Weekend update
Making Montana event
Making Montana is a two-day, family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness this weekend at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building. Find out more at kalispell.makerfaire.com/about/expo/
- Manufacturing Technology Expo — Meet local manufacturers offering hands-on experiences designed to spark curiosity and demonstrate what manufacturing is really about. Today, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Kalispell Mini Maker Faire — Dive into the world of Making and see how tinkering can build 21st century skills. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Snack Program fundraiser
The Flathead School Snack Program hosts an event today featuring world-renowned Wai Mizutani and Friends in Conference Hall 139 of the Arts and Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for a silent auction and light fare preceding the concert at 7 p.m.
The Flathead School Snack Program serves over 250 students in eight schools in the Kalispell area and over 200 in Columbia Falls. For further information, contact Lily Kirsanow 619-708-1099.
Cross-country race
The Glacier Nordic Club has its annual classic ski race Saturday at the Glacier Nordic Center at the Whitefish Lake Golf Course.
There will be 1K, 4K and 12K races starting at 9 a.m.
Costumes and citizen skiers are encouraged, as well as competitive skiers.
Entry fees are free for the 1K, $10 for the 4K, and $15 for the 12K. The event supports the Glacier Nordic Ski Team, which has over 225 youth in its programs. For more information or to register, visit glaciernordiclcub.com or call 862-9498.
Cheerleading camp
Flathead High School cheerleaders host a cheerleading camp Saturday at the Rankin Elementary gym in Kalispell.
Participants will learn cheers, chants, jumps and basic stunts, and then perform at half time during a varsity basketball game at the high school.
For more information, call 758-7717 or email mfreidline@kalispell.com
Carnival fundraiser
Wahlela Lodge Ashley Lake Lodge hosts a fun run and winter carnival fundraiser starting at 11 a.m. Saturday at 550 N. Ashley Lake Road.
There will be sleigh rides, lake ice skating, luge, campfire, food, prizes and more.
The cost is $35 per family with proceeds benefiting a medical center in Africa.
Evergreen pancake social
Evergreen Fire Department invites the community to a pancake social from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Enjoy free pancakes, orange juice, coffee and tours while having your questions answered about the proposed mill levy.
The station is located at 2236 U.S. 2 E.
Educational hike
Join Whitefish Legacy Partners for a free family-friendly education hike from 10 a.m. to noon on the Whitefish Trail to observe and learn to identify wildlife tracks in the snow.
Meet at Lion Mountain Trailhead at 10 a.m. The hike is free and open to the public, suitable to all ages and will be 2 to 3 miles. The Lion Mountain Trails are typically well packed, though Yaktrax can be helpful.
Ranger-led hike
Take a 1.5 mile ranger-led sunset hike from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Flathead Lake State Park’s Wayfarers Unit.
This will be a beginner level snowshoe hike. Snowshoes will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost is $4 per person or $10 per family, and snowshoes are included.
Flathead Lake State Park Wayfarers Unit is located at 8600 Montana 35, Bigfork. Meet at the ranger station.
For more information and to register, call the Flathead Lake Ranger Station at 837-3041.
Elk Foundation banquet
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation hosts the 34th annual Flathead Valley Chapter fundraiser banquet and auction Saturday in the Trade Center at Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell.
A cocktail social is at 4:30 p.m. with a prime rib dinner served at 7 p.m., followed by a live auction for firearms, world-class wildlife art, unique collectibles, home furnishings and more.
Tickets are $70 per person, $105 per couple and $35 for youth age 17 years and under. Each single and couple ticket includes a yearly Foundation membership and a Bugle magazine subscription.
For ticket information and reservations, contact Kim Wold at 257-9110 or 406-261-4111 or email: sterling_kwold@yahoo.com or purchase at https://events.rmef.org/shop/flatheadvalley1
Parks and Rec dance
Kalispell Parks and Recreation hosts its annual Valentine’s Day Dance Saturday at the Linderman Education Center gym. Enjoy food, drinks, music with deejay Mike Hammer, games, prizes, sweets, a photo wall and more.
Guests will also have a chance to win one of four free adult lift passes to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. Doors open at 7 p.m. Entrance is $5 per person or $15 for a family of four.
This year’s theme is “Giving Love to Others.” Consider bringing some new or used youth clothing to donate to the HEART Locker, which supports students in need.
Eagles fundraiser
Kalispell Eagles Presidents’ charity fundraiser dinner begins at 5 p.m. Saturday. The menu features mock turtle soup, shrimp and andouille jambalaya, coleslaw, cornbread and king cake. The cost is $12 per person. All are welcome. Proceeds support Hope Family Resource Center and 406 Family Aid Foundation.
The Eagles is located at 37 First St. E.
Bird count
Montana State Parks celebrates the 21st annual Great Backyard Bird Count from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Lone Pine State Park near Kalispell.
The Bird Count is a free, fun and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) and report their sightings online at http://gbbc.birdcount.org/. Participants will learn the basics of birding, play games, and take part in activities to win prizes. There will be resources to help identify birds, where to look them up, and how to enter the data.
For more information, call the park visitor center at 755-2706, ext. 2.
Birding hike
Due to last week’s weather, the Flathead Audubon winter birding hike with naturalist Denny Olson has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
The field trip will not just identify birds but lots of natural history lore will be included.
Dress warmly, bring binoculars and snowshoes. Binoculars and field guides are available if you need them. Call Olson at 249-3987, or email auduboneducator@gmail.com to register and get directions.
Audubon field trip
The Flathead Audubon Society will hosts a field trip from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the Swan River area.
The group will visit local feeders to Identify and count wintering songbirds as part of a yearly nationwide Citizen Scientist project.
Families with children as well as bird lovers of all ages are welcome. Expect minimal walking to some viewing areas and short periods of standing. Dress warmly, bring binoculars and/or spotting scopes. Contact Kathy Ross for information and to sign up at 837-3837 or mtkat67@gmail.com.