Kick’n it!
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RONAN –The 2011 Ronan Pioneer Days celebration was one to remember, offering loads of old fashioned fun for the whole family. This year’s theme was Kick’n It, and the four-day event truly kicked the fun up a notch with more than 15 family-friendly events for the community and its visitors to enjoy.
To kick off Pioneer Days weekend, the Ronan Fire Department hosted their first-ever Beer, Burgers, and Brats fundraising event at the Ronan Fairgrounds on Aug. 4. Music fans and supportive community members gathered during the warm, sunny evening to enjoy fresh cooked brats, burgers, and hot dogs.
Headlining the event was Kalispell band “Out on Bail,” who kept 150 or so audience members entertained throughout the evening with covers of classics from the 70s, and a few modern-day tunes.
“It went really well overall,” Ronan fireman Mike Bartel said. “Everything was excellent and everyone had fun.”
An estimated $1,500 was raised for the benefit of the Ronan Fire Department.
On Friday, approximately 200 children tried their luck in luring 546 stocked rainbow trout out of Spring Creek during the annual fishing derby in Ronan’s Bockman Park. The fish were delivered by the National Fish Hatchery in Creston, Mont., to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Tribal Fishery department, who work with the Ronan VFW to stock the creek.
The derby, organized annually by VFW Post 5652, has been held in Ronan for more than 20 years to introduce children to fishing while providing them increased chances of catching a fish. This year’s event was sponsored by the Ronan VFW, CSKT, Ronan Parks and Recreation, and the U.S. Department of Interior.
During the derby, two 7-and-younger tanks were filled with more than 100 trout for youngsters who were learning the techniques of landing the large trout.
According to VFW member Ron Merwin, the purpose of the derby is to promote fishing and to provide a family event and fishing opportunities for children. Since Spring Creek rarely fluctuates in flow, it is an ideal location for young children to safely fish.
Upstream, those more familiar with fishing waded the cold waters to catch un-stocked brook trout, and rainbow trout up to 17 inches long. In the deep pool flowing underneath Buchanan St., Noah Bettencourt, smiling ear to ear, pulled out a large rainbow with his father Jessie by his side. Regardless of how many fish each child caught, prizes were given to each participant who signed up. This year’s prizes included fishing poles, Frisbees, rolls of state quarters, pencils, and model airplanes.
WWII Veteran and avid fisherman Arnie Armstrong founded the event and has been actively involved with it ever since. Armstrong plans on passing the event over to someone else, as this was his final year as the chair the event.
“The VFW really wants to recognize him for what he’s done,” Merwin said. “He’s real quick to pass credit on to someone else, but without his effort it wouldn’t have happened.”
At 6 p.m. on Friday, the 2nd Chance Saloon launched 100 colorful rubber ducks into Spring Creek during their duck race, despite the rainy weather. Donny May’s duck took first and the 2nd Chance bartenders finished second.
On Saturday morning athletes could choose from either running in the Mission Mountain Classic Run at Community Bank, or play some basketball at the 16th annual 3-on-3 “Jam”boree at the Ronan High School parking lots.
According to event coordinator Steve Woll, this is final 3-on-3 before fall sports began picking up, which helps make the final tournament one of the region’s largest of the summer.
“So far, so good,” Woll said during the mid-day break on Saturday. “We have a big crowd, great weather, and everyone is having a good time.”
Woll said since the 3-on-3 tournament began years ago, it has evolved into a highly successful family event. Allowing both youth and adults to participate in the event has proven to be a positive change.
This year’s 3-on-3 brought 107 teams from surrounding areas, packing the courts with more than 3,000 athletes and spectators.
At 9 a.m., the Experimental Aircraft Association welcomed youngsters aged 8-17 to the Ronan Airport for free 20-minute flights around the Mission Valley in attempt to spark their interest in aviation.
At 12 p.m. the ever-popular Kiddie/City Slicker Rodeo began, drawing a large crowd of eager children to participate in a series of fun-filled events including Kid’s Sheep Riding, where young cowboys and cowgirls tightly gripped the bucking sheep in attempt to stay on for eight seconds. Some youngsters couldn’t tame the sheep quick enough and walked or ran away seemingly unsettled by the uncooperative animals. Sheep in the sheep riding and the sheep dressing events were provided by David Peck.
In the stick horse race, some children got confused on where they were riding their horses as they ran around the arena in mass confusion, while others had to saddle back up on their horses after falling down. Ice cream and treat certificates were awarded to all participants courtesy of Dairy Queen, Lynn’s Drive In, and McDonalds.
Children then styled sheep in the Kids Sheep Dressing, where winning teams split the prize money amongst themselves.
As the event wore on into the afternoon, the famed Chicken Scramble thrilled spectators. Children were given the opportunity to chase down a few chickens with money attached to their scrawny legs.
