Fire couldn't snuff church's spirit

The Daily Inter Lake

Arsonists recently destroyed the Kalispell Church of the Nazarene's bus, but it won't stop the congregation from having an entry in this year's Northwest Montana Fair parade.

The church's "Bus of Fun," equipped with a basketball hoop on the back and used to transport children to camp and other activities, was always a popular parade entry because the church hands out thousands of bottles of cold water during the fair parade, church member Georgia Branscome said.

About three weeks ago the bus was set on fire as it sat in the church parking lot on Whitefish Stage Road. It was a total loss.

"It's just a shame," Branscome said. "It's totaled and there's no insurance on it. We have to start fund-raising for a new bus."

The congregation will still be represented in the parade, though. Dan Lucas will drive an antique tractor, and a pickup will pull a wagon featuring live music. And the bottles of cold water will continue to flow into the crowd.

The fair parade begins at 10 a.m. Friday, featuring Frank and Peg Gebhardt as grand marshals.

The route begins on Main Street at Eighth Street West and continues northward to Center Street, where it turns left and continues to Fifth Avenue West and heads back to the Flathead High School parking lot.

There's still time for last-minute entries. Call or stop by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce office for an entry form. The Chamber's Ambassadors organize the annual event.

Line-up time for entries is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Eighth Street West near the courthouse. Judging begins at 8:30 a.m. The theme is "Growing From Our Country Roots."

Cash prizes are awarded for the best entries.