History of the Flathead Cherry Festival

The Flathead Valley is mainly associated with the crystal-clear lake, majestic mountains, and lush forests filled with thriving wildlife. However, rustic cherry orchards also make up the landscape, and the town of Polson holds a festival to celebrate the harvest every year. Check out our overview of Flathead Cherry Festival history to be ready to join in the fun this season:

A Surprising Paradise for Cherry Trees

Cherries were first introduced to the Flathead Valley in 1866 when Thomas W. Harris planted his trees in the Bitterroot Valley. Cultivation did not take off in that location, but by the late 1800s, growers discovered that the east shore of Flathead Lake was an ideal microclimate for cherry trees, and multiple families established orchards there as a result. Growers found that the east shore’s long, warm days combined with abundant sunshine and cool nights create optimal conditions for growing sweet cherries. The unique microclimate allows for a prolonged growing season, resulting in cherries with exceptional flavor and quality. Most of the cherries produced in the Flathead Valley are Lambert, Rainier, and Lapin sweet cherries.

The Great Northern Railroad created the Flathead’s first cherry processing plant in Kalispell and shipped out its first load of Lambert cherries in 1932. To serve the growing need for coordination among cherry farmers, the cooperative Flathead Lake Cherry Growers, Inc. was founded in 1935. 

The Start of the Flathead Cherry Festival

As the cherry industry blossomed, Flathead Valley residents began celebrating the harvest every July with a cheerful festival. Jackie Cripe, a proud Polson resident and owner of a shoe store downtown, saw the opportunity to show off Polson’s quaint charm and bring customers to downtown businesses by starting the Flathead Cherry Festival in 1999. Since then, the festival has evolved into one of Montana’s signature events with over 100 vendors each year and up to 8,000 attendees. 

What to Expect at the Flathead Cherry Festival

If you are around Flathead Lake on the last weekend of July, the Flathead Cherry Festival is a must for families, foodies, Flathead locals, and anyone who likes to have a good time. The residents and businesses of Polson go all out to celebrate the agricultural heritage of the Flathead Valley. Attendees can sample freshly baked cherry treats, cherry preserves, and mounds of fresh, ruby-red cherries.

Thanks to the festival’s collaboration with handMADE Montana, you will find endless vendor stalls showcasing products by local artisans. It’s the perfect place to pick up authentic clothing, jewelry, and food items, infused with the spirit of Montana. The Flathead Cherry Festival also offers fun games for kids and lively contests including a cherry pit spitting contest, a cherry pie eating contest, and a chalk art contest.

July is also a fabulous time to set sail on Flathead Lake thanks to the season’s warm, sunny weather and calm winds! Don’t miss the chance to take ASA sailing classes or a sailboat tour of Flathead Lake while you’re in town for the Flathead Cherry Festival.