WEEKEND UPDATE: Alvord Lake

A celebration of Alvord Lake begins at 10 a.m. today at Troy High School on 116 East Missoula Ave.

Flathead Audubon is sponsoring a field trip to Troy for the event. Those traveling with Audubon members depart at 7:45 this morning. Afterward, attendees will be shuttled from there to Alvord Lake’s Outdoor Classroom for an education/celebration event.

There will be some time to bird a portion of the three-mile lake loop trail. Lynn Kelly, Paul Rumelhart and Steve Gniadek lead this joint Flathead Audubon/Montana Loon Society field trip. Families and all ages are welcome.

Alvord Lake Community Forest is a 142-acre protected parcel on Alvord Lake about two miles north of Troy.

 For more information, call 892-7406 or email grayjaybro@yahoo.com; or 406-293-7544 or 406-293-1359 or email pwr@frontier.net. The field trip is free and all are welcome.

Craft show

Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead have their annual summer outdoor show this weekend on the Flathead County Courthouse lawn in Kalispell. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The work of local arts and crafts and food vendors will be showcased. Admission is free.

For more details, call 406-881-4288 (voice mail); or visit www.acfguide.com

Symphony Pops

Glacier Symphony’s annual Summer Symphony Pops concerts will be performed this weekend at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell.

The outdoor picnic/concerts will be held rain or shine today and Saturday.

“Misbehavin’ with the Symphony” will feature the Glacier Symphony pops orchestra conducted by John Zoltek with special guest Byron Stripling, who will pay tribute to Louis Armstrong with a performance of “What A Wonderful World” and many other popular classics. Joining Stripling will be his longtime drummer Robert Breithaupt, with Pete Hand on bass and Robert Nell on piano.

A car pass is $30 in advance or $40 at the gate. Reserved seats start at $150 for four people on low-backed lawn chairs or blankets. Reserved picnic tables are $400 for eight people and are available under large tents or close to the stage. No dogs, grills, high-back chairs or sun umbrellas will be allowed. Tickets are available at www.gscmusic.org or by calling 407-7000. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. concerts and patrons are encouraged to bring a picnic or buy food and libations from vendors on site.

Benefit auction

A benefit auction for Hank and Mary Olson to help with medical expenses will be held at 6 p.m. today at the Eagles Lounge, 37 First St. W., Kalispell.

There will be silent and live auctions and a pie auction, along with live music by Roy Wilhelm and the Ashley Creek Ramblers. Donations are welcome. Call Debbie, 406-212-4716; or Gayle, 406-471-6540.

Star Gazers

The Big Sky Astronomy Club presents Star Gazers Night at Lone Pine State Park from 9 p.m. tonight to 1 a.m. Saturday.

This program is geared for beginner sky watchers. The presentation starts at 9 p.m. with a PowerPoint presentation led by astronomy club member Mark Paulson. When the sky gets dark, the group will move outside where telescopes will be positioned to view celestial objects.

 The cost for the Montana State Parks-sponsored program is $4 per person.

The program is free for children 12 and under. For more information, call the park visitor center at 755-2706.

Lakeside Fair

The annual Lakeside Community Fair is Saturday at the Lakeside Elementary School.

The theme “Chair-ish our Community” and the fair will feature a live auction of locally crafted chairs at 1 p.m.

The day begins at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the Lakeside Community Chapel. A silent auction, Attic Treasures sale and bake sale gets under way at 9 a.m. There will also be craft and food vendors and a free Kids Zone.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. on U.S. 93.

A watermelon-eating contest follows the chair auction at 1:30 p.m. and the Duck Races begin at 4 p.m. at the Tamarack Brewery and Grill.

Visit www.lakesidecommunityclub.com or Facebook for more information.

Additionally, the West Shore Visitors Bureau is sponsoring a car show starting at 10 a.m. at 306 Stoner Loop in Lakeside. Registration is $10, is open to all years and vehicles and limited to the first 100 cars. Visitflatheadlake.com

Horse show

The Flathead Combined Training Association sponsors a Jump Derby Horse Show starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Herron Park near Kalispell.

Riders compete in arena and cross-country jumping and open and Western dressage. Spectators are welcome and there is no charge.

Bison burgers

The Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department sponsors its 66th annual bison burger barbecue from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. The fire hall is located on Montana 209.

The menu includes grilled bison burgers and hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, cake and huckleberry ice cream. There also will be live music, fire engine rides and a silent auction.

The cost is $12 for adults or $5 for children 10 and under.

Fitness boot camp

Dan Holquin Fitness is offering a free fitness boot camp at 10 a.m. every Saturday in July at Lawrence Park in Kalispell.

To sign up, visit danholguinfitness.com/free-on-saturday.

Guided hike

The Montana Wilderness Association is sponsoring a free guided hike Saturday in the Southern Cabinet Mountain.

This hike leaves options open such as lower lake fishing for rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout, a push up to the upper lakes with scenic views, or a scramble up to Lost Buck Pass with views of both the east and west Cabinets. The hike is about 8 miles round trip, with a 2,200 feet elevation gain.

Come prepared for a full day hike with plenty of water, fishing gear and lunch. Participants will meet at 8 a.m. at the Kootenai Forest Supervisor’s Office at 31374 U.S 2 W., in Libby. The hike is moderately strenuous, with a comfortable pace, and will wrap up around 5 p.m.

To register, go to wildmontana.org and go to Flathead-Kootenai Chapter Wilderness Walks and follow instructions, or call Brian at 406-291-2154. There are a few slots left for this trip.

Cat adoption

A KittyMOM’s rescued kitten and cat adoption event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Aquarium Shop, 1001 E. Idaho, Kalispell. Area shelters and rescue groups will have spay/neuters, vaccinated and litter-box trained felines for a small adoption fee. Bring your own carrier. Call 752-4460 for more information.

Cakes for Celts

The Cakes for Celts pancake breakfast takes place from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday at the Evergreen Moose Lodge at 2158 U.S. 2 E.

Guests will have their choice of all-you-can-eat pancakes for $6; with sausage for $8; or with bacon for $10. Proceeds benefit the upcoming Flathead Celtic Festival.