4th Annual Ronan Area Harvest Fest inaugurates autumn early on September 15

RONAN — The 4th Annual Ronan Area Harvest Fest will be held on Saturday, September 15, at the Ronan Visitors Center on Highway 93 from 9 am to 3 pm. Sponsored by the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce, the event will include a Chili Cook-off, a Farmer’s Market, a Scarecrow and Straw Bale Decorating Contest and many kids’ activities, including Zucchini Races.

An Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Contest will also take place with pumpkins ranging from 200 to 1000+ lbs. being officially weighed. There are only two “official” pumpkin weighings in the state. Contact Emmet May at 250-5154 or on the web at greatpumpkincommonwealth.org (click on Montana). Attendees may guess the weight of the many locally grown, gigantic pumpkins. Judging will take place at 1 pm on a certified scale.

The Chili- Cook-off can begin as early as 6 am for setting up, and cooking must be completed by noon. Judging will begin at noon by a panel of local chili lovers. Tastings are open to the public for 25 cents per taster cup. Entry fee is $25 per team. Prizes are: 1st place is $100, 2nd Place is $50 and $25 for 3rd place. For more information, contact Brennin Grainey at 676-4600 or bgrainey@commbank.net.

Vendors for Farmers Market must be set up by 9 a.m. and the market is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a $20 fee per 10x10 block and no power is available in the vendors’ areas. Contact Roland Godan at 676- 5901 for information and registration forms.

Many kids’ activities will be available, including the Ronan Famous Zucchini Race. Prizes for Fastest Zucchini Racer and Best-Dressed Zucchini will be given out. Call Patti or Dennis Winter at 676-4925 for more information.

Prizes will be awarded for most creatively decorated scarecrows and straw bales in each division. Scarecrows must be set up at the Harvest Fest by 9 a.m., with judging at 11 a.m. Call Ronna Walchuk at 261-7579 or Ky Bartels at 253-8611 for more information and rules. Round bales will be delivered to your location. Call Ronna or Ky to schedule delivery.

Forms, rules and information for the Chili Cook-off,. Scarecrows, Straw Bales, Zucchini Races, and Farmers Market are available on-line at or can be picked up at the Polson First Interstate Bank, or at the local branches of Valley Bank and Community Bank. They are also available at the Lake County Community Development Corporation, Ronan Power Products and Ronan Flower Mill. For more information call Ronna Walchuk at 406-261-7579.

The 4th Annual Harvest Fest is produced by the gracious volunteers of the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the Chili Cook-off will help the Ronan Area Chamber continue to strive to strengthen, enhance, and serve the community and its citizens by providing service, forums for communication, and acting as a clearinghouse for information.