Huckleberry Festival set to take over T.C.

The 39th Annual Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek will kick off this weekend. Organizers are touting what an accomplishment nearly four decades has been. Had it not been for 1999, when no one stepped up to organize the Huckleberry Festival, this would have been the 40th year. Thankfully, in 2000 someone stepped up. And so, the festival continues.

The fun kicks off Friday, August 10, at 5p.m. The flag will be raised to the national anthem, pledging of allegiance and followed by a celebration of everything huckleberry.

As always, the festival will feature some fine talents Friday evening. Music, dancing and the famous Miss Huckleberry and Huck Finn talent show will please the crowd.

Saturday celebrations will resume with huckleberry pancakes to fill bellies, served by Trout Creek Rural Volunteer Fire Department. Then, consider partaking in a 5K fun run to burn the flapjacks off. Proceeds from the run benefit Sanders County cross county programs and Clark Fork Valley Running Club scholarship fund. Interested runners should contact Sarah Naegeli at 827-4887 or email [email protected]. This marks the 40th annual Run for Fun, as they held the run in 1999, despite the cancellation of the Huckleberry Festival that year.

A “Montana’s Best in the Wild West” themed parade will entice attendees Saturday morning. Kathy Rodriguez can be contact for pre-registration at 827-3434. Parade Grand Marshalls are Pat and Lloyd Austin of Trout Creek.

After resting up during the parade, 5K runners and everyone else can continue to challenge their physical capabilities in the Homesteader Pentathlon while enjoying Albeni Falls Pipes and Drums and Swing Street Big Band music. In addition, dog lovers will find entertainment watching Huckleberry Hounds dog agility demonstrations throughout the day.

One of the biggest draws of the festival is the auction, with the hilarity of the Pie Eating Contest (a free-for-all, with faces covered in pie filling), taking place right after. Settling the night down with a dance and music seems fitting for closure to a fun-filled day.

Because those pancakes were so good the first time around, why not give them another go on Sunday morning. Then let the tummies rest while the Huckleberry Hounds will have a competition…dogs and owner versus dog and owner…who will outrun the rest? After that, a non-denominational worship service will take place, then more music, a jam and jelly contest and the continuance of the Homesteader Pentathlon.

What’s a festival without a horseshoe tournament? Organizers don’t know - because they have one, beginning 1 p.m. at the horseshoe pits. More is in store for Sunday, dessert contests and kids dog agility racing (dogs will be furnished for those without a furry friend) just to name a couple.

“We’ve been working hard, and we look forward to seeing all of you at this year’s 39th Annual Huckleberry Festival – a free admission, family-friendly, alcohol/tobacco/vape-free event,” said organizer Deb McNary, “dogs are welcome – but they must be on a leash. And remember, if it’s hot, you can’t leave your pets in your vehicles. Hope to see you there.”

Festival brochures are available at most local businesses throughout the county and will be available at the park.