Weekend update
FVCC commencement
Flathead Valley Community College’s 51st class commencement ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. today at the tent adjacent to the Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science on campus.
Commencement speakers include Flathead Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul Wachholz, FVCC adjunct instructor John Fraley and Class of 2019 graduate Emily Baker.
Contact Chris DeManche at 756-3668 for more information.
Wildflower hike
Take in the beauty of local wildflowers as the sun sets with a 1-mile guided hike from 8 to 9 p.m. this evening through Lone Pine State Park in Kalispell. Learn how to identify common wildflowers and what role they play in the Flathead Valley.
The cost is $4 for hikers 13 and older; 12 and younger are free. Registration is required and space is limited. Call 755-2706, ext. 0, to reserve your spot.
Immanuel Foundation estate sale
The Immanuel Foundation is having an estate sale to benefit Immanuel Lutheran Communities from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2 W. Kalispell. The sale will include furniture, artwork, books, household goods and more.
Holistic fair
An Awakening Heart & Soul Fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Red Lion Hotel in Polson. Holistic information will be available and lectures are scheduled. Admission is free.
Paddlefest
The annual Northern Rockies Paddlefest is this weekend at the Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park on Montana 35 just south of Bigfork.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Here’s your chance to try kayaks, stand-up-paddleboards and canoes free on Flathead Lake. The Flathead Paddlers will provide a mini-paddling clinic at 1 p.m. Saturday. Lunch will be served by Flathead Paddlers while it lasts.
The event is held rain or shine.
Cherry Blossom Festival
The 16th annual Yellow Bay Cherry Blossom Festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Yellow Bay Community Clubhouse located on Montana 35 at mile-marker 18. The festival is free and open to the public.
The festival features locally produced and hand-crafted items and live music all day.
Free door prizes will be announced throughout the day, and raffle tickets for hundreds of dollars worth of gift certificates and merchandise donated from local businesses will be available for purchase until 4 p.m. Raffle winners will be announced at 4 p.m. and winners do not need to be present.
The Yellow Bay Community Club’s ladies auxiliary will offer a homemade lunch of Sloppy Joes, hot dogs, potato salad, and pie at a nominal charge, along with pies and sweet treats at the bake sale table.
Plant exchange
A plant exchange takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Stillwater Grange Hall, 1810 W. Reserve Drive, in Kalispell. Neighbors share plants. There is no cost. For more information, call Linda at 406-249-3377.
Cemetery cleaning
The Bigfork’s historic Lone Pine Cemetery’s annual spring cleaning begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. Volunteers are needed to help clear the refuse, prune trees and bushes and prepare the cemetery for the Memorial Day weekend. Contact Arlene Wilson at 837-2674.
Garden Gallop
Columbia Falls Junior High School is having a Garden Gallop spring celebration from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.
Events include a veggie-costume 3K fun run, and then garden tour and plant sale. Coffee and snacks will be available.
Register online at https://jleefost123.wixsite.com/galloprun
The cost is free, with a recommended donation of $5 to $20.
T-shirt sales can also be made through the website. All proceeds go towards future school-garden programs.
Kids safety event
The fifth annual Spring into Safety Kids’ Day takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Trade Center at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.
Bring your bikes for a maintenance check and Montana Highway Patrol-sponsored road safety course.
More than 1,000 free kids’ bicycle helmets will be given away, courtesy of Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program.
There will also be kids’ games, face-painting, a bounce house and more.
Car seat safety checks will be conducted and more than 30 community programs will be represented at the event, along with police, fire, emergency and search and rescue departments and agencies.
Soroptimist bag sale
The Soroptimist Thrift Haus in Whitefish has its Spring Bag Sale from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Fill a grocery bag for $5. All proceeds benefit local nonprofits.
The Thrift Haus is located at 303 First St.
Mountain Brook social
The Mountain Brook Homestead Foundation hosts a chili, pie and ice cream social from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Mountain Brook Community Library, 2353 Foothill Road in Kalispell. Enjoy live music by the Swan Range Jammers.
Veterans Stand Down
The Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down & Food Pantry’s eighth annual Armed Forces Day Benefit Banquet is Saturday at the Kalispell Best Western Plus White Oak Grand Ballroom. This year’s theme is “Teamed for Defense.”
Funds raised this year will go toward a new veteran camp retreat and learning center.
Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with Erik Dye on the piano. A prime rib dinner catered by Vista Linda follows at 6:30 p.m. The “National Anthem” will be sung by Karen Weaver. Colton Raelund will perform magic, and the Swing Light band will provide dancing music throughout the evening. There will also be both a silent and live auction, and a 50/50 raffle.
Tickets are $35 per person; or $275 for at able of 8, which includes a bottle of Glory Wine. Everyone is welcome.
Advance tickets are available at the Veterans Food Pantry, 1349 U.S. 2 E. Kalispell; no tickets will be sold at the door. Call 756-7304 for tickets or more information.
Miss Rodeo Gala
A fundraising gala for Miss Rodeo Montana Kayla Seaman gets under way at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell.
The evening includes a social hour, photos, catered dinner, beer and wine for sale, silent auction, live auction, games for all ages, and music.
Tickets are $50 per person and include dinner and a drink ticket, available at https://www.missrodeomontana2019.com/gala-tickets/child-ticket; or call 406-253-3122.
Benefit concert
Wai Mizutani and Lauren Welch give a benefit concert for A Ray of Hope at 3 p.m. Sunday at Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Drive, in Kalispell. The public is invited.