Thompson Falls is a friendly town nestled in a quiet valley along the beautiful Clark Fork River and offers a multitude of attractions for visitors and residents alike. Annual events include the Flatiron Quilt Show in April, the Rose and Perennial Garden Show in June, and the Sanders County Christmas on Main Street and Bazaar in December. Visit the Historic Old Jail Museum in downtown Thompson Falls. Wildlife enthusiasts can view bighorn sheep in their natural habitat just 6 miles east of town at the Koo-Koo Stint Bighorn Sheep Viewing Site.
Sanders County Events 2009
March
Thompson Falls Senior Center Breakfast & Craft Fair
Date: March 28th
Time: Breakfast starts at 8:00, craft fair at 10:00, Lunch at 11:30 with all of it concluding at 4:00
Location: Thompson Falls Senior Center
Breakfast/Lunch Fee:
Description: This annual event features local and regional vendors. Breakfast and lunch is cooked by the seniors, there is a minimal charge.
Sponsors: Thompson Falls Senior Center
Contact: Darlene Glover, 241-0033
April
Thompson Falls Beautification Days
Date: April 16-18
Time: varies
Location: Thompson Falls, Volunteers check in at County Offices
Website: www.BeautificationDays.com
Description: Making the Thompson Falls area sparkle each spring is a community wide effort that receives community wide support. The multi-faceted event focuses on helping those people in the community who might have difficulty cleaning up their yards after winter. The event also features classes taught by the MSU Ext. agent, cleaning up areas along Main Street, the nominations for the Thumbs Up Awards, special project development such at the Mule Pasture Trail, and an overall effort to wipe out the drab of winter and spruce up our community. Sponsors & Supporters: Thompson Falls Community Development, Sanders County, Sanders County Commissioners, Whitefish Credit Union, First Security Bank, Valley Bank, Falls Motel, Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce, City of Thompson Falls, Thompson Falls School District, 4-H Club, The Elks Club, MSU Extension Services, and the community volunteers.
Contact: Rita (406) 827- 1985 [email protected]
Volunteer: Lori (406) 827-6942
Sponsor: Bruce & Diane (406) 827-0404
Flatiron Quilt Show
Dates: April 24-26
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Thompson Falls High school Gymnasium
Description: If you are a quilting enthusiast this is the event for you! One of the largest juried quilt shows in northwest Montana, the three day event features over 200 entries, plus a merchant mall where you will discover the newest sewing machines, quilt supplies, fabrics and notions. Attendees can enter to win the raffled quilt and enjoy the tearoom with hot and cold beverages and homemade cookies.
Sponsors: The Flatiron Quilting Guild
Contact: (406) 827-3666 flatiron@Blackfoot. net
Sanders County Historical Society �Chair-ity Auction Plus�
Dates: April 25
Time: 5:00 - 7:30pm Bring your antiques, collectibles and who-knows-what to the "Antiques Roadshow Knock-off." Knowledgeable people will give you a ballpark figure of its worth, what it was used for, and when it was made for a small fee of $5. Enjoy decadent desserts and coffee or tea while you peruse the eclectic assortment of chairs.
7:30pm - the live auction begins for the 25 locally decorated chairs.
Location: Thompson Falls Senior Citizens Center, east of Thompson Falls
Description: This wildly popular event Chair-ity Plus! revolves around chairs - both new and used, all presented in unique ways. The surprise is what has been added to the chairs in the way of decorations, accessories and enhancements to the twenty five chairs. Each will be original, with a theme and decorated with the hands and talents of local artists. Own an original piece of functional art and support the Historical Society at the same time. An variety of activities are slated, putting the "Plus" in the Chair-ity Auction. Admission is free, and tickets may be purchased for the array of refreshments.
Sponsors: Sanders County Historical Society
Contact: Janis Wiswell (406) 827-9851
May
Old Jail Museum Season Opens
Dates: May 10 � September 7
Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm daily
Location: Madison Street & Maiden Lane
Description: 2009 Museum theme is �A Stitch In Time�.
