Volunteers busy preparing for Huckleberry Festival

The annual Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival is getting ready for a full weekend of fun Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15.

More than 90 vendors have signed up to be at the festival, according to Carrie Greene. who is in charge of vendors this year. “We are almost full. I have a feeling I am going to need a waiting list,” said Greene. She explained they usually have a few spots open a day before the event, but this year three weeks prior, she already has only a couple slots left. Of those vendors, Greene said that 25 are brand new. “I think everyone is ready to get back to the festival circuit,” said Greene. “Most of them that return say they just love this festival.”

Some of the vendors Greene highlighted include: one that sells salves and lotions made with huckleberries, a vendor from New York selling inlaid wood furniture, a hands-on pottery demonstration for youth, etched glass, knife makers, a shooting simulator provided by a local trap club and a helicopter tour. “There is a lot of variety in the vendors this year,” said Greene. Most of these vendors will be open both Saturday and Sunday, however, Greene explained that many will open Friday as well.

Greene said that every year the festival prepares for several thousand people, and according to Sarah Dramstad, there may not be many berries to feed them with. Dramstad is helping to handle the collection of huckleberries for the festival. “We would very much be interested in any berries for sale from anyone,” she stated.

Normally, the Huckleberry Festival team collects over 150 gallons of berries that will go into milkshakes, pies and cheesecake sauce for the festival. Without the berries, Dramstad explained, there could be a problem. “A Huckleberry Festival is pretty sad without huckleberries,” said Darmstad.

According to Dramstad, there are a lot of people who come from all over the country who have never tasted a huckleberry before. “That is what the festival is about,” exclaimed Darmstad. If they do not find berry sellers, “we’re going to have a hard time this year,” said Dramstad.

According to Sarah Naegeli, the Run for Fun 5K will happen Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. with pre-registration and pickup starting at 7:00 a.m. The race finish, and registration, will be located at the Trout Creek Motel. Naegeli said that day-of registration is possible, but they may run out of t-shirts by then. Interested parties can sign up through a link that can be found on the Huckleberry Festival website or through the Clark Fork Valley Running Club Facebook page. Registration is $25, which includes a t-shirt.

As for festival t-shirts, they can be picked up at the Trout Creek Quik Stop for $18.50. These shirts feature the 2021 festival logo.

Parties interested in selling berries can call Erin Lannon at (406) 827-4299. Vendors interested can call Greene at (406) 827-1801. For more information on the Huckleberry Festival, visit huckleberryfestival.com.