The Annual Snack Drive for Boys & Girls Clubs of Glacier Country is running from May 22nd to June 2nd, 2023.

Freedom Bank is accepting non-perishable donated snacks and juice boxes for the children of Boys & Girls Clubs of Glacier Country. Boys & Girls Clubs serve many school-aged children. They work with children after school during the school year. They also work with children during the summer all day. Snacks are always a wonderful way to fuel children so they can continue to learn.
Sizes of items do not have to be individual small sizes; large or bulk sizes are acceptable also.

All types of snacks are welcome. Here is a list to inspire (but not limit) your generosity:

• Crackers/Goldfish
• Fruit Cups
• Pudding and/or Jello Cups
• Pretzels
• Cookies
• Trail Mix
• Juice Boxes

Snack donations are being collected in the lobby of Freedom Bank at 930 9TH ST W in Columbia Falls.

Please contact the Bank with any questions by calling 406-892-1776 and asking for Amy.

The community celebration began in 1956 to mark the prosperity brought about by industrial expansion, which included the railroad, lumber business, and the Anaconda Aluminum Company.

Freedom Bank is honored to be a part of Columbia Falls’ growth over the past 17 years. Just like many of our customers, Freedom Bank is a small local business. To participate in this community and to be able to support and watch it grow has been inspiring.

Freedom Bank is a main sponsor of the Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena, a team and prize sponsor for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and a sponsor of the Columbia Falls Community Market at the Coop.

Heritage Days is an adventure and celebration for the whole family. Take a look at the complete schedule below or visit the official website here: http://cfallsheritagedays.com/index.html

Wednesday – July 27, 2022

• 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – 13th Annual Car Show at Marantette Park.

Thursday – July 28, 2022

• 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Columbia Falls Community Market at the Coop
• FREE Open Swimming at Pinewood Park Pool.
  • 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Adults and kids to 12 years old
  • 8:15 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Adults and kids 13+ years old

Friday – July 29, 2022

• 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment
• 5:30 p.m. – Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment Auction and BBQ
  Marantette Park in Columbia Falls.
  •  5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. BBQ and Social Hour. $5.00 per plate
  • 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Raffles
  • 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Live Auction
  • 8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Beer Garden
• 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Lion’s Club Concert at Marantette Park.
• 7:00 p.m. – Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena northeast corner of Hwy. 2 and 40, just behind the Blue Moon Bar & Grille

Saturday – July 30, 2022

• 7:00 a.m. – Firemen’s Breakfast at Don Anderson Fire Hall, 624 1st Ave. West.
• 8:00 a.m. – Boogie-to-the-Bank 5k & 10k Run. North Fork to Discovery Square . Contact Ashley Campbell at 406-751-4758 for more information.
• 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Arts, Crafts, Food Vendors and activities for the kids at Marantette Park.
• 10:00 a.m. – Class Reunions meet to participate in parade. (See your Class contact person for more info.)
• 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – North Valley Senior Center Fund Raiser Luncheon.
  (salads, sandwiches, pies and beverages)
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. enjoy the North Valley High Steppers line dancing demonstration
  For more information call the Center at 406-892-4087. The Center is located at 205 Nucleus Avenue.
• 12:00 p.m. – Main Parade on Nucleus Avenue (Railroad Street to 7th Street West). Parade participants will stage along Railroad Street at the north end of Nucleus Ave. at 11:00 a.m.
• 7:00 p.m. – Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena northeast corner of Hwy. 2 and 40, just behind the Blue Moon Grille

Sunday – July 31, 2022

• 7:00 a.m. – 20th Annual WAEA Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment Golf Scramble  – Meadow Lake Golf Course – Columbia Falls, Mont.
  Pre-registration and payment is highly encouraged due to limited teams.
  • Format: 4 person scramble – all skill levels invited
  • Start: 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start
  • Rules: USGA rules govern play
  • Tees: Men play the WHITE tees, Women play the RED tees
  • Field: Number of teams are limited to 36 with a max. of 4 players per team
  • Handicaps: Callaway System
  • Cost: $100.00 per player for 18 holes of golf, lunch and hole prizes. Register by July 20, 2022 with the Meadow Lake Pro Shop (406)892-2111
• 9:00 a.m. –  12:00 p.m. Saturday Market Columbia Falls  – in front of City Hall on 6th Street West – Columbia Falls, Mont.                                                          The music will be playing, yummy food, handcrafted vendors, come and enjoy this ‘old timey’ farmers market.