Contact: Sanders County Historical Society, PO Box 774, Thompson Falls, MT 59873
(406) 827-9851 or (406) 827-4002
Starts, Soil and Seeds Special Spring Event, part of the Thompson Falls Market
Dates: Saturday, May 16th, 2009
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Location: West Lot of the Falls Motel, Lincoln St & Maiden Lane, Thompson Falls, MT
Website: www.ThompsonFallsMarket.com
Description: Rain or Shine, this early event celebrates spring and the beginning of the planting season. Shop the unique merchandise booths, pick up your plant starts, seeds and soil additions for your garden. Meet and greet your neighbors and friends while shaking off a bit of that cabin fever.
Contact: Katrina Wright, 406-827-3559 or [email protected]
June
Cabinet Ridge Riders ATV Rally
Date: June13 (always the 2nd Saturday of June)
Times:
Location: Lakeside Resort & Motel, Trout Creek, Montana
Registration:
Description:
Sponsors: Cabinet Ridge Riders, Lakeside Motel & Resort, Wayside Bar
Contact: John Harris (406) 827-4458
Event Information: Jim Morkert (406) 827-9305 [email protected]
Thompson Falls Market
Dates: Every Saturday, June 27 �September 26
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Location: West Lot of the Falls Motel, Lincoln St & Maiden Lane, Thompson Falls, MT
Website: www.ThompsonFallsMarket.com
Description: In a time where produce is shipped to Montana from as far away as China and products are made on the other side of the world, the Thompson Falls Market is a celebration of locally grown and hand crafted products. Discover how delicious regionally grown produce is! Find jewelry, exceptional baked good, perfectly sweet jams and jellies, and more.
Contact: Katrina Wright, 406-827-3559 or [email protected]
Sanders County Yard-Saleing Event
Date: June 26 & 27
Time: VARIES
Location: Multiple sales along Highway 200, 28 & 56 in Sanders County, MT
Website: www.SandersSaleing.com
Description: Do you love a good yard sale? Is another man�s trash potentially your treasure! Do you spend weekends shopping the flea market or the local thrift store? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then mark your calendar today for the Sanders County Yard Sale-ing Event! Highways 200, 28 and 56 offer you two days packed full of other�s people stuff for you to explore.
Contact: Bruce & Diane Laube (406) 827-0404
Rose & Perennial Garden Party
Date: June 27
Time:
Location: Old Jail House Museum, Thompson Falls, MT
Admission: FREE
Description: Rose & Perennial Garden Party is a joint project of the Thompson Falls Historic Society and the Thompson Falls Garden Club. Entries are brought to the Old Jail Museum in the morning of the Rose and Perennial Garden Party. There are three categories to enter: Roses, Other Garden Perennials and Veggie Creations (children 12 and under). The Valley String group will be there for your enjoyment.
Contact: (406) 827-9851 or [email protected]
July
David Thompson Days ~ A Community Rendezvous & 4th of July Celebration
Date: July 4
Times: Main Street Parade10:00am- Event continues until 4:00pm
Location: Rose Garden & Main Street, Thompson Falls, MT
Website: www.ThompsonFallsChamber.com
Description: David Thompson Days ~ A Community Rendezvous features a 4th of July Main Street parade, a living history camp at the Rose Garden that showcases the life and times of trapper and explorer David Thompson, vendors and community!
Contact: Melissa, Chamber Manager (406) 827-4930 or [email protected]
Rally Run and Show & Shine
Date: July 18-19
Times: Friday 5:00pm, Saturday registration opens at 9:00am, event 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Ainsworth Field, Thompson Falls
Website: www.rodsnclassics.com
Description: One of the best Rod and Classic Automobile Events in Northwestern Montana. Rally Run on Friday and the Show & Shine car show on Saturday - bring your cool car or come check them out at Ainsworth Field. Enjoy poker run, poker walk, 50/50 raffle,
Contact: Doug & Karen Grimm (406) 827-4720 or Marilyn Vaught (406) 827-4485
Music on the River�s Bend
Date: July 19
Time: 7:00pm � 10:00pm
Location: River�s Bend Golf Course, Thompson Falls
Fee: $20.00 per car load
Website: www.ThompsonFallsChamber.com
Description: Live music just sounds better on the bend of the Clark Fork River. Live music, concessions and beverages at the most majestic venue in NW Montana.
