Shake up winter at Cabin Fever Days this weekend
Annual fundraiser in the Canyon begins Saturday and benefits local charities
Pull yourselves out of your winter funks and head up to the Canyon this weekend for the 28th annual running of Cabin Fever Days.
The 25 or so organizers with the Trapline Association will supply the racing mice, the chicken poop, the biscuits and gravy - and they're even hauling in snow for the "world famous" barstool races down Martin City's Sugar Hill on Saturday and Sunday.
You bring an adventurous spirit and a good attitude.
The fun will show up all on its own.
The annual fundraiser in Hungry Horse, Martin City and Coram brings in thousands of dollars for charities near and dear to Canyonite hearts.
All proceeds will go to Canyon Head Start, Martin City Fire Department and the Canyon Quick Response Unit. There's always a generous donation left over for the Canyon Children's Christmas fund, too.
The group's first-place pirate ship float in the Whitefish Carnival parade Saturday, fronted by the authentic Captain Morgan statue (Montana's only one), is testimony that they know how to stage a good time.
Tena Barnes, a Stoners Inn worker and longtime Cabin Fever Days organizer, said the Captain's ship - complete with skis bolted to the keel - may carry a special guest in the barstool races.
"The Monster (from 103.9-FM) was right in front of us in the parade," she said. "I think we have him talked into riding the pirate ship down the hill. Now, we just hope he remembers."
Sumo wrestling will be the only thing missing from the scene this year, because a Missoula trip was required for the suits and mats.
But there will be plenty more wild and woolly fun.
-On Friday, the mixed-doubles pool tourney starts at 7 p.m. in the South Fork, and the Deer Lick and Packers Roost will have live music.
The poker run began Monday. Start at the Dam Town Tavern, buy a $5 card, visit the other five Canyon bars for a number from each, and turn in your sealed numbers at the Dew Drop Inn by 3 p.m. Sunday. That's when hands are tallied and prizes awarded.
-On Saturday, belly up to the 8 a.m. breakfast table at Packers for biscuits and gravy, then head over to the Dam Town for the 10 a.m. kids' pool tourney, up to Sugar Hill in Martin City for kids' sled races at noon, then to Canyon Head Start for the 1 p.m. kids' carnival.
Qualifying runs for barstool races start at 1 p.m. in four categories - open (anything on a pair of skis), nonsteerable (that's where the bar stools usually come in), steerable, and best in show (such as a previous year's castle with a working drawbridge, or the drum kit barreling downhill to the beat of "Wipeout").
Chicken poop bingo at 2 p.m. is just like it sounds. You buy a square on a big bingo board, a chicken wanders across it until it selects its spot, you win if you get the poop. Repeat with five or six new chickens.
Packers is having a hog roast at 2 p.m., shuffleboard at the South Fork at 3 p.m., pari-mutuel mouse racing there at 4 p.m., mountain man competition at Packers at 4 p.m. (hatchet throwing will be involved), live music at the South Fork and Packers, and karaoke at Stoners that night.
-Sunday is a repeat of Saturday's biscuits and gravy, kids' carnival, chicken poop bingo, barstool race qualifying runs, mouse races, live music and hog roast.
Add in the 3 p.m. barstool race finals, 5 p.m. spot prize drawings and 7 p.m. awards ceremony at Packers, and you have the weekend wrapped up.
Buy $2 entry buttons in advance at Dam Town, Packers, South Fork, Deer Lick, Stoners and Dew Drop, or get them when you show up for the fun.