Businesses in the Flathead Valley are seeing increasing attempts of bank fraud, phishing attacks, and ransomware. We see it at the bank, and we hear about it from our friends and neighbors. Freedom Bank is hosting a Cybercrime Awareness Session to help small businesses learn the common tactics scammers and hackers are using, as well as actionable advice to protect their business and their bank accounts.

Cybercrime Awareness Session for Small Businesses
Tuesday, July 26th
5:30-7:30 PM
Freedom Bank Community Room

Overview: This session will help small businesses understand the risks in today’s banking environment and assess their business’s exposure to risk due to transaction activity and use of technology. Businesses will get practical advice to make improvements in their protection against cybersecurity risks such as email account takeover and phishing.

Agenda:

• 5:30-6:00 – Beer/Wine and Appetizers available
• 6:00-6:15 – Bank Fraud Risks for Small Businesses
• 6:15-7:00 – Steps to Improve Your Business’s Cybercrime Resilience
• 7:00-7:30 – Q&A, Discussion

Cosponsored by

Freedom Bank is collecting donated non-perishable, packaged treats and snacks for the children of Boys & Girls Clubs of Glacier Country.

Boys & Girls Clubs serve many school aged children in our community. The organizations works with children after school during the school year and all day during the summer. Snacks are a wonderful way to help fuel children so they can continue to learn.

Sizes do not have to be individual small sizes; large or bulk sizes are accepted!

Some ideal items, but not limited to, are:

• Dry Cereal
• Cookies
• Fruit Cups
• Pudding Cups
• Jell-O Cups
• Pretzels
• Trail Mix
• Fruit Snacks
• Crackers
• Goldfish Crackers

Please drop off donations to Freedom Bank at 530 9th Street West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. If you have any questions, contact us at 406-892-1776.

The community celebration began in 1956 to mark the prosperity brought about by industrial expansion, which included the railroad, lumber business, and the Anaconda Aluminum Company.

Freedom Bank is honored to be a part of Columbia Falls’ growth over the past 16 years. Just like many of our customers, Freedom Bank is a small local business. To participate in this community and to be able to support and watch it grow has been inspiring.

Look for Freedom Bank in the parade down Nucleus Avenue on Saturday, July 24th at 12:00 pm. After the parade, roughly at 1:30 pm, Freedom Bank sponsors a Wild Horse Drive down Highway 2 from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon. We are also a main sponsor of the Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena, a team and prize sponsor for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and a sponsor of the Columbia Falls Community Market at the Coop.

Heritage Days is an adventure and celebration for the whole family. Take a look at the complete schedule below or visit the official website here: http://cfallsheritagedays.com/index.html

Wednesday – July 21, 2021

• 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – 12th Annual Car Show at Marantette Park.

Thursday – July 22, 2021

• 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Columbia Falls Community Market at the Coop
• FREE Open Swimming at Pinewood Park Pool.
  • 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Adults and kids to 12 years old
  • 8:15 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Adults and kids 13+ years old

Friday – July 23, 2021

• 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment
• 5:30 p.m. – Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment Auction and BBQ
  Marantette Park in Columbia Falls.
  •  5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. BBQ and Social Hour. $5.00 per plate
  • 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Raffles
  • 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Live Auction
  • 8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Beer Garden
• 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Lion’s Club Concert at Marantette Park.
• 7:00 p.m. – Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena northeast corner of Hwy. 2 and 40, just behind the Blue Moon Bar & Grille

