Heritage Days is all this week: Lineup of events, and a photo gallery through time
CFHS graduate Mike Lyngstad, left, was the guest speaker at the 1969 athletic banquet. Mark Beckwith won top honors in basketball and track, as well as the Tom Dumay Memorial Award. Jon Konen was the outstanding football back and David Renfrow was the outstanding wrestler. (Mel Ruder photo)
The Anaconda Aluminum Co. Babe Ruth team, June, 1969. Front row, from left, are Mark Jimmerson, Shane Steele, Lloyd McSloy, Jeff Matteson, Marc Reid, Terry Smith and Jeff Fields. In the back row are Coach Francis Anywaush, Rick Blades, Doug Cordier, Gordon Beack , Les Logan, Greg Sloan and Steve Anywaush. (Mel Ruder photo)
A long jumper competes during a Columbia Falls track meet in June 1979. (Scott Crandell photo)
The 2009 CFHS Wildcat football team. In the front row, from left, are Lucas Baumann, Dennis Mickelson, Kohl Thompson, John Woody, Matt Triplett, Josh Taylor, Paul West and Josh Folsom. In the second row are Taylor Martinson, Garrett Houston, Jace McGlechick, Nathan Carr, Dustin Weber, Devyn Rocker, Nate Thompson, Kyle Howell and Jason Trueblood. In the third row are Cody Elek, Dustin VonFeldt, Wayde Martinson, R.J. Webber, Cole Jones, Daniel Jones, Cody Bartos, Steven Korsa, Bryce Arneson and Matt Hollo. In the fourth row are Austin Barth, Kaleb Johnson, Chris King, Mike Macijunas, Kelly Houl…
From left, Monica Peterson, Christy Sutter and Helen Schaeffer cheer on classmates during the 1989 Columbia falls High School graduation.
Entering the gym for graduation in 1999 were, from left, Mike Peters, LaNae Adams, Josh Gale and Lynsee Forshee.
The 2009 sixth grade hoops champions.
The cast of the Columbia Falls High School touring show of “Echos from the Past” in 1989. Front row, from left are Cami Renfrow, Lance Strand, Sandra Murphy, Cindy Ritter, Brian Hunter, Heidi Campbell, Heidi Almos and Debbie Klisis. In the back row are Chris Gopp, Tana Bair, Mandi Secord, Chris Schlegel, Kent Blair, Craig Schelling, Mike Sharp, Travis Almos, Jason Moser, Amy Bair, Ken Toole, Lara Henderson, Ginger Duncan, Melanie Moody and Ty Campbell.
Columbia Falls High School Principal Carl Launer and transfer students Jim Holt, Everett Wash and Virginia Knudsen on the first day of school at the new high school in 1959. (Mel Ruder photo)
From left, Sylvia Barrett, Shane Graham and Jim Baumgartner in the 1979 Columbia Falls High School production of “Up and Down the Staircase.” (Scott Crandell photo)
Scoutmaster Fred Flint inspects the Pinewood Derby entries in 1989 as scouts Memery Smith and Iain Stone look on.
The Martin City and Coram MC&C team won the Bad Rock Canyon Softball League’s regular season in 1969 and second in the end of year tournamenrt. Front row, from left, are Laura Hanks, Lil Bras, Rosie Treat, Carol Wilkens and Marlene Potter. In the back row are Barbara Birnel, Sandy Djonne, Janet Mendenhall, Karen Leitz and Lavon Mundell. (Mel Ruder photo)
The 1998-99 CFHS Sonifers. On the stairs, from left, are Tana Bair, Amy Bair, Heidi Almos, Kim White, Lara Henderson, Cami Renfrow, Shannon Trenkle, Margaret Goeppinger, Melanie Moody and Heidi Campbell. In the front are Dan Tintzmean, Jason Anderson, Travis Almos, Ty Campbell, Ken Toole, Kent Blair, Chris Schlegel, Jason Moser and Brent Duval.
1969 CFHS girls track team members. Front, from left, are Lucille Rogers, Marge Cady, Carol Belston and Ginger Damrose. In the back row are Darla Lewis, Sharon Leach, Nina Snyder and coach Cathy O’Hare. (Mel Ruder photo)
The first classes at the new Columbia Falls High School were held Sept. 8, 1959.
First graders at the new Canyon Elementary School in January, 1989. (Mel Ruder photo)
Columbia Falls celebrates Heritage Days with car shows, rodeos, basketball tournaments, parties and the big parade on Saturday. This year’s theme is “There is no place like home.”
The big change this year is the Rotary Club will be hosting free music Saturday afternoon and evening at Marantette Park. Folks can stop by and grab a beer at the beer garden after the parade and the shows start at 3 p.m. with musician Dan Dubuque, followed by the rocking bluegrass of Barnyard Riot from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and then The Brothers headline from 7 to 10 p.m.
“This year we just decided to make the shows free,” said Rotarian Vernon Kiser.
In addition to the music, there will be food trucks at the park and other vendors as well, including Frugals burgers, Porteus Barbecue and Island Noodles.
Folks who are in town for reunions are urged to come on down and relax and listen to the music.
Here’s a full lineup of events:
Wednesday, July 24
5-9 p.m.
The 10th annual car show at Marantette Park with the American Legion Freedom Post 72 barbecue from 4-7 p.m. A nominal fee/donation will be requested to cover costs of the food.
Thursday, July 25
5 p.m. -midnight
The Community Market at the Coop, featuring music by Five Letter Word from 5-8 p.m. and the Mike Murray Band from 8:30-11:30 p.m.
Free swimming at the Pinewood Park Pool with adults and kids to age 10 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. and adults and kids older than 11 from 8:45-10 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Lion’s Club Concert at Marantette Park featuring the Flathead Community band.
Friday, July 26
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. The silent auction runs until 8:30 p.m. with a live auction from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The endowment is closing in on its goal to reach the $1 million mark. From 8:30 to 11 p.m. there will 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.
7 p.m.
Open rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena behind the Blue Moon Bar and Grille.
Saturday, July 27
7 a.m.
Columbia Falls Fire Department’s annual pancake breakfast at the Don Anderson Fire Hall. 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, 7-8 and 9-12 and Men’s Open.
Registration forms may be picked up at the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce 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.
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 race from Whitefish Credit Union down to the Boggie to the Bank finish line. Contact Ashley Campbell at 406-751-4758 for more information.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arts, crafts, food vendors and activities for the kids at Marantette Park.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
North Valley Senior Center Fund Raiser Luncheon with the North Valley High Steppers line dancing entertainment from 11 a.m. until noon.
Noon
Main Parade on Nucleus Avenue (Railroad Street to 7th Street West). Parade participants will stage along Railroad Street at the north end of Nucleus Ave. at 11 a.m.
1 to 4 p.m.
Family Fun Day in the Glacier Bank parking lot with rides and games.
1:30 p.m.
Freedom Bank’s Wild Horse Drive on Hwy. 2 from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon. Watch as the wild horses run down the highway to the rodeo grounds.
4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Falls Fest free concerts by the Rotary Club at Marantette Park, with music by the “Barn Yard Riot” followed by more music by “The Brothers.”
7 p.m.
Open rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena behind the Blue Moon Bar and Grill.
Sunday, July 28
9 a.m.
The 19th Annual Wildcat Athletic Endowment Golf Scramble at Glacier View Gold Course in West Glacier.