Heritage Days Committee says it could use some help
Heritage Days has largely been organized by a handful of people for the past 30 years. Here, a woman rides through the parade in this file photo.
After more than 30 years organizing Heritage Days, Shirley Reynolds said she and her fellow volunteers could use a little help.
Heritage Days is the annual Columbia Falls celebration at the end of July each year. It draws a host of class reunions and includes multiple events, including a car show, a parade and other events.
Reynolds, Vicki and Art Ott and Todd DeRuchia make up the committee that puts the events together each year — but all of them have been doing it for decades now and they’d like to see some new blood and new ideas.
“We could always use more help,” Reynolds said recently. “Especially when it comes to new ideas.”
Some events have admittedly run their course, Reynolds noted. For example, attempts at having a market after the parade have fallen flat over the years, as have concerts at the Marantette Park on Saturday.
Others have gone by the wayside because Heritage Days is a sanctioned city event for the most part, and as such, has to be insurable.
The city used to close down Nucleus Avenue and have a big street dance on Saturday night, but insurance will no longer cover the event. One year there was a burnout competition, but insurance won’t cover that sort of event either.
Reynolds said one idea she has is for a corn hole tournament — the yard game is extremely popular —but she needs someone to organize and run it.
She noted that an event doesn’t have to be hosted by a local club, individuals can help as well.
“If they wanted to take on a project, we’d love it,” she said.
Som Heritage Days events have been taken over by private businesses. Bars on Nucleus Avenue, for example, have live music both Friday and Saturday, which has largely replaced the street dance.
But Reynolds said she’d love to see a country band barn dance at Marantette Park Saturday night. A lot of locals aren’t necessarily into the rock bands that typically play at the bars.
There was a barn dance a few years ago, but it too, went by the wayside.
Some events have moved entirely. The Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce moved the 3-on-3 basketball tournament to a different weekend. It used to be Heritage Days, but conflicted with other tourneys in the area.
Whatever the case, folks with ideas can contact Reynolds directly at (406)-892-0178.