Sponsors: Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce, Falls Motel, Subway, Conoco Feed & Fuel, Whitepine Entertainment, River�s Bend Golf Course
Contact: Melissa (406) 827-4390 [email protected]
Chicken Jamboree
Date: July 19
Time:
Location: PP&L Park, Thompson Falls
Fee: FREE
Website:
Description:
Sponsors:
Contact:
August
Sanders County Relay for Life
Date: August 7-8
Time: August 7 at 7:00pm through August 8 at 10:00am
Location: Thompson Falls High School Track
Website: www.relayforlife.org/sanderscountymt
Description: American Cancer Society Relay for Life, a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at the high school and take turns running or walking the track. Since cancer never sleeps, this relay is an overnight event.
Contact: Tracey, Relay Chair (406) 827-4009 or [email protected]
Volunteer: Jackie (406) 827-4949 [email protected]
30th annual Huckleberry Festival
Date: August 14-16
Time: 5:00pm on Friday through 4:00pm Sunday
Location: Trout Creek, MT
Website: www.HuckleberryFestival.com
Description: A Celebration of the Huckleberry! A free, family event, it includes live entertainment of many kinds, a huckleberry pancake breakfast, run/walk for fun, parade, carnival, children's games, arts and crafts booths, exhibits, huckleberry dessert contest, displays and a family dance under the stars. Come experience down home fun!
Contact: Liz Citrino (406) 827-5077 or (406) 827-3301
September
Sanders County Fair, Rodeo & Demolition Derby
Date: September 2-7
Location: Sanders County Fairgrounds, Plains, MT
Website: www.sanderscountyfair.com
Description: Sanders County Fair & Rodeo, an old fashioned country fair featuring agricultural exhibits, PRCA-sanctioned rodeos and a Bull-A-Rama, arena cross motorcycle event, demolition derby, and of course carnival rides and more.
Contact: (406) 826-3202
Trout Creek Cool Summer Nights Car Show
Date: September 12
Time: 10:00am-2:00pm
Location: Lakeside Resort & Motel, Trout Creek, MT
Website: www.Lakeside-resort-motels.com
Registration: Friday, Sept. 11 � evening, Saturday, Sept 12 8:00am-10:00am
$15 1st entry, $10 each additional entry
Description: Show off your cool car, truck or motorcycle and will door prizes, trophies and bragging rights. Dance to the �oldies� at the Naughty Pine Saloon on Saturday night.
Contact: Lakeside Motel & Resort (406) 827-4458 or [email protected]
October
Charlie Brown�s Pumpkin Patch
Date: October
Time: Doors open at 6:00pm
Location: Junior High School Gymnasium
Admission: Family of four $8, Individuals $3, 12 and younger $2
Description: Excitement and fun is to be had at the annual Halloween celebration where kids find tons of candy, activities, great costumes and prizes for special competitions. Enjoy such activities as apple on the stick, pop the balloon, hula-hooping, Simon says and musical chairs.
Sponsors: First Security Bank, Valley Bank
Contact: Cindy Bronner (406) 827-7006
November
Christmas Lighting Extravaganza
Dates: November 27 � January 1, 2010
Times: The lighting ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. on November the 23rd. The Christmas Lighting Display will be available for viewing nightly from dusk to 9:00 p.m. through January 1.
Location: Sanders County Fairgrounds, Plains, MT
Description: The Sanders County Fairgrounds are bedecked with all types of Christmas lights, life-size figurines and a nativity scene. Come join the festivities and get into the Christmas spirit when we turn on the lights November 27. Free chilidogs and hot chocolate for those brave enough to face the evening�s chill, plus fireworks top off the evening.
