Crowds expected at weekend events

It's been said before that it's impossible to be bored in the Flathead Valley. This weekend is no exception.

Between Arts in the Park, The Event at Rebecca Farm, Glacier Rally in the Rockies and Heritage Days, plus a regional swim meet in Columbia Falls, this summer weekend will draw thousands of people to the valley.

The Event "is a pretty big impact," said Rebecca Broussard, who with her husband, Jerome, own Rebecca Farm, which is hosting the eighth annual equestrian triathlon and qualifier for the World Cup.

"We have 465 horses [competing] and every horse brings with it three to five people. They're buying food, gas, horse feed. It's a huge bunch of people who spend a lot of money."

Broussard said that judges and competitors - including Olympians Amy Tryon and Gina Miles - have booked at least 60 hotel rooms and 30 rental cars. Additionally, each year there are always repairs made on vehicles and trailers, veterinarians and farriers called in, golf carts rented.

The trade fair at the Event, which will feature mostly equestrian supplies, will have 40 vendors. There will be more than 300 people volunteering at The Event and Broussard expects a spectator crowd of 15,000.

IN COLUMBIA FALLS, hundreds of swimmers will converge on Pinewood Park for a regional swim meet. And the expected crowd lining Nucleus Avenue for the Heritage Days parade Saturday is more than 500.

"There will be plenty of fun to go around," said Shirley Reynolds, a Heritage Days committee member. "We don't have all that many hotels and motels, so [people] will migrate over to Whitefish and Kalispell."

Reynolds said there will be 30 to 40 vendors at the centennial celebration and 15 food vendors. Sports teams will do fundraising.

"We do it to celebrate Columbia Falls," she said. "It's a reason for the community to come together. A plus is that a lot of the class reunions take place and that brings in a lot of spenders."

Reynolds will be attending her 50th class reunion.

LUCY SMITH, the executive director of the Hockaday Museum of Art, is confident that the 41st annual Arts in the Park is going to be a success.

This year there will be 110 booths at the juried show in Depot Park.

"This is something our vendors are very anxious to be a part of," Smith said. "We had a waiting list and we filled the booths right away."

Smith said that artists are given a list of hotels and restaurants in the area. She also noted that many people who attend the art show might label themselves as cultural tourists, eager to experience local sights and foods.

Thousands of people are expected to attend Arts in the Park.

"It's great for the rest of downtown, for hotels, restaurants and retailers."

Glacier Rally in the Rockies, a vintage car and motorcycle parade, will be Saturday morning in downtown Kalispell.

Reporter K.J. Hascall may be reached at 758-4439 or by e-mail at kjhascall@dailyinterlake.com

Plenty of fun ahead

n The Event at Rebecca Farm: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Sunday. Events include dressage, cross country and show jumping. Admission is free.

n Heritage Days: Today through Sunday, Columbia Falls. Events include rodeos Friday and Saturday, parade, craft fair and golf scramble.

n Glacier Rally in the Rockies: Saturday - Auto and motorcycle parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street in Kalispell followed by a show and shine on First Avenue West.

n Arts in the Park: Friday through Sunday, Kalispell. Featuring 110 booths, live entertainment and food. Admission is $3 daily or $5 for a weekend pass.