Saturday – July 24, 2021

• 7:00 a.m. – Firemen’s Breakfast at Don Anderson Fire Hall, 624 1st Ave. West.
• 8:00 a.m. – Boogie-to-the-Bank 5k & 10k Run. North Fork to Discovery Square . Contact Ashley Campbell at 406-751-4758 for more information.
• 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Arts, Crafts, Food Vendors and activities for the kids at Marantette Park.
• 10:00 a.m. – Class Reunions meet to participate in parade. (See your Class contact person for more info.)
• 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – North Valley Senior Center Fund Raiser Luncheon.
  (salads, sandwiches, pies and beverages)
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. enjoy the North Valley High Steppers line dancing demonstration
  For more information call the Center at 406-892-4087. The Center is located at 205 Nucleus Avenue.
• 12:00 p.m. – Main Parade on Nucleus Avenue (Railroad Street to 7th Street West). Parade participants will stage along Railroad Street at the north end of Nucleus Ave. at 11:00 a.m.
• 1:30 p.m. – Freedom Bank’s Wild Horse Drive on Hwy. 2 from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon.
• 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. – CFHS Class of 1981 40th Reunion – at Eagles 4081 Columbia Falls
• 7:00 p.m. – Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena northeast corner of Hwy. 2 and 40, just behind the Blue Moon Grille

Sunday – July 25, 2021

• 7:00 a.m. – 20th Annual WAEA Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment Golf Scramble  – Meadow Lake Golf Course – Columbia Falls, Mont.
  Pre-registration and payment is highly encouraged due to limited teams.
  • Format: 4 person scramble – all skill levels invited
  • Start: 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start
  • Rules: USGA rules govern play
  • Tees: Men play the WHITE tees, Women play the RED tees
  • Field: Number of teams are limited to 36 with a max. of 4 players per team
  • Handicaps: Callaway System
  • Cost: $100.00 per player for 18 holes of golf, lunch and hole prizes. Register by July 14, 2021 with the Meadow Lake Pro Shop (406)892-2111

The first recipient of the Freedom Bank Hometown Hero Award is Kelly Hamilton.

Kelly Hamilton works fulltime for Weyerhaeuser and is a ‘twisted tails’ member of the Columbia Falls Lions Club. She graduated from Columbia Falls High School and currently lives in Columbia Falls. Kelly is very active serving the community and Flathead Valley. She is involved in numerous nonprofit programs. Recently she ran the largest Toys for Tots drive this past Christmas. With more kids in need due to COVID, she exceeded the goal for the drive and did it with more volunteers than in the past. “The volunteers came out of the woodwork to help,” she stated. She has been volunteering all of her life and is well known in the Valley for her services over the years. Some of the nonprofit programs she has been involved with are Fire Relief, Gap Fillers, Canyon Kids, the local Food Bank, and the Lions Club. The next time you see her helping our community, tell her thanks for everything she is doing.

Each winner of the Hometown Hero award selects a nonprofit to receive $500 on their behalf. Kelly has selected the Lions Club, specifically their Backpack Program to receive the prize money. If you would like to contribute to the cause, please contact the Lions Club for more information. You can read more about Kelly in the March 10th issue of the Hungry Horse News.

Congratulations Kelly!

The Hometown Hero award will continue running through January 2022. If you know of someone that is going out of their way, above and beyond expectations, cultivating our community and making a positive impact, please nominate them for the Hometown Hero Award. Each nomination is a true testament of the beauty in our community and demonstrates the impact individuals have on our families, friends, and neighborhoods. If the individual you nominated did not win this month, we encourage you to nominate them again!

Click here to learn more about the Hometown Hero project.

2019
NIGHT OF LIGHTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6th

CRAFT FAIR STARTS 4:00 PM

LOCATED IN THE NORTH VALLEY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER & TEAKETTLE ROOM

PARADE STARTS 6:30 PM

AWARDS FOR FLOATS; FLOAT ENTRY $10 OR FOOD ITEM FOR FOOD BANK

HEAT UP AT THE COOP AFTER THE PARADE
VISIT WITH SANTA AND WARM UP WITH A BON FIRE, HOT COCOA, CHILI &
A LIVE HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH HOLIDAY DESSERTS, CFHS CHORAL SONIFERS AND COLUMBIANS!

