Flathead full of parties, events for New Year's Eve
The Flathead Valley has a full slate of New Year's Eve activities awaiting revelers, ranging from a Centennial Gala in Whitefish to country western dancing at the Blue Moon Nite Club.
Here's a rundown of some of the area celebrations:
Kalispell
. First Night Flathead in Kalispell is an alcohol-free community celebration offering a variety of acts throughout the downtown area.
The evening begins at 4 p.m. and wraps up at 1 a.m. A First Night button gives holders admission to all events; prices are $7 per person during the event. Children 6 and younger are free.
Among the performers this year are Steve Eckels, Leftover Biscuits, Blue Onion, The Maw Brothers, Joe Zambrano, Jack Gladstone, The Montanaires, Paul Gonsorchik and Irish Minstrels. Call 881-4088 for details.
. Big Daddy and the Blue Notes offers a special New Year's Eve party in the Kalispell WestCoast Outlaw Inn ballroom; music starts at 9 p.m. Buffet and tickets and/or rooms are available at the Outlaw Inn or Bulldog in Kalispell. This is a formal affair - wear your finest and dancing shoes. Call 752-7522.
. The Rockaholics band is the featured entertainment at The Finish Line in Kalispell on New Year's Eve; music starts at 9 p.m.
Whitefish
. Whitefish kicks off its centennial year with a New Year's Eve gala beginning at 9 p.m. at the O'Shaughnessy Center. An awards ceremony and unveiling of the centennial coins are planned at 9:30 p.m. Dancing begins at 10 p.m. Appetizers and a champagne toast are included in the $20 ticket price. Call 862-3501.
. The Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish offers free public skating from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. New Year's Eve. The event is a thank-you from local businesses who help sponsor the ice time. Call 863-2477.
. Big Mountain Ski Resort has planned a Rockin' Rail Jam on New Year's Eve to debut the new 20-foot rail and battleship box for ski and snowboard stunts. Located just above the T-bar for spectator viewing, the competition begins at 5 p.m. and ends just before the torchlight parade and fireworks show at 7 p.m.
Judges will score the best two jam sessions per rider. Registration for the rail jam is from 4 to 5 p.m. at the T-bar and awards will be announced at the end of the event. All competitors must wear an approved helmet and participants under 18 must have parents or guardians sign waivers of liability.
At 7 p.m., the torchlight parade begins with skiers and snowboarders gliding down Ed's Run in an "S" formation with lighted flares. Guests can view the parade from inside Moguls or outside at the bottom of Chair 2. A fireworks show tops off the event. Chair 2 will be closed for night skiing from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the lights will be turned off for parade viewing.
Party options at Big Mountain are abundant on New Year's Eve. The Bierstube will host Electric Mud, a local four-piece rock/funk/blues band. A complimentary champagne toast is served at midnight. Doors open at 8 p.m. and admission is $10 with giveaways and prizes offered throughout the evening.
Hellroaring Saloon hosts a deejay and black-light party. Party favors and entrance to the party are included with dinner, or there is a $5 cover at the door.
Moguls Village Pub will have a full evening, with John Dunnigan playing live music starting at 4:30 p.m. After the torchlight parade, deejay Doug Troft will spin tunes from the 1970s, '80s and '90s in the bar area, while the dining room offers specials. There is no cover charge. Both Cafe Kandahar and the Alpinglow Inn offer dinner specials in addition to regular menus. Reservations are recommended.
For ages 12 and up, Big Mountain offers a New Year's teen dance at the Outpost including live punk-rock bands, as well as hip-hop, trance, and dance music from the region's top deejays. Bands include Minus My Thoughts, El Pollo Diablo, Twitch, The Taking Tree, Triple B, Easy Way Out and Irritation of the Poke. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door and include contests and giveaways. Tickets available at Storm Skate + Snow in Whitefish, or can be reserved by going to www.newyearsevebash.tk. Music begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 12:25 a.m.
. In downtown Whitefish, the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings will play at Flanagan's Central Station (formerly Club Central/Coaches Corner) beginning at 9:30 p.m. A dinner package for $40, with two free drinks, should be purchased in advance. A $15 ticket covers the show and one free drink. Call 862-8888.
Bigfork
. At the Bigfork Inn, the Company Brass band starts playing at 9 p.m. There's plenty of room for dancing. The inn serves dinner in two seatings, with the band playing for the second seating. Party favors included; call 837-6680 for reservations.
Columbia Falls
. The Blue Moon Nite Club near Columbia Falls starts celebrating at 9:30 p.m. with live music by the house band. There's no cover charge, but owner Dick Sapa says: "Come early if you want a place to sit." Party favors will help ring in the new year.
Somers
. White Oak Grand Hotel south of Kalispell features New Year's Eve music by Billy Angel and the Rockabilly Band. The hotel offers a New Year's package for $149 per couple that includes dinner prepared by Montana Bistro of Bigfork, dancing, midnight champagne toast, party favors and complimentary breakfast in the morning. An alternative package offers dinner and dancing for $99 per couple. Call 857-2388.
Elsewhere
. Wild Plum Station Restaurant, Mercantile and Gallery, located on the Flathead River near the National Bison Range, hosts a New Year's Eve fancy dress ball beginning at 8 p.m. Call (406) 246-ARTS.