President's Letter
Hello everyone! And welcome to August and SUMMER!! YEAH, its finally here!! ☀️ Thank you, one and all for all of the help and enthusiasm with the annual 4th of July parade this year and to the many floats that participated. The crowd definitely seems to be getting bigger over the last couple years. With the 41st annual Festival of the Arts behind us, we are looking forward to a busy August!!! Thank you to all of the volunteers, you know we can’t do all of these wonderful events without you!! Remember that the Chamber is open every day all week, and we are here to support you through this busy summer month. Stay rested, keep smiling and continue to be great hosts for our summer guests! Remember, we get to call this beautiful place home, all the rest just get to visit. Cheers to an Awesome August! Janine
5th annual Flathead Laker's Poker Paddle
Sunday, August 11th...

The Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to be partnering with the Flathead Lakers for a second year in a row and invite you to "Paddle for Clean Water" this Sunday!

While the registration deadline has officially passed, you may still register online here or the day of at the event, you will just miss out on the amazing lunch from Brookside Yard. Kayak, swim or grab your SUP and choose from a 2, 3 or 5+ mile course collecting poker cards to make the best hand. This is an amazing way to enjoy Flathead Lake and support an organization that works to protect the water quality and provide education on invasive species and more. The Poker Paddle is from 10 am - 1 pm and participant will launch from the public dock in Bigfork Bay.

Everyone is welcome to the after party at Brookside Yard. Local favorite, Mike Murray Duo, will be performing from noon-3 and there will be a silent auction with art work. jewelry, golf and raft trips, boat rentals and more! Please consider attending to show your support for Flathead Lake. If you have any questions or would like to donate an item, please contact the chamber here !

Thank you to our sponsors, Inland Northwest Toyota Dealers, Glacier Bank, Jennifer Shelley-PureWest and NW Montana Assoc. of Realtors. We could not do it without you!

We are still looking for 3 volunteers for crosswalk duty and to help move kayaks. If you are interested, please contact the chamber.
The August 8th Sundowner is at Park Side Credit Union
Join us tonight from 5-6:30 pm, at Park Side Credit Union, for our monthly networking reception. Tour the new Park Side Credit Union office if you have not done so already while you visit with friends, find out the latest Bigfork news and try your luck on some raffle prizes. Joining Park Side Credit Union in co-hosting this event is Old Town Center. Each merchant at Old Town Center is donating raffle items and catering if by Grateful Bread.

Thank you to everyone who attended the July Sundowner and to Emily and David at Woods Bay Wine for showing us at their beautiful location.
The Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival is August 10th!
Celebrating all things Huckleberry!
8:00 am Pancake Breakfast
9:00 am - 3:00 pm Silent Auction
11:00 am Huckleberry baking contest (Entries taken until 10:30 am with cash prizes)
11:30 am - 3:30 pm Ashley Creek Ramblers featuring Roy Wilhelm
3:45 pm Grand Prize drawing
Kids Games
Vendors & Beer Garden
Venue: Swan Lake Day Park Contact: Lesly Olsen at terry.olsen@gmail.com
Cheryl Hanes is retiring from the
Bigfork Art & Cultural Center
Earlier this month the Bigfork Art & Cultural Center's Executive Director, Cheryl Hanes, announced her retirement. Cheryl started at the BACC in 2016 as a volunteer, becoming the director in January of 2018. She has led the charge in bringing magic to the BACC with exhibits such as the current "Art of Us" and bringing the community piano to Electric Avenue. Her commitment to the BACC has been unwavering, but it is now time to go back to her "other life" and enjoy her retirement. The BACC is now actively looking for her replacement. Please share the job description below:

The Bigfork Art & Cultural Center is seeking a full time Executive Director with experience in the arts/non-profit management preferred. BACC is seeking an experienced team-builder with strong organizational, written/verbal communication, fundraising, strategic planning, and marketing skills (digital/print). The successful candidate should be a self starter who enjoys managing staff and volunteers, along with working with Board of Directors, BACC members, artists, volunteers and the community. For more information on the position and how to apply, please visit:  http://bigforkculture.org/about-us/
FIRE DANGER ELEVATED TO VERY HIGH
Cooperating Interagency Fire Officials across northwest Montana raised the Fire Danger Level from “High” to “Very High”. When fire danger is "Very High,” fires can start easily from most causes. They can spread rapidly, grow quickly, and increase in intensity immediately after ignition. The increase in fire behavior can produce long-distance spotting, fire-whirls, often making fires difficult to control.
Since July 1 there have been a total of 33 reported wildfires in the area, with over half being human-caused. A few fire prevention tips include:

  • When recreating, please stay on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass, as exhaust pipes and vehicle undercarriages can be very hot and easily start a wildfire. 
  • Check spark arrestors on off-road vehicles, chain saws, and other equipment with internal-combustion engines to ensure they are in working order.
  • Never leaving a campfire unattended. Use water and a tool to mix and stir until your fire is out and cold to the touch.
  • Adjust trailer chains so that they are not dragging. Dragging chains throw sparks into roadside vegetation and ignite quickly moving grass fires.
Interagency Fire Officials will continue to monitor conditions and look closely at the number of human-caused fire starts to determine if fire restrictions should be implemented in the northwest Montana area. For more information, contact your fire protection agency.

Fire Information for Travelers: Visit  TRAVELAWARE.MT.GOV  for updates on fire activity with potential impacts on travel in Montana. 
Free Computers from First Interstate Bank
First Interstate Bank in Bigfork has approximately 50 computers to give away to any non-profit organizations that are in need of computer equipment. These are Lenovo M91p with keyboard, optical mouse, 4GB RAM and either 250Gb or 500 Gb hard drive but no monitor. The units are 4 years old and ready for pickup here at the branch, first come first serve. These computers will be available until August 16 th . For more information, contact Nancy Fratt here .