The BobFest celebrates wilderness stewardship

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is hosting its annual year-end celebration and fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 10 from 6-9 p.m. at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Expo Building.

The event, previously known as Voices of the Wilderness, will feature live music, dinner, drinks, plus silent and live auctions to raise funds for the foundation’s trail maintenance and education programs in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

The BobFest will also feature some special four-legged guests: a few of the mules who carry in gear and supplies for the foundation’s volunteer crews will be out front for guests to meet. There will be many wrapping demonstrations and competitions, as well as a crosscut saw competition for the chance to win prizes. Local outdoor company RightOnTrek will have samples of their backpacking meals, and there will be a kid’s corner filled with activities and games for the younger generation of wilderness lovers.

Door tickets include dinner and dessert. Chef Chris DiMaio of Montana Craft Kitchen will be serving a baked potato and chili bar with all the fixings, with dessert by Ceres Bakery. Sacred Waters Brewing Company is providing the beers for the no-host bar. 

The silent and live auctions will feature an array of items: art, outdoor gear, wilderness adventures and getaways, and local handcrafted goods. All proceeds raised from the evening will support the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation’s work to open trails, restore habitat, and provide wilderness education next summer in the 1.5-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Tickets are $40 for adults; children aged 10 and under are free. Learn more and get tickets at bmwf.org/bobfest