Sponsors: Plains-Paradise Chamber of Commerce, Sanders County Fairgrounds
Website: www.SandersCountyFair.com
Contact: Sanders County Fairgrounds
Friends of the Library Silent Auction
Dates: Monday, November 30- Saturday, December 5
Times: During regular library hours (11-5 Mon., 11-6 Tues., closed Wednesdays, 11-7 Thurs., 11-5 Fri., and 11-2 Sat.). Bidding closes at 6 p.m. on December 5.
Location: The Thompson Falls Public Library, 911 Main Street in downtown Thompson Falls
The Event: It is an auction like no other! Over 100 items to bid on including an array of gift baskets and gift items including framed artwork by local artists, works by skilled craftspeople, and local products and services, a children's auction, a handmade quilt raffle and a dinner raffle.
Details: View all auction items during library hours and write your bid on the bid sheet for the item you want. Check back often to make sure you haven't been outbid! You can bid as many times as you want, on as many items as you desire. Sealed bids are also accepted any time, but only sealed bids are accepted in the last 15 minutes of bidding. Items are awarded to the highest bidder at the close of the auction on Saturday, December 6th. It's easy and fun, and the baskets and items are wonderful. The children's auction is affordable for kids (a child must be present to bid), and the quilt raffle ($10 per ticket) and turkey dinner raffle ($5 per ticket) offer something for everyone.
Sponsors: Friends of the Library, Thompson Falls Public Library
Info & how to donate? - call Karen Harlan at (406) 827-1997 or bring items to the library.
December
12th Annual Gingerbread Contest
Dates: Saturday, December 5 ~ Voting & Viewing
Wednesday, December 9 ~ Winners Announced
Time: 12:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Old Jail Museum on the corner of Maiden Lane & Madison Street
Description: Come experience a "The Night Before Christmas" in gingerbread. Whether you are an old hat at building gingerbread houses or a novice, this event is for you to simply have a little sweet fun. Winners are determined by popular vote. Competition categories include: The Auntie A Award, Individual/Family, Business and Student/Youth Group. The only rules of the event are 1. Everything on your creation must be edible 2) It must fit through the door. The Gingerbread Contest is the historical society's "Visual Christmas Card" to the community, their way of saying Thank You for all of the support throughout the year. Winners of each category receive a $50 Savings Bond.
Sponsors: Sanders County Historical Society, Valley Bank, First Security Bank
Contact: Chairman Helen Meadows 827-3578 or email [email protected]
32th Annual Sanders County Christmas Bazaar
Date: Saturday, December 5
Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM
Location: Thompson Falls High School Gymnasium
Admission: FREE
Description: The focus of this holiday event has been to provide the wide array of local artists and craftsmen a showcase while raising money for a local charity. Now in its 30th year, that focus stays the same. Visitors to the Sanders County Craft Bazaar will be delighted to find one of a kind crafts by the areas highly skilled crafters. Though there are 54 booths at the bazaar, it hosts over 100 artists � working in different mediums from wood, metal, glass, crochet to paper and more. Their goal? To help you fill your stockings and complete your Christmas list.
Vendor Information: Ginny Dyer [email protected]
Contact: Ginny Dyer, Founder / Director, PO Box 835, Thompson Falls, MT 59873
E-mail: [email protected]
Christmas on Main Street
Date: Wednesday, December 9
Time: 5:00pm Dinner by the Men�s Prayer Group & Santa at Town Square
6:30pm Parade Begins
Location: Thompson Falls, Main street/Highway 200
Description: Top off the holiday celebration with a chili dinner at Christmas Square, visit with Santa Claus and enjoy the Kissing Ball Auction. The Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce presents a lighted holiday parade down Main Street starting at 6:30PM.
Sponsors: Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce, Inland Empire Builders/Ace Hardware, Falls Motel, First Security Bank
Contact: Parade Entry - call CoLene Marich, First Security Bank, Thompson Falls 827-7000.