SATURDAY, DEC. 7TH 9:30 AM
BRUNCH WITH SANTA: TIMBERCREEK VILLAGE
MEADOWLAKE DR.

The Columbia Falls Heritage Days celebration dates back to 1956 when it was originally called “Progress Days”. The original event was organized to celebrate the prosperity brought about by the industrial expansion of the area. Decades later, Columbia Falls still enthusiastically celebrates our history, our heritage, and our future. This year’s theme is “There’s No Place Like Home”.

Look for Freedom Bank in the parade down Nucleus Avenue on Saturday, July 27th at 12:00 pm. After the parade, roughly at 1:30 pm, Freedom Bank sponsors a wild horse drive down Highway 2 from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon. We are also a main sponsor of the Open Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena, a team and prize sponsor for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and a sponsor of the Columbia Falls Community Market at the Coop.

Heritage Days is an adventure and celebration for the whole family. Take a look at the complete schedule below or visit the official website here: http://cfallsheritagedays.com/index.html

Wednesday – July 24, 2019

• 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm – 10th Annual Car Show
  • Location: Marantette Park
• 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm – The American Legion Freedom Post 72 will be preparing food for the Car Show.
  • Location: Marantette Park
  • A nominal fee/donation will be requested to cover the costs of the food.

Thursday – July 25, 2019

• 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Community Market
  • Location:  The Coop – 830 1st Ave. West
• 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm – FREE Open Swimming
  • Location: Pinewood Park Pool.
  • 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm – Adults and kids to 12 years old
  • 8:15 pm – 9:30 pm – Adults and kids 13+ years old
• 7:00 pm – Lion’s Club Concert
  • Location: Marantette Park

Friday – July 26, 2019

• 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm – Wildcat/kat Athletic Endowment Auction and BBQ
  • Location:  The Coop – 830 1st Ave. West
  • 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – BBQ and Social Hour. $10.00 per plate
  • 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Silent Auction
  • 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Live Auction
  • 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm Social/Cash Bar and Dancing with Music on The Move
• 7:00 pm – Open Rodeo
  • Location: Blue Moon Arena northeast corner of Hwy. 2 and 40, just behind the Blue Moon Bar & Grille

Saturday – July 27, 2019

• 7:00 am – Firemen’s Breakfast
  • Location: Don Anderson Fire Hall, 624 1st Ave. West
• 7:30 am – early check-in for Heritage Days 3 on 3 basketball tournament
  • Location: Berube Physical Therapy
  • Teams will consist of boys and girls, grades 5-6, grades 7-8 and grades 9-12 and Men’s Open.
  • Registration forms may be picked up at the Columbia Falls Chamber Office, Berube Physical Therapy, Glacier Bank and Whitefish Credit Union. Completed forms must be turned in by July 22nd to any of the above locations. Contact Laura Gadwa at 892-2072 with any questions. Cost per team is $80.
• 8:00 am – Boogie-to-the-Bank 5k & 10k Run
  • Location: North Fork to Discovery Square
  • Contact Ashley Campbell at 406-751-4758 for more information.
• 9:00 am – JIM’S Rat Race
  • Location: A short race from Whitefish Credit Union down to the Boogie to the Bank finish line.
  • The race will start after the last runner is finished with Boogie. Open to children ages 4-13. Contact Ashley Campbell at 406-751-4758 for more information.
• 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Arts, Crafts, Food Vendors, and Activities for the Kids
  • Location: Marantette Park
  • **Note: Food Vendors have the option to set up by the 3 on 3 basketball tournament and then move to Marantette Park.
• 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – North Valley Senior Center Fundraiser Luncheon
  • Location: North Valley Senior Center at 205 Nucleus Avenue
  • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – North Valley High Steppers line dancing entertainment.
  • For more information call the Center at 406-892-4087.
• 12:00 pm – Main Parade
  • Location: Nucleus Avenue (Railroad Street to 7th Street West)
  • Parade participants will stage along Railroad Street at the north end of Nucleus Ave. at 11:00 am.
• 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Family Fun Day
  • Location: Glacier Bank parking lot
• 1:30 pm – Freedom Bank’s Wild Horse Drive on Hwy. 2
  • Location: Along Highway 2 from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon.
  • **Note: Wild horses can be unpredictable and don’t always follow a strict schedule.
• 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm – Falls Fest Fundraiser by the Rotary Club, with music by the “Barn Yard Riot”
  • Location: Marantette Park
• 7:00 pm – Open Rodeo
  • Location: Blue Moon Arena northeast corner of Hwy. 2 and 40, just behind the Blue Moon Bar & Grille
• 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm – Falls Fest Fundraiser by the Rotary Club, with music by “The Brothers”
  • Location: Marantette Park

