Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce

10/30/2026

They say you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. And while there will never be another Dolly Parton, apparently a couple of generously sized pumpkins, a cowgirl hat, and an industrial quantity of blonde hair and Aqua Net can get you surprisingly close.

Introducing Dolly Par"straw"n. With a hairstyle, courtesy of Wildflowers Salon, that could withstand a Category 4 hurricane, a glittering silver jumpsuit, and a figure that has the local pumpkin growers feeling particularly proud of this year's harvest, Dolly has never been one to worry about making a modest entrance.

As the real Dolly famously said, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”

And while nobody could ever fill Dolly Parton's boots, our Dolly has decided to give it a try. Armed with her pink guitar and enough sparkle to light up a small town, she's even putting together a tribute performance.

She had planned to open with 9 to 5, but decided those hours were entirely unreasonable for a woman who requires that much time in hair and makeup. Jolene was briefly considered, until she discovered Jolene had booked the last available hair appointment.

She's now rehearsing a duet of “Islands in the Hay” with Kenny Strawgers. He's reportedly having trouble keeping his eyes on the sheet music.

And perhaps that's the nicest way to remember a woman who gave the world so much music, laughter, and kindness is with a smile, a little sparkle, and absolutely no apologies for being larger than life.

Think Dolly Par"straw"n deserves your vote in Scarecrows of Bigfork? She's thinks she does and has two very compelling reasons to vote for her.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/zJsvQKd/scarecrowvoting

10/29/2026

Meet Pumpkin. While he's not quite the pampered little purse puppy one might expect with a name like that, he is the self-appointed downtown ambassador, part-time troublemaker, and a dog with a surprisingly detailed knowledge of Bigfork's public amenities.

Pumpkin has been making his rounds through downtown Bigfork for years. He knows which businesses keep treats behind the counter, which visitors are most likely to share their lunch, and exactly how long he can pretend not to hear someone calling his name.

Pumpkin's favorite stop is Bigfork Bay Gifts & Gear, where the good folks have thoughtfully placed a water bowl outside for four-legged visitors.

Pumpkin considers this excellent customer service.

He stops by regularly for a refreshing drink, a little people-watching, and an opportunity to inspect the merchandise through the window.

And he considers it especially convenient that there's a freshly painted fire hydrant right outside the door.

Pumpkin considers the hydrant a landmark. A gathering place. Possibly the most significant contribution to downtown Bigfork.

The fire department has declined to comment.

Pumpkin spends many an afternoon there greeting visitors, supervising sidewalk activity, and ensuring the hydrant remains clearly identified as his personal property.

So next time you're exploring downtown, stop by Bigfork Bay Gifts & Gear. There's plenty to discover inside, and if you've brought your dog along, there's fresh water waiting outside.

Pumpkin would appreciate it if you'd leave the hydrant to him.

Think Pumpkin deserves Best in Show? Vote for him in Scarecrows of Bigfork. He's already marked his territory.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/zJsvQKd/scarecrowvoting

10/28/2026

Meet Milburn Pumpkinbags, distant cousin of the legendary Rich Uncle Pennybags. The resemblance is uncanny. Top hat. Impressive mustache. A suspiciously large bag of cash. The monocle? Just like his famous cousin's. Or so everyone seems to remember.

Milburn has spent most of his adult life acquiring property, collecting rent, and sending unsuspecting relatives directly to jail without passing GO. He considers himself a brilliant businessman.

Then someone told him about Montana rancher Bill Nefsy, who needed financing to expand his ranching operation in 1953. When the local banks wouldn't make him an agricultural loan, he did what any perfectly reasonable rancher would do.

He bought a bank.

Milburn was speechless. It was BRILLIANT.

All those years he'd spent rolling dice, buying railroads, and putting up hotels, and it had never occurred to him to simply purchase the bank.

He immediately began investigating. Unfortunately, the more he learned about Stockman Bank, the more confused he became. Nefsy hadn't bought the bank to make himself the richest man on the board. He bought it so Montana farmers, ranchers, and business owners could get the loans they needed.

Milburn consulted his rulebook. There was nothing about helping other players acquire property. In fact, he was fairly certain that was discouraged.

Nevertheless, the idea of owning a bank had taken hold, and Milburn has arrived at Stockman Bank in Bigfork, carrying a perfectly respectable down payment.

Unfortunately, most of it is Monopoly money.

Thankfully, Stockman Bank is still family-owned and not for sale.

