Flathead Cherry Festival celebrates history, community
Rob Zolman
Locally grown cherries and more will be on tap at this weekend’s Flathead Cherry Festival.
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News from the PBC Polson Business Community
POLSON — The Polson Business Community has been hard at work planning the 22nd annual Flathead Cherry Festival. The coming weekend event features local art, vendors, food and of course, cherries.
All are invited to downtown Polson on Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate the history of the Flathead Cherry Growers and the community.
Fun Festival Facts:
• 60 percent of the booths are local and regional artists with over 100 vendors participating;
• baked treats, including pie, are available; sadly, no pie eating or pit spitting contests this year;
• a food court will be available;
• live music is on Saturday afternoon;
• a chalk art contest is on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. in Cherry Alley, near the Cove Deli and Pizza;
• a pancake breakfast, hosted by the Polson Chamber of Commerce, will be available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Elks Lodge on both Saturday and Sunday mornings;
• cherries and cherry pies will be available for purchase but they go fast.
This year, we moved the event dates forward a couple weekends to match the local cherry crops. The Flathead Cherry Growers Co-Op invites orchards to have truckloads of cherries for sale during the two-day event.
“We as a community are excited to celebrate, once again, with the public,” Polson Business Community members and organizers said. “In addition to the street vendors, all Main Street businesses will also be open during the event. We are grateful for everyone’s continued support of our established and new local businesses.”
Bobbie Goldberg, Polson Business Community president and owner of Second Nature Gifts and Goods, said: “COVID-19 closed down all events in 2020, so the Polson Business Community has made it our goal to provide a safe, healthy and fun environment for people of all ages to come and enjoy our annual downtown event.”
A newer local shop owner, Carol Lynn Lapotka of handMADE Montana, said: “Events like the Flathead Cherry Festival are essential additions to small communities like Polson. They create opportunities for us to share the creativity and vibrancy of our corner of the lake. Events are a great way to gather people together and boost the local economy.”
The Flathead Cherry Festival is organized by volunteer members of the Polson Business Community and supported by the Flathead Cherry Growers, Inc.
