Our annual 4th of July celebration was once again a stunning success, -thanks to our fun-loving, creative guests, our hard-working staff and of course another beautiful Montana summer evening. The evening starts out with the buggy parade from the Wilderness Outpost to the Cookshack. The competition seems to get tougher and tougher every year as our guests try to outdo one another to have the most festive and creative (sometimes a little too creative) decorated Mountain Buggy or Greenough Clean Machine in hopes of taking home the coveted “Best Buggy Award” –think of the bragging rights at the yacht club or boardroom when you bring that baby home! The buggies in this year’s parade included the Uncle Sam buggy complete with marching Statue of Liberty’s and multiple Uncle Sam’s , a 4th of July Montana-Style buggy and the ultimate winner, a Greenough Clean Machine transformed in to a glamping tent complete with timber frame by the Cohn family.
Following the parade, the guests participated in traditional lawn games including sack races; pass the orange and the scandalous team event “eating a donut on a licorice rope”. After a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by restaurant server, Beth Clausen, guests were invited to Chef Coffel’s Regional American BBQ. Throughout the evening guests participated in scored activities including Sporting Clays, Fly Casting, Water Balloon slingshot, paint ball and archery. The final competition of the evening was the world-famous pie eating contest and the West family’s showing in the top three enabled them to claim the top prize in the 4th of July Family Competition.
As dark settled on the Blackfoot Valley, guests gathered around the fire pit, the lawn and, in some cases, the bar to enjoy the fireworks display. It was a great show and guests continue to be amazed at how impressive the fireworks show is year after year.
The guests loved the evening and many rebooked immediately for next year. The competition for Best Buggy and Family Competition in 2010 promises to be even more intense than this year, so if you are joining us next year, get you game face on, you’re going to need it.
-Jim Nielsen