Huckleberry Festival returns to Trout Creek

The Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival is returning this year and festival planners said they are excited to be back. Elizabeth Haagenson, Huckleberry Festival chairperson, explained that they are excited to be hosting the festival again, especially after a year without. The festival theme this year is "Together Again," and volunteers say it may be one of the biggest years yet.

According to Haagenson, there will be a few changes and additions this year. One such change will involve the pancake breakfast, which will only take place Saturday, as the Trout Creek Rural Fire Department is having difficulty finding volunteers to help. However, they will receive some assistance from the Cabinet Ridge Riders. One of several additions will be an art pavilion for youth to find ways to express themselves. Another twist is the addition of a belly dancing act performed by a group from Sandpoint, Idaho, called Sapphire Moon. They have performed in Sandpoint in the past, and according to Haagenson, "We thought we'd add a little flavor this year." The festival will also see the return of the Swing Street Band, and Thompson Falls native Tanner Laws performs Sunday after the church service.

The annual 5K fun run begins at 8:30 a.m., and the parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday. The festival auction will hold viewing at 3:30 p.m. and will start at 4 p.m. At 7 p.m. Saturday, the Miss Huckleberry/Huck Finn talent contest will begin.

The Sanders County Dog Training Club demonstrations will happen again this year, but with some changes, according to club secretary Debby Mason. The club was formerly called Huckleberry Hounds. The presentations will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday demonstration will showcase agility training. Sunday the group will present tricks, nose work, obedience and more. Sunday morning at 8:30, the group will have what they call a fun match, which will be an unofficial competition to show what the dogs can do. "It's to kind of show people what we do and how much fun it is," said Mason. The group will also have a booth where festival goers can learn more about the group and purchase treats and toys.

The festival will also have a climbing wall presented and run by the National Guard. According to Staff Sergeant Wayne Carlisle, a National Guard recruiter out of Libby, the climbing wall is shared across the state amongst the National Guard as an event activity they can offer. They do other festivals, high school events and more. "I'm excited about it. Hopefully we get a good turnout. Libby has been hit pretty hard during COVID, especially in the way of events. I would like to see everybody get out and have fun," Carlisle said. They will have a booth set up with giveaway items such as hats and t-shirts, as well as National Guard information.

The Thompson Falls Trap Club will be setting up a sophisticated shooting simulator to allow festival goers to experience a trap shoot. The device uses real guns, unloaded and specially outfitted with laser readers. Using the real thing simulates the weight and feel of swinging a real gun. The device utilizes a screen that looks like a field backdrop which will then have red laser dots projected onto it to simulate clay pigeons. The users will then track the dots with their guns and push a button attached to the trigger to fire. The system then will let them know if they have a hit or miss. The system will be a slightly smaller version of one the group has set up in their clubhouse for training purposes. They will also have another booth set up for those interested in getting involved with the club. The second booth will include a raffle for a chance to win a firearm. All the proceeds from the raffle will go into their Junior Shooters trap shooting program. According to Digger Powell, Thompson Falls Trap Club president, the club's mission is to "facilitate shooting sports in the community for both youth and family and to promote shooting recreation."