Heritage Days celebrates Columbia Falls' history

Columbia Falls' annual Heritage Days is a celebration of the town's history. This year's festivities will take place this Wednesday through Sunday.

Events will kick off Wednesday with the 12th annual car show from 5 to 9 p.m. at Marantette Park.

On Thursday, the Community Market will be open for business from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Coop, 830 First Ave. W., west of Glacier Bank. Families can enjoy free swimming at the Pinewood Park pool from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. for adults and kids up to 12 years old, and from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. for adults and kids 13 and older.

On Friday, the Wildcat/Kat Athletic Endowment auction and barbecue will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Coop. The cost is $5 per plate. Raffles will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the live auction will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a beer garden social from 8:30 to 11 p.m. The Lions' Club concert will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at Marantette Park.

Both Friday and Saturday, an open rodeo will begin at 7 p.m. at the Blue Moon Arena at the northeast corner of U.S. 2 and Montana 40, just behind the Blue Moon Nite Club.

Heritage Days will be in full swing on Saturday. Here's the rundown of events:

• 7 a.m. — Firemen's breakfast at Don Anderson Fire Hall, 624 First Ave. W.
• 8 a.m. — Boogie-to-the-Bank 5K and 10K runs; North Fork to Discovery Square. Contact Ashley Campbell at 406-751-4758 for more information.
• 10 a. m. — Class reunions meet to participate in the parade.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — North Valley Senior Center fundraiser luncheon with salads, sandwiches, pies and beverages, 205 Nucleus Ave.
• 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Arts, crafts, food vendors and kids' activities at Marantette Park.
• 11 a.m. to noon — North Valley High Steppers line-dancing demonstration.
• Noon — Main parade on Nucleus Avenue, from Railroad Street to Seventh Street West. Participants will stage along Railroad Street at the north end of Nucleus Avenue at 11 a.m.
• 1:30 p.m. — Freedom Bank's Wild Horse Drive on U.S. 2, from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon.
• 6 p.m. to midnight — Columbia Falls High School Class of 1981 40th reunion at the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 4081.

On Sunday, the 20th annual WAEA Wildcat/Kat Athletic Endowment Golf Scramble will have a shotgun start at 8 a.m. at the Meadow Lake Golf Course in Columbia Falls.