The final challenge of the kiddie rodeo was the pig scramble. Two greased pigs were released amongst more than 100 eager children ready to wrestle the slimy animals any way necessary for capture. After the pigs were caught, they were auctioned off to audience members.
Pioneer Days events continued early on Sunday, beginning with a Volleyball Tournament held in the city’s park.
At 12:30 p.m., more than 2,000 candy-capturing children and community members crowded Main Street in Ronan in anticipation of the annual parade. This year’s floats featured Ronan businesses, Ronan High School classes, and classic cars that rumbled down the street. Children filled bags to maximum capacity as those in the parade launched handfuls of candy to the sidewalk. At the parade’s conclusion, the Ronan Fire Department cooled down the streets with ice-cold water from a water cannon, showering willing candidates all the way down Main Street.
Pioneer Days concluded Sunday with the Open Rodeo and Wild Cow Race at 3 p.m., where Ronan native Cameron Barber won the Wild Buffalo ride, lasting 6.84 seconds on a bucking bison.
Mission Mountain Classic Run results
10-14 years old
Tel Motichka 21.009
Kyle Couture 22.3041
15-19 years old
Matt Keltgen 18.0738
Wyatt Mad Plume 18.5902
Daniel Romero 19.3264
20-29 years old
Michael Fisher 16.1938
Forrest Lumpry 16.462
Erick Stedje 19.4184
Brennin Grainey 19.4629
30-39 years old
Shea Carlson 20.0526
Tim Krantz 22.3781
Clay Bird 24.358
Carlos Larios 25.3275
40-49 years old
Trevor Motichka 22.5714
Jack Duffy 23.4631
Wes Baertsch 24.3926
Thomas Leafty 25.3499
Jaymie Bowditch 26.2127
Jeff Shell 27.5017
50-59 years old
Kevin Detwiler 23.4793
Steve Delay 26.059
Rod Stedje 26.357
Kermit Clary 29.5729
60-69 years old
Gary Bjelland 21.2682
Timothy Taylor 30.1811
Gale Decker 31.2846
Ron Mullis 32.3518
Gary Decker 33.3287
Dunner Parazoo 38.5166
Walk
Darla Reynolds 46.5917 (1st place walker female)
Char Hall 50.0604
Marie Cannady 50.0826
Lisa Grainey 49.5742
Louanne Hoskinson 52.1247
Heather Agostinelli 49.588
Jim Corbett 39.2665
0-9 years old
Paige Hepp 50.0086
Madison Clairmont 50.0185
Regan Clairmont 50.0272
10-14 years old
Joesy Motichka 25.1819
Whitney Bowditch 31.5617
15-19 years old
Marci Burd 24.4868
20-29 years old
Shayla Couture 26.3863
Kayla Couture 27.5377
Deserie Krell 28.0226
Danica Luedtke 30.0092
30-39 years old
Sarah Bird 24.3456
Deanna Mcelwee 25.1561
Heidi Sturm 26.064
Billie Caye 26.179
Stormy Taylor 26.376
Holly Duffy 27.3388
Elizabeth Sawyer 28.2312
Liz Courville 28.5366
Steph Gillin 31.0587
Niki Graham 31.2302
Deanne Burd 35.0405
Jenn Fisher 36.4811
Brandy Chisholm 38.0251
40-49 years old
Noelle Decker 23.5093 (1st place overall winner female)
Karrie Fisher 27.1323
Anna Marie Leafty 27.3139
Kelly Grove 27.3548
Marcie Motichka 27.3867
Anna Marie Mullis 29.1575
Lena Baertsch 32.2306
50-59 years old
Toni Clary 40.5677
60-69 years old
Pat Bristol 26.3646
Judy Bilile 36.4865
Bonnie Mueller 52.1372
70-79 years old
Floss Felsman 52.1449
Teams
Team Decker
Noelle Decker 23.5093
Holly Duffy 27.3388
Jack Duffy 23.4631
Total: 74.3112 (1st place team)
Team Mo
Trevor Motichka 22.5714
Josey Motichka 25.1819
Marcie Motichka 27.3867
Total: 75.14 (2nd place team)
Team Last Minute Show
Pat Bristol 26.3646
Rod Stedje 26.357
Carlos Larios 25.3275
Total: 78.0491 (3rd place team)
Team Electric Girls
Wes Baertsch 24.3926
Kayla Couture 27.5377
Shayla Couture 26.3867
Total: 78.0491
Team Two Medicine
Wyatt Mad Plume 18.5902
Deanne Burd 35.0405
Marci Burd 24.4868
Total: 78.1175
3D
Gale Decker 31.2846
Gary Decker 33.3287
Kelly Grove 27.3548
Total: 91.9681
