with a cash bar and music by On the Move. This party draws Columbia Falls alumni from across all decades and isn’t one to miss.

At 7 p.m. there an open rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena as well.

July 28

7 a.m. — Columbia Falls Fire Department’s annual pancake breakfast. Come out and support the fire department.

7:30 a.m. — Early check-in at Berube Physical Therapy for the Heritage Days 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Teams will consist of boys and girls, grades 5-6, grades 7-8 and grades 9-12 and Men’s Open.

Registration forms may be picked up at the Columbia Falls Chamber Office, Berube Physical Therapy, Glacier Bank and Whitefish Credit Union. Contact Laura Gadwa at 892-2072 with any questions. Cost per team is $80.

8 a.m. — Glacier Bank Boogie-to-the-Bank 5K and 10K run. North Fork to Discovery Square . Contact Ashley Campbell at 406-751-4758 for more information.

9 a.m. — JIM’S Rat Race - by Glacier Bank and JIM. (the race will start after the last runner is finished with Boogie) Open to children ages 4-13. Its a short sprint from Whitefish Credit Union down to the Boogie to the Bank finish line. Contact Ashley Campbell at 406-751-4758 for more information.

9 a.m. - 5- p.m. — Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors by Whitefish Credit Union.

10 a.m - 3:00 p.m.— North Valley Senior Center Fund Raiser Luncheon with the North Valley High Steppers line dancing entertainment. For more information call the center at 406-892-4087.

Noon — Main parade on Nucleus Avenue. Parade participants will stage along Railroad Street at the north end of Nucleus Ave. at 11 a.m. Forms are available at city hall and the city’s official website, cityofcolumbiafalls.org.

1 p.m. - 4 p.m. — Family Fun Day — Glacier Bank parking lot with rides and games.

1:30 p.m. - Freedom Bank’s Wild Horse Drive on Highway 2 from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon. Watch as the wild horses run down the highway to the rodeo grounds.

4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p. m. — Falls Fest Fundraiser by the Rotary Club, with music by the Latin jazz band Cocinando at Marantette Park followed by headliner country-rock band Jacque Jolene and the Last Chance Band.

5 p.m. — Social Shindig at North Valley Eagles with music by Steve Gengler. There’s $8 cheeseburgers. Camper and tent spots available Saturday only $20/$10 Donation. Proceeds benefit Columbia Falls High School Band.

7 p. m. — Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena.

July 29

Worship service from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Marantette Park. The annual Wildcat Athletic Endowment Auction golf scramble is at 9 a.m. at the West Glacier golf course. Shotgun start.