The first signs of fall are emerging on the trail as we bid farewell to summer and welcome cooler days and the beautiful light of autumn. Dogbane is one of the first plants to change with their leaves turning bright yellow early, signaling that summer is once again passing by quickly.
Whitefish Legacy Partners has been working for years to find the right formula to ensure thriving forests, clean water and recreational access on lands surrounding Whitefish. Although a relatively new project, it builds upon the legacy that started many years ago by a great community which has created a ski mountain, public parks/beaches, a thriving farmers market, a solid business community, local theatre, updated schools, an aquatics/fitness center, the ice rink…and the list goes on and on.
Walking through the early fall forest reminds us of the fact that our children are the beneficiaries of all the hard work that has created this special community. It is gratifying to carry forward the task of continuing to build upon the great community in which we live.
Over 900 people attended the Whitefish Trail Hootenanny, despite unseasonably wet and cool weather, revealing broad community support for our work. As with finding the right formula for lands surrounding Whitefish, we have now found the right formula to celebrate the trail and build momentum at the annual WT Hootenanny. Family’s danced all night long, toddlers learned songs their parents grew up to, kids practiced bike skills and everyone enjoyed the celebratory event.
The Hootenanny was successful due to the support of many businesses that contributed financially, volunteers who contributed countless hours, and the local establishments and bands that agreed to work together to bring music to the park. Thank you to the community for coming out and showing your support and making this an event that the town will look forward to each year to celebrate not just the trail, but all aspects of this amazing community.
Although we are limited on space to thank everyone, we do want to acknowledge volunteers from First Interstate Bank, the Whitefish High School girls soccer team, Stumptown Art Studio, Flathead Fat Tires, and all of the individuals and families who donated their time.
Thank you to our event sponsors, Don K Subaru, Glacier Restaurant Group and First Interstate Bank. A big “yeehaw” goes out to the Great Northern Bar and Grill, Crush Lounge, and Craggy Range Bar and Grill for sponsoring the bands, and Great Northern Brewery for contributing beverages. Thank you to our raffle donors including Paddlefish Sports, Great Northern Cycles, and countless other businesses that give to many worthy events in this town.
A quick shout out to the Brewfest for partnering with us for the weekend and helping with the perimeter fence, Whitefish Ski Joring for lending us additional fencing, and Citizens for a Better Flathead for the recycling bins.
Even though summer days are waning, activity on the trail will be ramping up this fall. We have a lot more to celebrate with a guided mushroom ID hike on Sept. 21, a volunteer project on National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27th, the Whitefish Legacy Run on Sunday, Oct. 5th, and the grand opening of the Whitefish Interpretive Trail and Learning Pavilion later this fall. The seasons are changing…ON, the Whitefish Trail.