Milburn is currently reviewing his options and questioning why he cannot collect $200 every time someone walks through the door. He's also demanding to know who owns Free Parking.

Think Milburn Pumpkinbags deserves your vote in Scarecrows of Bigfork? Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Just vote.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/zJsvQKd/scarecrowvoting?utm_source=chatgpt.com

10/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming Commonwell Marketing to the Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce!

Led by Bigfork-based founder and CEO Sally Mildren, Commonwell Marketing helps businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations and mission-driven brands tell their stories, connect with their audiences and grow.

From marketing strategy and branding to digital marketing, content creation, SEO and customer experience consulting, Commonwell combines creative storytelling with research and data to help organizations figure out what works and make the most of their marketing resources.

We're excited to welcome Sally and the Commonwell Marketing team to the Chamber and to have another experienced marketing resource connected to our Bigfork business community!

Learn more online or call (509) 481-3875.

And be sure to give Commonwell Marketing a like and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

10/27/2026

Meet Mac Pump Kin, Montana Athletic Club's newest workout buddy, a dedicated fitness enthusiast with a pumpkin grin, trusty headphones, and a straw-stuffed six-pack.

Mac takes his fitness seriously. Himself, considerably less so.

He has one goal: to lift weights, lift spirits, and prove that being built like a scarecrow is no excuse for skipping leg day.

His workout routine is impressive. Plenty of squats, a respectable amount of weightlifting, and absolutely no guts.

Literally.

Mac's approach to nutrition is somewhat unconventional. He's a firm believer in seasonal eating, particularly pumpkin spice anything. His personal trainer is still trying to determine whether pumpkin pie counts as a vegetable.

Mac is considering a different personal trainer.

He's also discovered the benefits of recovery at the Elysian Institute, conveniently located right inside the MAC. He's particularly interested in red light therapy, although he's been warned that it won't do anything for his orange complexion.

Mac's six-pack, meanwhile, remains a work in progress. Despite his dedication to the weights, it still requires occasional restuffing.

But Mac isn't discouraged. He's got his headphones, his dumbbells, and an entire gym full of people who know that fitness is about showing up, putting in the work, and enjoying yourself along the way.

Think Mac deserves your vote in Scarecrows of Bigfork? Cast your ballot. Either way, he's determined to keep pump-kin iron.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/zJsvQKd/scarecrowvoting

10/27/2026

Ever wonder what happens in the woods when nobody's watching?

Bears, mountain lions, wolves, and all the other wild neighbors we share this corner of Montana with have their own lives going on, whether we're watching or not!

Join Swan Valley Connections on Friday, October 30, for Where the Wild Things Roam, a trail camera movie night at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts .

They'll be sharing some of their favorite trail camera footage from the Swan Valley, giving us a rare look at the wildlife that calls this incredible landscape home. SVC staff will be there to share stories, explain some of the behaviors caught on camera, and answer questions.

Doors open at 5pm, the screening begins at 5:30pm, and a Q&A follows at 6:45pm. Tickets are $15.

The evening is also part of Swan Valley Connections' Wild for Wildlife October matching campaign.

Come see what our wild neighbors have been up to!

Get your tickers: https://www.swanvalleyconnections.org/events-calendar

Footage captured and edited by Luke Lamar

10/26/2026

There are many things to fear during Halloween. Ghosts. Goblins. Things that go bump in the night.

And then there's D. Audit-Hertz.

Special Agent D. Audit-Hertz, of the Internal Revenue Service, has arrived in Bigfork armed with a Form 1040, a bag of suspiciously acquired cash, and a deeply unsettling enthusiasm for tax compliance.

Yes, that's his real name. And yes, the audit hurts.

His official motto? "It's Nothing Personal."

Which, as anyone who's ever been audited can tell you, is exactly what someone says just before things become extremely personal.

Agent Audit-Hertz has already begun making his rounds. He's requested receipts, questioned several scarecrows about their employment status, and opened an investigation into whether Halloween candy constitutes taxable income.

The local witches are particularly concerned about his questions regarding unreported broom mileage.

He's also reportedly looking into the financial affairs of a certain gentleman who recently won an entire pumpkin patch in a poker game.

Fortunately, Chrysler & Gordon CPA is standing by to help Bigfork residents navigate the complexities of tax season, keep their records in order, and avoid attracting unnecessary attention from gentlemen with unusually large mustaches.

Agent Audit-Hertz insists he has nothing against taxpayers. He simply believes everyone deserves a thorough examination. Preferably annually.

