Sun Road at 75
In 1932, this gas steam shovel from Colonial Construction Co. worked on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Going-to-the-Sun Mountain looms in the background.<br>Photo courtesy of Glacier National Park
Public invited to Friday event
It was planned as an invitational affair to be held at Logan Pass, but now the 75th anniversary celebration of Going-to-the-Sun Road will be an event open to the public at Lake McDonald Lodge on Friday.
Glacier National Park officials recently moved Friday's event from Logan Pass, where the original dedication ceremony was held before about 4,000 people in summer 1933.
Recent heavy snow storms and avalanches have delayed plowing progress on Sun Road, and the pass is expected to still be snow-covered by the end of next week.
The Lake McDonald Lodge venue is expected to accommodate more people, prompting the decision to open the event up to the public, said Amy Vanderbilt, Glacier's communications director.
"The public is invited, but we are asking people to bring folding chairs" because seating will be limited, Vanderbilt said.
Those interested in attending also are asked to park at the Apgar Transit Center, where shuttle buses will provide transportation to the lodge.
The celebration gets under way at 12:30 p.m. with musicians David Walburn, Jack Gladstone and Rob Quist performing on the lawn near Jammer Joe's restaurant.
Vanderbilt said shuttles will be arriving at the lodge from about noon to 2 p.m., when the celebration program is scheduled to begin.
Chas Cartwright, who started work just last week as Glacier's new superintendent, will be the master of ceremonies.
Speakers will include Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer; National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director Mike Snyder; John Baxter, the associate administrator for the Federal Lands Highway Program; Blackfeet Tribal Chairman Earl Old Person; James Steele Jr., chairman of the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes; and Bill Dakin, a former Sun Road crew foreman.
Also on hand will be Blackfeet and Salish-Kootenai drummers and the Blackfeet Veterans Color Guard. Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester are tentatively scheduled to attend, along with former Glacier Superintendents Mick Holm and Dave Mihalic.
"I think there will be a lot of [Glacier] retirees that will be joining us as well," Vanderbilt said.
The long-term forecast "looks solid" for nice weather, Vanderbilt said, but if there is rain, the celebration program will be moved indoors to the Lake McDonald Lodge Auditorium.
The afternoon events are scheduled to end at around 3:30 p.m., with shuttle buses providing transportation back to the Apgar Transit Center.
Beyond official ceremonies on Friday marking the anniversary of Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Glacier National Park Fund, Glacier Association and other vendors and organizations plan a host of activities:
. The Glacier Association will host an open house at the Belton Depot from noon to 5 p.m. along with a display of photos pertaining to Going-to-the-Sun Road construction and oral histories from former road crew members. There will be book signings by Sumio Harada, Carol Guthrie and Don Jones. Food and beverages will be served. For more information, contact Wendy Hill at 406-888-5756 or e-mail whill@glacierassociation.org.
. Glacier Outdoor Center in West Glacier will host a barbecue and serve birthday cake from noon to 5 p.m. Barbecue tickets are $5 per person. Guests will also hear oral histories about Going-to-the-Sun Road. Call Sally Thompson at 888-5454 or e-mail sally@glacierraftcom.com.
. Local wood carving artist Jim Jensen will carve and share stories of growing up in Apgar and his father's work on the road crew that built Going-to-the-Sun Road, at the Montana House from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Monica Jungster at 406-888-5393.
. Festivities are planned from noon to 7 p.m. at St. Mary Lodge and Resort featuring American Indian activities, displays and ceremonies, along with American Indian oral histories and local artists. Free food samplings of American Indian dishes and refreshments will be served. For more information, call John Motley at 871-5750 or visit www.stmarylodgeandresort.com
. An Ode to the Road Poetry Contest will be at Belton Chalet from 7 to 10 p.m. The poetry contest will reflect the unique and historic character of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Music from the Belton Boys will be provided. For more information, contact Brigid Fray at 888-5000 ext. 12 or e-mail events@beltonchalet.com.
. At 8:30 p.m. the National Park Service will present Jack Gladstone at the Lake McDonald Lodge Auditorium. The proceeds from ticket sales for this event will benefit Native America Speaks.
Other activities that will be available in Glacier Park include boat tours with the Glacier Park Boat Co. Length of the ride and cost vary by location. Call Denise VanArtsdale at 257-2426 or e-mail info@glacierparkboats.com.
Swan Mountain Outfitters also offers horseback rides with interpretation focusing on Going-to-the-Sun Road, at Apgar, Lake McDonald and Many Glacier. Call Aubrie Tabor at 387-4405.
For more information and a complete schedule of the day's events, go to www.glacierassociation.org.
Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com