Flathead plays host to big summer events

When it comes to big, crowd-pleasing events, the hits just seem to keep on coming for the Flathead Valley.

We learned last week a five-day powwow is planned in early June at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. This celebration of Native American heritage is being put together with help from one of the biggest powwow coordinators in the United States and Canada. Organizers said they’re hoping to draw up to 50,000 people over the course of the multi-day event.

News of this huge powwow comes on the heels of the announcement of the Under the Big Sky Music & Arts Festival planned July 13-14 at Big Mountain Ranch near Whitefish. Nationally known singers and bands will play on two stages at the ranch off Voerman Road. Johnny Shockey and his event-production company Outriders Present hope to sell 10,000 tickets to the two-day music fest.

These two sizable events indicate the Flathead Valley is coming into its own as a host for some pretty big audiences.

Our local convention and visitor bureaus, Chambers of Commerce and other promoters have worked hard to put the Flathead in the limelight as an event epicenter, and thanks to their efforts we get to tap into a number of wonderful activities, from The Event at Rebecca Farm and its equine excellence, to the fierce competition of the Spartan Race and Montana Dragon Boat Races. And don’t forget all the other amenities and events that draw people to the Flathead — top-notch golf courses, theater productions and, of course, outdoor recreation that’s second to none with Glacier National Park as our crown jewel.

Summer is already an extremely busy time here, so we trust our local promoters are working hand-in-hand with all event coordinators on the myriad details that come with such planning. Summer in the Flathead can be somewhat of a love-hate relationship for locals who look forward to enjoying the outdoors and events in their communities but get frustrated with the upswing in traffic, the crowds in Glacier Park and the lines at stores and restaurants. Yet we realize that without our visitors — and these high-profile events driving the tourist traffic — our local economy would suffer. With proper prior planning, this summer stands to be one of the best yet here in Northwest Montana.