The second weekend of August, people from near and far have been gathering for a great time at the Huckleberry Festival in the little town of Trout Creek for over 25 years.
The very first festival was held along the highway, as a group of artists sold their creations to benefit the medical needs of a little girl in the community. Vendors of fresh-picked huckleberries, who would often sell their wares along the roadway as people ventured through the town, joined in. The Huckleberry Festival has continued, always family-oriented and full of wholesome fun.
What’s all the fuss about huckleberries, the wild purple berry that grows at the highest elevations in western Montana? The berry’s taste is like no other. At the Huckleberry Festival, the fruit can be found at the best breakfasts around—put on both Saturday and Sunday mornings by the town’s volunteer firemen.
Huckleberries can also be found in the Trout Creek Community Park—amongst over 100 arts and crafts booths—in many other forms— ice cream, “huckleberry pizza,” in cooler drinks, atop cheesecake, and even atop Polish Dogs. They’re also available for purchase, freshly frozen. Sunday afternoons, the best bakers, children, and adults, vie for honors in the Huckleberry Dessert Contest. Samples are available afterward.
Montana’s Legislature proclaimed Trout Creek as “Huckleberry Capital of Montana.”
Amidst the arts and crafts, and a lot of tasty food at booths manned by community groups and organizations, the Huckleberry Festival features entertainment throughout the weekend on the park stage. Friday night, a pageant is held, the winner chose to reign as Miss Huckleberry. Saturday morning activities include a Run for Fun and parade. An auction allows people to “bid big on big and small” to benefit the festival. Children’s activities are presented in a big way. A horseshoe contest; interfaith worship service; and dancing under the stars to such musical groups as Rob Quist and Great Northern, round out some of the activities.
The Huckleberry Festival is still a place where the community comes together, families and friends reunite, and those who discover its charms, come back year after year. To request a brochure, call 406-827-3331, or write P.O. Box 1447, Trout Creek, MT 59874.