Think D. Audit-Hertz deserves your vote in Scarecrows of Bigfork? Cast your ballot. Voting is free, although he's currently investigating whether it should be.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/zJsvQKd/scarecrowvoting

10/25/2026

Deep in the forests surrounding Bigfork, there is said to be a creature responsible for collecting all the things that don't quite belong anywhere else.

Oddities. Curiosities. Lost treasures. Beautiful things that deserve to be admired.

Known simply as the Keeper of Curious Things, this elegant creature has spent centuries gathering the unusual, the unexpected, and the utterly irresistible.

Its appearance is something of a mystery. The antlers suggest a woodland origin. The flowers and vines reveal a close relationship with nature. And the magnificent flowing cloak lends an air of quiet grandeur to an already extraordinary presence.

Naturally, the Keeper considers itself the rightful guardian of The West's Most Whimsical Store.

And who could argue?

Electric Avenue Gifts is a place where the delightful, the unusual, and the unexpected are celebrated in equal measure.

The Keeper now stands watch outside, a vision of woodland elegance, quietly overseeing the treasures within.

Its standards are exceptionally high.

Its taste is impeccable.

This enchanting creation was designed by Paul Mutascio and artist Jill Gotschalk.

Think the Keeper of Curious Things deserves your vote in Scarecrows of Bigfork? Cast your ballot. The Keeper considers votes a particularly charming addition to its collection.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/zJsvQKd/scarecrowvoting

10/24/2026

Meet Professor Hootenanny. Art critic, amateur historian, and a bird who has never once questioned his own intellectual superiority.

The Professor arrived at the Bigfork Art & Cultural Center after hearing that it was a place devoted to art, history, culture, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Naturally, he assumed they were expecting him.

He was initially quite impressed. An art gallery featuring Montana artists, a museum preserving Bigfork's history, and a full calendar of lectures, exhibits, and cultural events. Finally, he thought, an institution worthy of his considerable talents.

Then he discovered the art classes.

Painting. Ceramics. Children's workshops. Creative gatherings for adults. Apparently, people were being encouraged to make art themselves, with very little regard for whether they possessed the proper credentials.

The Professor found this troubling and began offering unsolicited critiques.

His suggestions were politely ignored.

Undeterred, the Professor has since taken up residence outside BACC, where he has appointed himself Curator of Unusual Objects.

The staff hasn't had the heart to tell him that his position is entirely imaginary.

Think the Professor deserves your vote in Scarecrows of Bigfork? Cast your ballot. He considers it a peer review, although he has very few peers.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/zJsvQKd/scarecrowvoting

10/23/2026

There's something about Ol' Doc that suggests he knows a thing or two about wh***ey. He's got the look of a man who doesn't say much, but when he does, it's probably worth listening.

And tucked into his pocket? A bottle of Twisted Trail Montana Huckleberry Bourbon, the brand-new release from
Whistling Andy Distilling.

He seems rather pleased with himself. And frankly, he should be.

Since opening in Bigfork in 2010, Whistling Andy has been making exceptional craft spirits, earning awards and loyal fans along the way. Founder Brian Anderson named the distillery after his father, whose nickname during his military service was Whistling Andy. As Montana's oldest operating distillery, they're committed to making some of the finest spirits right here in Montana.

Then there's Head Distiller Gabe Spencer, whom you might recognize from Whistling Andy's viral TikTok videos. Apparently, making excellent wh***ey and entertaining the internet are both part of the job description these days.

Together, they've built a reputation for doing things the right way: Montana-grown grains, real ingredients, and a willingness to experiment until they get it just right.

Which brings us right back to their newest creation: Twisted Trail Montana Huckleberry Bourbon.

The authentic, bright flavor of Montana huckleberries, balanced with the warmth of bourbon and a remarkably smooth finish. Not overly sweet, not artificial-tasting, and just enough wh***ey character to remind you what you're drinking.

Even people who don't ordinarily drink wh***ey might find themselves asking for another taste. Our cowboy, however, appears to have skipped the tasting stage and gone straight to securing his own bottle.

You'll find Whistling Andy Distillery and Andy's Crafthouse in Uptown Bigfork, where you can sample their spirits, enjoy great food and cocktails, and who knows? Maybe make a cameo in one of Gabe's viral videos.

Think Ol’ Doc deserves your vote in Scarecrows of Bigfork? Cast your ballot. As for that bottle of wh***ey? Ol’ Doc says, “I’m your huckleberry.”

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/zJsvQKd/scarecrowvoting