Northwest Montana Fair Parade canceled

The Northwest Montana Fair Parade, which runs through downtown Kalispell on the Friday of fair week, has been canceled due to concern for public safety as COVID-19 cases in Flathead County have been on the rise, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday.

“While the decision was not made lightly, the Northwest Montana Fair fully understands the challenges posed in trying to organize the parade this year. We encourage the participants to get their entry ideas ready for next year,” Mark Campbell, manager of the Flathead County fairgrounds, said in a press release from the Chamber.

The Kalispell Chamber and the Northwest Montana Fair, longtime partners in organizing the annual parade, said that putting the health and safety of parade entries, volunteers and spectators is the primary focus and, as the largest parade of the year, the fair parade cannot be executed with proper social distancing.

“The Fair Parade is a great event that showcases the hard work of our local 4-H and FFA students, along with our many local businesses and organizations in town that support the ag community,” said Joe Unterreiner, president of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. “While we can’t have a parade this year because of COVID-19, we hope everyone will support this year’s students virtually or in person during the annual Market Livestock Sale on the Saturday of the Fair.”

The Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo is still scheduled to take place Aug. 19-23 with special accommodations in place due to the ongoing pandemic.