Cabin Fever Days 2018

Schedule of Events

Friday – February 9, 2018

• 7:00 PM – Mixed Doubles Pool – Southfork
  • Dart Tournament – Stonefly
• 8:30 PM – Marshall Catch – Packers
• 9:00 PM – Badger Hound – Stonefly

Saturday – February 10, 2018

• 10:00 AM – Biscuits & Gravy – Packers
• 1:00 PM – Barstool Ski Races – Sugar Hill
• 1:00 – 3:00 PM – Moonshine Mountain – Stonefly
  • Arm wrestling Weigh-Ins – Stonefly
• 1:00 – 4:00 PM – Killer Pool Tournament – Dam Town
• 2:00 PM – Hog Roast – Packers
• 3:00 PM – Shuffleboard Tourney – Southfork
  • Snowshoe Softball – Ball field
  • Mountain Man Competition – Packers
• 4:00 PM – Craig Barton – Southfork
• 4:00 – 7:30 PM – Arm wrestling Tourney – Stonefly
• 5:00 PM – Larry Myer – Packers
• 6:00 PM – Flathead V-8s – Deerlick
  • Dirty Old Men – Southfork
• 8:00 PM – Pedacter Project – Stonefly
• 8:30 PM – Comatose Posse – Packers
• 11:30 PM Chach & Triple T – Stonefly

Sunday – February 11, 2018

• 10:00 AM – Biscuits & Gravy – Packers
• 11:00 – 2:00 PM – Hangover Cures – Stonefly
  • Free Soup – Deerlick
• 1:00 PM – Barstool Ski Races – Sugar Hill
• 1:00 – 3:00 PM – Moonshine Mountain – Stonefly
• 2:00 PM – Hog Roast – Packers
  • Craig Barton – Southfork
  • Sonny King – Deerlick
• 2:00 – 3:00 PM – Roshambo Sign Ups – Stonefly
• 3:00 PM – Barstool Race Final – Sugar Hill
  • Mountain Man Competition – Packers
• 3:00 – 5:00 PM – Roshambo Tournament – Stonelfy
• 4:00 PM – Lary Myer – Packers
  • Dirty Old Men – Southfork
• 5:00 PM – Mountain Man Finals – Packers

7:00 PM – 40th Annual Barstool Race Awards @ Southfork Saloon

2017
NIGHT OF LIGHTS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1st

PARADE STARTS 6:30 PM

AWARDS FOR FLOATS; FLOAT ENTRY $10 OR FOOD ITEM FOR FOOD BANK
CRAFT FAIR IN THE NORTH VALLEY TEAKETTLE ROOM

HEAT UP AT THE COOP AFTER THE PARADE
VISIT WITH SANTA AND WARM UP WITH A BON FIRE, HOT COCOA, CHILI &
A LIVE HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH CFHS CHORAL SONIFERS,
JAZZ BANK & HOLIDAY SINGALONG!

SATURDAY, DEC. 2nd 10 AM
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: TIMBER CREEK VILLAGE
MEADOWLAKE DR.