Heritage Days offers full week of activities

The 2010 Heritage Days celebration in Columbia Falls is set for today to July 25. The annual event will complement Glacier National Park’s centennial.

• Today — Opening ceremonies commence at noon at Marantette Park with a “Salute to the Military,” featuring patriotic music and speakers. There will be vendors and games, and a barbecue available for $3 a plate.

• Tuesday, July 20 — Cool off at the Pinewood Park Pool. Everyone is invited to a free open swim from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for adults and kids up to 10 years of age; and from 8 to 10 p.m. for adults and kids 11 and older.

• Wednesday, July 21 — The inaugural Heritage Days Car Show is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Marantette Park. There will be vendors and games, and a barbecue for $3 a plate.

• Thursday, July 22 — Shop the farmers market at 5 p.m. at Glacier Discovery Square, then head to Marantette Park for the Lions Club Glacier Centennial Concert at 7 p.m., featuring the Rocky Mountain Rhythm Kings and the Flathead Valley Community Band.

• Friday, July 23 — The annual Wildcat barbecue and auction starts at 5 p.m. behind the Columbia Bar. At 7 p.m. the Cosley Collection, named after historical local citizen Joe Cosley, will be unveiled at 6:30 p.m., at Glacier Discovery Center. Check out the rendezvous camp at Whitefish Credit Union Park next, then head for the Blue Moon Arena for the first of two nights of NRA rodeo, starting at 7 p.m.

• Saturday, July 24 — Plan to start your day early with the firemen’s breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Don Anderson Fire Hall. The 3-on-3 basketball tourney is at 7:30 a.m. on First Avenue West; then Boogie to the Bank for the 5K and 10K runs at 8 a.m., from the North Fork to Discovery Center.

Performances by Celtic/world music group Four Shillings Short are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the gazebo in front of the Whitefish Credit Union.

Catch your breath and enjoy the Heritage Days parade at 11 a.m. on Nucleus Avenue; then Freedom Bank’s Wild Horse Drive trots down U.S. 2 at 1 p.m., from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon.

Other highlights of the day include vendors, live music and fun starting at 9 a.m. at Discovery Square, a Rendezvous Shoot at 3 p.m. on the North Fork Road, and the Larchwood Regatta at 4 p.m. on the Flathead River.

As evening comes around it’s time to swing at the barn dance at 7 p.m. at Marantette Park, or watch more great NRA rodeo at 7 p.m. at the Blue Moon Arena.

• Sunday, July 25 — The Wildcat Endowment Golf Tourney tees off at 9 a.m. at the West Glacier Golf Course (892-2231); and everyone is welcome to attend a community church service at 9:30 a.m. at Marantette Park.

For more information, call 892-0178 or 892-1233; or visit www.cfallsheritagedays.com.